Comments on: Elbow – Live, ABC Glasgow, Friday 4th April 2008

By: Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid « Song, by Toad

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid « Song, by Toad — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:21:44 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:27:39 +0000

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.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:25:45 +0000

the last track on Some Cities – “Ambition”- is stunning.

By: Euan

Euan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:49:22 +0000

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!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:44:27 +0000

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.

By: Euan

Euan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:18:58 +0000

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??!!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:54:55 +0000

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.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:48:44 +0000

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.

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:37:38 +0000

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.

By: Euan

Euan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:21:46 +0000

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.