Cast Of Thousands - Elbow

Elbow are sacred as far as I am concerned. They are one of the few bands that, four albums into their career, still haven't put a foot wrong. Lyrically and musically they stand head and shoulders above their contemporaries and this, their second album, stands out as a very individual album. The first track, ribcage kicks off with a haunting, rhythmic synth sound that sounds a bit like a cuckoo, and gradually builds into a full blown epic, with Guy Garvey singing "To pull my ribs apart and let the sun inside".. Snooks is one of the more experimental Elbow songs, built around a pulsating rythm and one of the nastiest guitar sounds ever put ...

This year has seen so many good albums already. Whether they be debut albums or follow up albums, there have already been a lot. This is another of those follow-ups. Elbow return after 2 years with this album Cast Of Thousands to follow up 2001 debut Asleep in The Back. With the same line up and the addition of a small choir who also play the violins and cello, are Strings without Strings. Following an impressive debut Guy Garvey and the rest of the band had a lot to do to keep to the same sort of standard. The anger from the first album seems to have gone and in its place a more relaxing album is the result. Although that little bit of anger really made the ...