First time viewer, loved the video! Elbow is probably my favorite band and has been since 2001. Being American, I don't think I've ever met anyone who actually knew who they were before I introduced to them to them. This is definitely in my top 10 songs by Elbow, and while I could go on a bit as to why, I want to point out that there IS a sort of transition or opening-up that happens at 6:40: it moves from a 4/4 to triple-time, 6/4 feel: you can subtly feel the shift from counting 1-2-3-4 to a quicker 1-2-3, 1-2-3 articulated by the high-hat, but the pulse of the bass drum and tambourine continue at the same speed. So while technically the underlying pulse or tempo stays continual throughout, there is a sort of speeding up in meter that happens at that moment. There are other shifts in instrumentation at that point too that go along with it, but the shift in metrical time I think has the most impact. That moment tends to give me goosebumps! Anyway, I really appreciated your thoughtful reaction to this, and I look forward to others!
You really need to check out Elbow: "The Birds", "The Night Will Always Win", "Station Approach", "The Fix". You are bypassing their best melodies. You should do a back to back of "The Night Will Always Win" and "The Fix". One will make you cry, and the other will make you laugh.
Elbow are well known for their festival anthems, big hit songs meant for emotional crowd sing alongs. But they have always had these more sombre torch songs. This sounds more like contemporary Elbow, as they have focused more on lower key stuff.
Glad you liked this. When I first heard this in my naivety I thought of it as a love song, wanting to end the day relaxing, or switching off, with someone you love. In my case she thought it was odd I'd put this song on because it was about death. Ah well, she was mostly right. Somewhere there was a video of an elbow gig in Manchester where he clarified, like you said, that it was a song about a conversation about choosing your life's final moments. Relationship goofs aside, its a great song, one of my favorites on the album and yes, guy Harvey's rich warm vocal chords that make it. I don't know if you ever heard Lippy Kids or Great Expectations, which are others that despite a sparse musical landscape, still paint a rich scene. And then drown your sorrows with some Sad Captains, find some Open Arms to pick you up, dance as you Forget Myself and enjoy the grungy dirge of Any Day Now, theatrical Fix is in, creepy McGreggor, crescendo-ing New Born and realize Elbow are Friends of ours, Everthere like a mate down the pub, singing all these varied things With Love. Alright, maybe got a wee bit carried away there. Glad you like what you've heard so far off Elbow. Since you might be picking one for someone else, take a look and see if there is an #Elbowroom's version on youtube. It's kind of a cool, if very 2020, thing they did.
It's a slow burner isn't it? It passed me by the first time I heard it on the album but then it just grew and grew. And yeah, it's Guy's voice isn't it? It's like being sung to by a friend. It feels like if I met him I'd be completely at ease with him straight away, like you could sit in a bar with him. With a lot of front men and women I think I'd be a little intimidated/wary/starstruck/nervous (delete as applicable) but not with this guy. Seen them live a couple of times and that's what he's like onstage too.
First time viewer, loved the video! Elbow is probably my favorite band and has been since 2001. Being American, I don't think I've ever met anyone who actually knew who they were before I introduced to them to them.
This is definitely in my top 10 songs by Elbow, and while I could go on a bit as to why, I want to point out that there IS a sort of transition or opening-up that happens at 6:40: it moves from a 4/4 to triple-time, 6/4 feel: you can subtly feel the shift from counting 1-2-3-4 to a quicker 1-2-3, 1-2-3 articulated by the high-hat, but the pulse of the bass drum and tambourine continue at the same speed. So while technically the underlying pulse or tempo stays continual throughout, there is a sort of speeding up in meter that happens at that moment. There are other shifts in instrumentation at that point too that go along with it, but the shift in metrical time I think has the most impact. That moment tends to give me goosebumps!
Anyway, I really appreciated your thoughtful reaction to this, and I look forward to others!
You really need to check out Elbow: "The Birds", "The Night Will Always Win", "Station Approach", "The Fix". You are bypassing their best melodies. You should do a back to back of "The Night Will Always Win" and "The Fix". One will make you cry, and the other will make you laugh.
The challenge in reacting to these is that I know them all. May give one of them to Andy on this channel.
Great T-shirt by the way. I think the guy in the clip had a rush of blood when he realised The Killers were doing a Joy Divivion cover.
Elbow are well known for their festival anthems, big hit songs meant for emotional crowd sing alongs. But they have always had these more sombre torch songs. This sounds more like contemporary Elbow, as they have focused more on lower key stuff.
Their first two albums are beautiful.
This nearly made me crash the car when first hearing it on the radio. Took me to another place ... with a thump in the chest.
The power of music.
Can’t go wrong with Elbow….btw, they once referred to themselves as prog rock without guitars.
Interesting.
For a different direction by Guy try Angela's eyes off his solo album. Class.
Glad you liked this. When I first heard this in my naivety I thought of it as a love song, wanting to end the day relaxing, or switching off, with someone you love. In my case she thought it was odd I'd put this song on because it was about death. Ah well, she was mostly right. Somewhere there was a video of an elbow gig in Manchester where he clarified, like you said, that it was a song about a conversation about choosing your life's final moments.
Relationship goofs aside, its a great song, one of my favorites on the album and yes, guy Harvey's rich warm vocal chords that make it.
I don't know if you ever heard Lippy Kids or Great Expectations, which are others that despite a sparse musical landscape, still paint a rich scene. And then drown your sorrows with some Sad Captains, find some Open Arms to pick you up, dance as you Forget Myself and enjoy the grungy dirge of Any Day Now, theatrical Fix is in, creepy McGreggor, crescendo-ing New Born and realize Elbow are Friends of ours, Everthere like a mate down the pub, singing all these varied things With Love.
Alright, maybe got a wee bit carried away there. Glad you like what you've heard so far off Elbow.
Since you might be picking one for someone else, take a look and see if there is an #Elbowroom's version on youtube. It's kind of a cool, if very 2020, thing they did.
Loved your input on this, Chris. So, honest, and fun! No, you didn't get carried away!
Try Friend of Ours
I know some Elbow, but I don't know the one you've referenced. I will avoid it for the time being if you want to chuck it my way, BK.
It's a slow burner isn't it? It passed me by the first time I heard it on the album but then it just grew and grew. And yeah, it's Guy's voice isn't it? It's like being sung to by a friend. It feels like if I met him I'd be completely at ease with him straight away, like you could sit in a bar with him. With a lot of front men and women I think I'd be a little intimidated/wary/starstruck/nervous (delete as applicable) but not with this guy. Seen them live a couple of times and that's what he's like onstage too.