Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

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There are two versions of this Album: The regular version, which was released in 2008, and the live version which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and includes the BBC Orchestra. That was released the following year. Both are excellent and well worth a listen.

Elbow has been around since 1990, when they formed in Manchester. I wasn’t aware of them until this album came out. The first single from the album, called Grounds For Divorce, was talked about and linked to on some long-gone blog I read at the time. The song hits hard after the quieter build finishes. It feels every bit like a dingy neighbourhood pub song as the music video for it portrays, from the thump of the rhythm to the story the lyrics tell to the vocal chant of the band.

I was hooked immediately by this one song, and quickly found out that the entire album is great. The first four songs, especially, are strong, showing singer and lyricist Guy Garvey’s range and storytelling ability. At the same time, the rest of the band is more than talented enough to produce remarkable compositions, ensuring Garvey’s singing doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting alone.

Each song on the album tells a story, with lyrics and music taking you through it all. Elbow doesn’t create many tunes that are full-on pop music and radio-ready, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a joy to listen to.

These songs are melodic and fresh and full of life. Mirrorball is a dreamy ballad about finding a partner that makes you feel like it is just the two of you in the world and nothing else matters. The Bones Of You is a song full in equal parts of love and lost time and regret. Some Riot is a sad but beautiful ode to a friend who has lost themselves in stubbornness and alcohol.

The Fix Is In probably has some profound meaning too, but all I can think about nowadays is the debacle of Brexit and Presidential elections.

I could go on, but you don’t need me to tell you what the songs mean. You just need to listen to the album for yourself.

Cheers,
Evan

Do I have time
A man of my caliber
Stood in the street like a sleepwalking teenager
No.
And I dealt with this years ago
I took a hammer to every memento
But image on image like beads on a rosary
Pull through my head as the music takes hold
And the sickener hits
I can work ’til I break
But I love the bones of you
that I will never escape

Bonus viewing: Elbow – Grounds for Divorce – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23/3/26

Bonus viewing: Elbow live @iTunes festival 2014 at Roundhouse, Camden in London – on YouTube