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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Leaders of the Free World, Elbow's third album, sees the band try to beat down their major league contemporaries (Coldplay, Doves) with a more ambitious set of songs. In truth, they didn't need to try so hard; Elbow have arguably been making better and more interesting music than most of their mainstream compadres since they formed in 1990. That said, the results here are undoubtedly impressive and may form the band's best work yet. Beginning with the beautiful, slow-building "Station Approach", and ending with the short but touching "Puncture Repair", Leaders of the Free World takes in an a host of minor classics along the way. From the captivating strums of "Picky Bugger" and the sonorous chimes of "The Stop" to the massively captivating title track and the funereal waltz of "Great Expectations", the record's elliptical nature only adds to its enchanting qualities. If this doesn't confirm Elbow's status as superior musicians/arrangers and underline Guy Garvey's abilities as a master storyteller, nothing will. --Paul Sullivan
Product Description
STANDARD EDITION : Glorious 2005 album of emotive pop 'n' soaring rock outta Manchester! Includes "Forget Myself".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the pleasures of music is discovering a band early in their career and watching them grow and mature until they produce the album that you always suspected they were capable of. So it is with myself, Elbow and 'Leaders of the Free World'.
For me, the highlights of 'Asleep in the Back' and 'Cast of Thousands' were 'Powder Blue' and 'Fugitive Motel' respectively. So is there anything on the new album that reaches the heights those two tracks attained? Well maybe not quite, but taken as a whole, this is a wonderful album which displays a level of song writing and craftsmanship rarely seen these days.
It is some time since I owned an album in which I have felt confident enough to play every track from start to finish without worrying about 'that weaker track' or the usual 'fillers' (and OK Computer may be the last one, which gives some indication of how highly I rate this).
Highlights are too many to mention and like all good albums, keep revealing themselves with each listening, but 'Great Expectations' is pure Elbow. Beautiful melody, and heart-rending lyrics from which Guy Garvey drains every last ounce of emotion. If this song doesn't bring to you tears, then nothing will.
After years of promising so much, Elbow have finally delivered. My only worry now is how they'll manage to follow this. 'Leaders of the Free World' is their best album to date by a country mile, and although I haven't rubbed salt and pepper into my hair just yet, it's going to take a great deal of time and effort from the band to match this one. In the meantime though, this should just be enjoyed for the intimate, thought-provoking, polished piece of work it is.
An absolute gem.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Truly an album that requires repeat listenings. Many, many times will you have to listen to this before you truly appreciate it. On first listen it's pretty enough, nothing new...but the album's genius lies under it's skin.
I reccommend dimming the lights, lying down, playing this at a reasonable volume and listening very carefully to the sounds you're hearing. It's only then when it becomes apparent how unique Elbow are.
Their trick involves compiling sounds together to form a cohesive whole, held together by enthusiastic drumming and bassing. Nowhere better is this exemplified than on the stunning "My Very Best"...I don't know where most of those noises come from, but added to the mix are lush violins, delicate electronics and spidery guitar lines. The cumulative impact is a gorgeous song. It's like building a palace out of gold bricks. The end effect is beautiful, but every single brick is equally beautiful.
See, this album needs time to be picked apart. Listen to the intricate arrangements and appreciate how innovative this band truly are. Their sound is a warm, human sound, perfect for these winter months. Let it seep in and you'll find it soundtracking your life. Personally, I always hear "Station Approach" in my head when I walk through big cities these days.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Regulars of indie night life were introduced to a disquieting concept last month with the release of "Forget Myself", the first single off "Leaders of the Free World". Elbow? Them drab Mancs, who can't really be called sub-Coldplay because they're too grey, bringing out a dance floor smash? But yes- with pounding drums and a shout along chorus, Elbow are back, clearly with something prove. Although there's nothing else on "Leaders..." that will satisfy the casual Franz fan, the same sense of things coming together for the Bury quintet is tangible throughout. Long-term fans will savour classic slow burners like "The Stops" and "My Very Best", but there's the sarkily spare "Picky Bugger" and the ferocious bite of the title track to consider, too. Guy Garvey's lyrics also seem to get better and better with every listen, with genius lines like 'I feel like I designed the buildings I walk past' and 'they're pacing Piccadilly in packs again' leaping out when you least expect it. "The Everthere" is a heart-wrenching take on "When I'm 64", whilst the man in "Great Expectations" is so drenched in love he imagines weddings in the most mundane of settings.
Elbow are part of a very select group of British rock acts, which include in their number Super Furry Animals, British Sea Power and Mogwai, who every few years release yet another masterpiece which their fans devour and the general public largely ignores. No doubt "Leaders..." will attract the same amount of middling interest that "Cast of Thousands" did, but those who own it will know better. Why let the general public have songs as perfect as "An Imagined Affair" and "Station Approach" anyway? This is Elbow's best yet.
Elbow are part of a very select group of British rock acts, which include in their number Super Furry Animals, British Sea Power and Mogwai, who every few years release yet another masterpiece which their fans devour and the general public largely ignores. No doubt "Leaders..." will attract the same amount of middling interest that "Cast of Thousands" did, but those who own it will know better. Why let the general public have songs as perfect as "An Imagined Affair" and "Station Approach" anyway? This is Elbow's best yet.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Elbow - great album
I was pleasantly surprised by this album, great lyrics and a variety of music feels really added to this - good for easy listening
Published 21 days ago by Danielle Forder
Never disappointed!
Like many people, I fell in love with Elbow with the album "Seldom Seen Kid", so wasnt' sure that love affair would last....... Read more
Published 1 month ago by 100 percent Scots
Elbow - Leaders of the Free World
On par with, if not better than previous material, it was a joy to listen to first time and instantly had me hooked. Excellent!!
Published 1 month ago by Dringo
AWESOME
What can you say about this band that hasn't already been said.To me this album is the best elbow album ever. Read more
Published 5 months ago by KIWI
MOVE ON,MORE FISH IN THE SEA
Great album, a couple of songs written after and about the break up in the relationship with edith bowman the bbc dj that he had been seeing for a while, which he sounds... Read more
Published 8 months ago by GEOFF
Good if not great
This is an oddity of an album in that there is no poor track on this album but there is also no truly scintillating track or stand out performer so its a consistently good album... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Anonymous
LATECOMER
Hands up, I have only really started listening to Elbow recently, following their rendition of several songs from 'The Seldom Seen Kid' at Glastonbury. Read more
Published 9 months ago by "Zedman"
Another Powerful Piece Of Music
Read Aldous Huxley's Brave NewWorld then listen to this album will probably give you an idea of this concept and its poigant message,whether you agree with them or not their lyrics... Read more
Published 14 months ago by eloquent
frustrating, sometimes brilliant band.
I,ve owned just a couple of Elbow albums and they were never amongst my favourites, though a couple of tracks ( powder blue, fugitive motel ) are masterpieces. Read more
Published 16 months ago by P. Winthrop
Leaders of the Free World
I like Elbow. Guy Garveys lyrics and voice are unique. It's great to have bands out there that cannot be pigeon holed! Chilled out music.
Published 22 months ago by Chris W.
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