Elbow – Live, ABC Glasgow, Friday 4th April 2008
I bloody love Elbow. I don’t like all of their music, and I am not always a committed lover of their albums, but I love a bloody good chunk of it and as a band I reckon they genuinely are the dog’s bollocks. They emerged from Manchester at about the same time as the briefly phenomenal Doves, but their own brand of slightly more melancholy epic indie rock has decisively outlasted their contemporaries.
I struggled a little for the word epic, because it implies bombast and pomposity, of which Elbow seem to be entirely devoid, but I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the grand sweep of their music without making it seem pretentious, which it genuinely isn’t. In fact, as a band, using the word pretentious would seem like the greatest travesty known to man. I’m not sure if it’s possible to be an internationally famous indie rock band whilst remaining normal, down to earth nice blokes, but if it is possible to be such a band, that band is Elbow.
Having drunkenly accosted Guy Garvey in a club in Edinburgh a couple of years back and miraculously not having been told to fuck right off, despite eminently deserving it, I always suspected he might actually be a genuinely nice bloke. Anyone listening to his show on 6Music will probably confirm this. He’s a handsome devil too – a genuine rock star – albeit in his own slightly portly, dishevelled, disarming Manchester way. In other words, these guys honestly are the Real Deal.
Elbow write music that grabs the heartstrings more than pretty much any other group you can mention, but they do it in such an unassuming way that it only now starts to dawn on me the extent to which they will rightfully be remembered as one of this era’s great bands. Personal, political, grand or small, there’s something about their best songs which simply transport you, take hold of you, and pour every ounce of emotion in the song straight into the very core of your soul.
Now, again, I don’t claim to love every song they’ve ever writtten and I will go so far as to state that Cast of Thousands is a downright mediocre album, but listening to this performance, and the number of euphorically brilliant songs they are able to draw upon, it’s like a massive great big slap in the face reminding me how good this band really are. Sensitive, emotional, sad, and then when they need to crank it up a notch, all hell breaks loose.
And did I mention what nice blokes they seemed. Really, genuinely unaffected by all that ‘being famous’ bollocks. Great, great gig, and I was sober all the way through, believe it or not!
Elbow – Leaders of the Free World
Elbow – Newborn
Elbow – Fugitive Motel Perhaps one of the best songs in the universe. Really.
I really like all 4 of their cds, but apart from that slight difference I agree with you entirely about the gig and about Elbow in general. Whilst thinking that they’re amazing live, the rapport I can recall Guy having with the crowd last time I saw them at the Glasgow ABC stood out for me and it wasthere again on Friday. It’s not just a case of being swept up by the sound they prioduce, but additionally there’s the belief that you could have a great time with them on a social! Without knowing howI can feel Elbow reaching my current summit of musical/live faves! Can’t wait for the next one.
Well I am just getting into their new album. I’ll review it when I’ve listened to it enough, but not just yet.
And I guess you’re right. Seeing gigs like this makes me think I really should go back to Cast of Thousands and have another listen.
I think you should Matthew cause being honest I think the first 2 albums are by far the stornger of the 4. Cast of Thousands is a genuinely beautiful album with some amazing songs and song structures which I think other bands fail top capture. Guy Garvey is a genius song writer and I will always love Elbow. I am gutted I missed the ABC show but seeing them at the Queens Hall a couple years ago was one of my best gig going experiences – just utterly brilliant in every way. I do like the new album a lot – but I think it’s a grower and needs time.
I have absolutely never ever liked an Elbow record on first listen. Even Asleep in the Back took quite a while to sink in properly for some reason. I gave Cast of Thousands a bloody good chance the first time and apart from a few stand-out tracks it didn’t do it for me really. But as you say, seeing that gig I really do think I’ll go back and have another go.
As for the new one, I am really really enjoying it pretty much first time through, which is a surprise, but a pleasant one. Expect a review up in the next few days.
You see – it took me a while to really get the new one – though the first tune is absolutely stunning. I absolutely love them and I love how even when signed to a major label and probably expected to produce something that generates a lot of money, they still create interesting, challenging and beautiful music. And live they are just something amazing. Scattered Black & Whites is one of my favourite tunes ever. You know what, that Guy Garvey is a seriously brilliant song writer, lyricist and vocalist. I am delighted to see you review them on this page. Totally under-rated band.
having not seen elbow before and was worried i had built them up too much and that they might be a dissapointment live – how wrong i was to be…!
the whole set was flawless from beginning to end, with the set list comprising of songs taken from all 4 albums. the group were backed in several songs by a 3-strong string section, which filled out the bands sound to great effect. Guy Garvey’s banter with the crowd was quality as usual with his dry wit having the crowd in the palm of his hand.
the highlight for me was an the brilliant version of ‘Lonlieness of a Tower Crane Driver’ in which Garvey’s vocal was just astounding.
god I hate you.
The closest Elbow is coming is a Chicago show on like a fucking Tuesday.
Anyway, I agree with your sentiments. Such a great band (and btw, I think “Grace Under Pressure” and “Flying Dream” are both equally amazing tracks from “Cast of Thousands”) I’m loving the new album, I mean start to finish, gorgeous (Starlings is a great opener, if i’ve ever heard one).
In summation: I hate you, elbow is awesome.
Oh, and what do you mean, “The briefly phenomenal doves” I think I take umbrage with that, good sir.
Doves? Well I loved their first, liked their second and just tailed off from there really.
Alright you whinging bastards, I’ll have another go at Cast of Thousands then, if you all insist. Sheesh, it’s just demands demands demands with you people, honestly.
Switching Off is one of the most beautiful tunes ever written and pushes Fugitive Motel all the way. Think Ribcage is a stunning opener, Fallern Angel just awesome and Not a Job also amazing and I agree that Grace Under Pressure is brilliant – especially live. So yes, get home tonight and get it on your cd player!!
And Matthew – Doves….how could you diss them??!!
I think they stopped writing compelling songs, simple as that. The urgency and grandeur of their early work slowly vanished if you ask me. I haven’t heard anything very recent, but I genuinely went from rabid fan to completely losing interest over the course of maybe three albums.
fair enough. I still love them. and I reckon if they made a comeback their new stuff would be amazing. or at least I hope it would be!
the last track on Some Cities – “Ambition”- is stunning.
A couple of the tracks on that album are great, it’s just that the album as a whole doesn’t do it for me. They can still write some brilliant songs though.
[...] one has been helped on its way by a brilliant live performance in Glasgow a week or so ago which is likely to have a massive influence on this review, let’s be [...]