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Review: Jack Foley
FROM the opening acoustic guitar solo and melancholy piano chords
of Station Approach, you know that you're about to listen
to something special.
Elbow's third album, Leaders of the Free World, is exactly
that - an epic, sweeping, awe-inspiring musical journey that has
to rate as one of the most majestic albums of the year.
Guy Garvey and co have crafted a beautiful record that drifts
effortlessly between moments of haunting melancholia, inspiring
rock and tender love songs.
It is very much reflective of their home town environment, yet
has the sort of scope that guarantees it cannot be pigeon-holed
or written off as more of the same.
Elbow's strength is their diversity. Each song is a departure
of sorts, despite being anchored by Garvey's distinct vocal style
- a cross between Doves and the husky tones of Peter Gabriel.
Recent single, Forget Myself, is typical of the quality;
an atmospheric hymn to the weekend rituals of the normal British
resident, which adopts the traditional multi-layered approach
that the band use in all of their music.
The chorus, especially, is a rousing affair that is sure to be
embraced by fans as an anthem.
Highlights include the wonderfully slow-building opening track,
Station Approach, that takes the aforementioned piano
chords on a rollercoaster ride of emotion - adding layer upon
layer on the way to its head-spinning crescendo.
Mexican Standoff features a blistering guitar riff and
is evidence of the rockier side of the album, emerging as the
most vibrant track Elbow have recorded in a while. It's terrific
stuff.
While the laidback beats and quirky guitars of Picky Bugger
offer a tremendous backdrop to the frustrated vocals that accompany
it ('drinking, in order to feel, thinking, reinventing the wheel').
A falsetto chorus merely adds to the feeling that this is an
album upon which Elbow have continued to stretch themselves creatively
- it seldom stays still.
Even when delivering a ballad, the band show the mainstream how
it's done, with Garvey's soft style perfectly complimenting the
blissful riffs and piano chords.
There is an inherent sadness in tracks like The Everthere,
as well as a stark beauty, that bring a tear to the eye while
warming the heart.
Yet Leaders of the Free World is exactly that sort of
album - one which delivers a wealth of emotion in an intelligent
and thought-provoking fashion.
It is a stunning effort that's not to be missed.
Related stories: Read
our review of Elbow's Cast of Thousands
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