Elbow | Build A Rocket Boys!

(Fiction/Polydor/Downtown 2011)
By MIRIAM LAMEY  |  April 6, 2011
3.5 3.5 Stars

Elbow main
With the Mercury Music Prize for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid, Elbow took their rightful place among post-Britpop stars. This fifth studio album is a humbly gorgeous collection, propelling an already dynamic band into even more dramatic, heart-wrenching territory. Standout track "Neat Little Rows" builds with chalky, choppy percussion and ringing synth — the perfect foil to a chunky lead riff — while Guy Garvey's voice gives the infectious chorus the power to soar over silvery keys and tambourine. Opener "The Birds" is dripping with typical Elbow beauty, Garvey's soft, mournful vocal melody gliding under layers of drums and reedy guitars. The undercurrent of nostalgia comes to the surface on "Lippy Kids," one of the 11 tracks featuring the Manchester-based Hallé Youth Choir. Insistent, heady piano keeps time as Garvey tells his tale of longing, inviting listeners to picture said "lippy kids on the corner again." It's typical of Elbow's ability to create their own musical universe with honest imagery and evocative songwriting.
  Topics: CD Reviews , Music, Pop, New Music,  More more >
| More


Most Popular
ARTICLES BY MIRIAM LAMEY
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   ART BRUT | BRILLIANT! TRAGIC!  |  May 25, 2011
    On Art Brut's third album, Eddie Argos can't decide if he wants to be Jarvis Cocker or Sid Vicious.  
  •   FREDRICK | FLORA  |  April 13, 2011
    Dreamy Swedish electropop outfit Fredrik bring a mellow collection of tunes stateside with their third album.
  •   ELBOW | BUILD A ROCKET BOYS!  |  April 06, 2011
    With the Mercury Music Prize for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid , Elbow took their rightful place among post-Britpop stars.
  •   THE MOUNTAIN GOATS | ALL ETERNALS DECK  |  March 23, 2011
    The Mountain Goats' 13th studio album is an artfully simple collection featuring narrative-rich lyrics, John Darnielle's flinty, clear vocals, and jangly, driven, acoustic guitars.
  •   BEADY EYE | DIFFERENT GEAR, STILL SPEEDING  |  March 03, 2011
    Beady Eye's eagerly awaited debut represents Liam Gallagher's uninspiring foray into the spotlight without Noel, his battle-weary brother and Oasis's chief songwriter.

 See all articles by: MIRIAM LAMEY