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Elbow
Asleep In The Back


4.0
excellent

Review

by br3ad_man USER (164 Reviews)
January 16th, 2005 | 28 replies


Release Date: 2001 | Tracklist


Elbow - Asleep In The Back

[URL=www.elbow.co.uk]Elbow's Official Site - Listen To Their Songs Here[/URL]

The Band
Guy Garvey - Vocals
Pete Turner - Bass
Richard Jupp - Drums
Mark Potter - Guitars
Craig Potter - Keyboards

Elbow are a "new" English band from Manchester. They have released 2 albums, their debut album "Asleep In The Back" and the follow-up record "Cast Of Thousands". While they have not been in the public eye for very long, they did spend quite a bit of time working on their first record. Incredibly, Elbow spent 10 years making "Asleep In The Back".

Elbow have recieved a fair bit of attention in the last couple of years. They have often been compared to bands such as Coldplay. While a comparison to Coldplay is slightly unfair, they have also been compared to the Doves, which is quite a fair comparison. While their songs are often not as uplifting as many Doves tracks, Elbow put a wide range of emotions into their songs. Quite a bit more than the average guitar rock band coming out of England does these days.

Elbow have a range of experimental sounds in their music. While their music is not overtly experimental, these small sounds make nice touches. They are not pretentious in any way, they are simply used to add to the music. In some of the more eerie songs, they have electronic type beeps in the background. In other more pretty songs, they have some nice background effects to add to the music. A noteable point though is that even without all of the effects, if every single song was nothing but vocals and acoustic guitar, they would still stand up fine. Without vocals, the album would still be interesting and worth listening to. However, in the middle of all of the textures and different sounds, you have an extremely emotional lyricist.

The different moods on the album are rather interesting. You have the very pretty piano based songs such as the title track and "Scattered Black and Whites" and you have extremely eerie, trip-hop sounding songs, such as "Little Beast". Then there's everything in between. While the majority of the album is of a sad mood, it's more to do with getting through problems then crying about it and giving up or saying "I need a hug". The majority of the album is slightly prog-rock. In fact, the band once described themselves (entirely seriously) as being "prog rock without the solos".

While many young and new rock bands come and go, claiming to be in it for the long haul, they soon release mediocore follow-up albums that hit bargain bins in a few months and they fade away into nothing. Elbow aren't likely to be going anywhere soon. With more than 10 years of experience and two solid albums under their belts, Elbow are likely to last a bit longer.

This album is no masterpiece. It is nothing jaw dropping. But it is a great and honest album. There are some absolutely beautiful songs on here and some songs that are just plain cool. If you are a fan of Radiohead, Coldplay, Doves or even Muse, don't look past this album. If you want a quick taste of the band itself, check out the gorgeous "Newborn".

Pros
- Extremely interesting music arrangements
- Emotionally honest lyrics
- There are new things to discover every time you listen
- Great vocals that manage to be sad without being asking you to feel sorry

Cons
- Some boring songs
- Tracks can sometimes drag on a bit
- Could be a bit inaccessible for some listeners
- Production could be a tad better for 10 years of work

Highlight Tracks
Little Beast
Asleep In The Back
Newborn
Scattered Black and Whites

FINAL RATING: 3.8/5



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Comments:Add a Comment 
The Ashtray Girl
November 20th 2004


108 Comments


Elbow are very cool. I've only heard Cast Of Thousands, but now I've read this I'll check out their first album too.

Very good review, easy to read and persuading. :thumb:

br3ad_man
November 20th 2004


2126 Comments


I wasn't too sure about this review, but thanks heaps! You've restored my confidence .

My favourite song off the album is "Scattered Black and Whites"...it's beautiful.

dans107
November 20th 2004


11 Comments


Nice review.

I really didn't like them before I saw them live. Soon changed my mind after the show.

I love Not a Job.

br3ad_man
November 21st 2004


2126 Comments


I thought there would be more people who have heard Elbow than this.

Tangy zizzle
November 21st 2004


253 Comments


Good review.

I didn't know anything about Elbow, now I do.

Thank you for that.

enterwilde
December 28th 2005


57 Comments


you do a really good job of making the sound of this particular band known. great job.

Morvit
March 18th 2006


71 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

anyday now reminds me of radiohead's everything in its right place...don't know why

undertakerpt
July 1st 2006


1649 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Hey man, I'm from Wales and i went to see Muse live and guess who was the support act. Yep, this band are really somthing beacuse they use unusual ways of writing songs. I really like the song Red, which was a single i belive.

samthebassman
May 12th 2007


2164 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Great album.

OneDeadCop112
December 22nd 2008


57 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

There really isn't any other band that sounds like them. Scattered Black and Whites is a great track.

Hydroxybenzo
December 29th 2009


28 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Great review. Liking this album eh, Powder Blue is my favourite though

Asiatic667
September 26th 2010


4651 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This is excellent. Red is an amazing song

dargis49
August 2nd 2017


3 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This album is pretty f'n amazing

Conmaniac
June 15th 2018


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

surprised Asleep hasn't commented on this thread yet wow...

Conmaniac
June 15th 2018


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

amazing album tho yaaaa

zakalwe
August 17th 2018


40148 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This has aged alarmingly well.

Conmaniac
August 17th 2018


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

nice rating mate

zakalwe
August 17th 2018


40148 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Ello dude.

I’m listening to it again with new ears. It’s going to get a bump.

zakalwe
September 22nd 2018


40148 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

You burn too bright

You live too fast

This can’t go on too long

You’re a tragedy starting to happen.







Nice

Observer
Emeritus
December 14th 2019


9453 Comments


Elbow's "Newborn" > Muse's "New born"



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