Hi!!!
In recent weeks, I've considered doing an album review on my blog. Music is something that is a real passion of mine. I am, however, very conscious of the fact that I am not a musician, and am not aware of the right words to use and can only tell you how the music affects me. However, I hope this will work to my advantage and make this more relatable to you as a reader.
I decided to review an album by one of my favourite bands (if not my favourite) so that I'd feel more comfortable with the whole thing. So, here it goes. I will warn you now, this will be a lengthy post.
I'd just like to reiterate what I said previously about me not being a musician, or a musical expert. I do, however, enjoy listening to music and have opinions I would like to share. I have given my 100% honest views. I am not working with any brands/companies on these reviews nor am I interested. Also, while you are free to share your thoughts in the comments, be respectful of others, and be aware of the work that goes into albums. Ta very muchly.
The Album.
The Seldom Seen Kid is Elbow's fourth studio album.
Track List.
Track One - Starlings.
Track Two - The Bones of You.
Track Three - Mirrorball.
Track Four - Grounds For Divorce.
Track Five - An Audience With The Pope.
Track Six - Weather To Fly.
Track Seven - The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver.
Track Eight - The Fix.
Track Nine - Some Riot.
Track Ten - One Day Like This.
Track Eleven - Friends Of Ours.
Track Twelve/Bonus Track - We're Away.
Song by Song Review.
Track One - Starlings.
The introduction to this song is really unique, with an almost chant like feel. I like the use of interesting instruments during the introduction as well as the vocals and how it leads into beautiful music, which to me, sounds like flight and gracefulness.
The lyrics are clear and beautifully written, with Guy Garvey's voice really guiding the lyrics. The message of this song is beautifully conveyed.
This piece just flows and drifts, and despite the constant change in the music and vocal volume and tempo, it somehow all comes together in a gorgeous way.
I feel like this piece really shows just how exceptionally talented Elbow are as a band, and also as artists.
I really love this song.
Track Two - The Bones Of You.
This song has a slight folky theme. I really like the simplicity of the music, because it is still so effective. It doesn't overbear, but it doesn't fade away into the background.
The bridge of this song has a nod to rock which I like, as it is like all the emotion of the song has built up to that release.
The music speaks for itself here, and almost resembles the mind, in a strange way.
I really like the lyrics of this song, and the emotion that comes through strongly.
Personally, I find that you can connect with this song instantly and this really appeals to me.
I'd also like to mention the ending of this song. It's faded and simple and lovely. I feel like it adds a really personally touch.
Track Three - Mirrorball.
Mirrorball is one of my favourite songs, I'd just like to point that out now.
Mirrorball is such a soft, gentle piece.
The lyrics of this song are so, so gorgeous, and Guy Garvey's voice is stunning in this piece. This song is beautiful, and it really stands out for me on this album.
The music is complimentary to everything else in this piece, and completes the song.
This track really showcases the talents of Elbow.
Listen to this and you'll see exactly what I mean.
Track Four - Grounds For Divorce.
I really like this. I think it would be fair to say that this isn't necessarily typical Elbow, but it really works.
On listening to this, I see that this result is what lots of other artists aim for in their work, but I think that, in a way, only Elbow could do this.
The music is modern and yet classic. It has a nods to rock, alternative and indie music all in one, I think.
Lyrics are, as per usual, amazing. The lyrics here are bitter - is that the right word? - and yet are not aggressive and meaningless. How do they do it?
Track Five - An Audience With The Pope.
Unique, is how I feel I can best describe the actual music of this song.
An Audience With The Pope is really pleasing to the ears. It's relaxed, and feels like an insight into somebody's mind. The lyrics are so great, and I highly enjoy listening to this song.
This song has a laidback, near 1960's style - or at least that's what I can hear. The music here is lovely as are the lyrics, and I think they are a really good pairing.
It fits together well and I don't think it gets enough credit. I like this one a lot.
Track Six - Weather To Fly.
Gentle, flowing, amazing.
Weather To Fly is just lovely. It is such easy listening, and such a sweet sound.
The lyrics are meaningful and wonderful. They speak in a delicate way to you as a listener and the music is so complimentary.
I feel like Elbow really struck on something here and I think this is one of those hidden gems you find on albums and I'm proud to have found it. To me, its softly conveyed message made it even nicer to listen to, because it could have easily been thrown at my face and it wasn't - it was soothing and well thought out.
Lovely stuff.
Track Seven - The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver.
Heavy, strong drums begin this and guide it throughout.
This is one of the less known pieces Elbow have crafted and yet it is so emotional, beautiful and incredibly powerful.
The piece finishes with gentle, emotive ascending music.
The lyrics and music is just amazing and I cannot find fault.
I haven't written much for this one, because I don't think I'd say what I want to say about it.
It is just gorgeous.
Well done lads.
Track Eight - The Fix.
The Fix is almost Latin American-y. It's almost Cuban - is that just me?
Rich music, rich vocals, rich lyrics. Gotta love it.
I do quite like this, as it is unusual and different.
This makes my ears happy, and I think that its a lovely piece of work, with lots and lots of layers and depth. It's intriguing and unique.
Track Nine - Some Riot.
I really, really like this.
Some Riot is a stunning piece of work. It wouldn't be out of place in a performance i.e theatre or film - and that should only be taken as a compliment and not as anything else.
I really love the way this sounds. I love the sentiment behind this song, and the raw and edgy feel that it has.
It has the ability to transport you to another place in your mind which I find amazing and fascinating.
Music like this reminds me why I listen to music in the first place.
Track Ten - One Day Like This.
I would recognise this song anywhere, and I can pick it out from a mile away.
This song is an anthem, and a king among music. This song matters to so many people, and this is one of my most favourite songs in the world.
The music can only be described as gorgeous.
The lyrics can only be described as sublime.
The vocals can only be described as amazing.
All together, they can only be described as legendary art.
This song can fill me with joy and optimism - no matter what.
This song is one of Elbow's most famous, and rightly so. It is one of the most amazing things, and I love this song to absolute eternity. I cannot recommend you listening to this song enough.
It is utter perfection.
Track Eleven - Friends Of Ours.
A gem from the album. Its calming, its soothing.
Friends Of Ours is just delightful and a pleasure to listen to. It is a really special piece of music in my eyes and I could listen to it for a long time.
There is something about Friends Of Ours which I can't quite place, but it really makes this piece wonderful.
Its very, very good stuff.
Track Twelve/Bonus Track - We're Away.
This song is sounds so sweet and peaceful.
Thank goodness my album has this bonus track, because it is so lovely.
It is the shortest track on the whole album, and yet it is so special, personal, and filled with beauty.
I really do have a soft spot for We're Away, and I do not think it gets nearly enough recognition.
The Final Notes.
If I had to rate this album between one and five stars,
I personally would award it five stars.
It is a work of art and beauty.
I would highly recommend you listen to it, buy it and just in general listen to it, because as far as I am concerned I cannot see you regretting it in any way.
Right then, well I hope you enjoyed this post. You have no idea how long I have been working on this, but I am proud of the end result. I hope that I can do more posts like this in the future, because I found this a whole lot of fun.
Are you interested in this album? If you have listened to it before, do you have a favourite song from it? What do you think of Elbow? Let me know in the comments.
That is it for today then, guys. I will speak to you very soon.
Have a marvellous day!
GingerSnaps xxx
