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The Seldom Seen Kid
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List Price: $9.98
Our Price: $9.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0602517642522
Label: Geffen Records
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Geffen Records
Release Date: 2008-04-22
Studio: Geffen Records
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Editorial Reviews:
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Acclaimed for their innovative sound and candid, evocative lyrics, Elbow has received vast critical acclaim and been endorsed by major artists Blur, R.E.M. and U2. Elbow return with a new album, "The Seldom Seen Kid", their follow up to 2005's universally acclaimed Leaders Of The Free World and first for Fiction/Geffen Records. In support of the new set Elbow will be coming stateside kicking things off with a show in New York City April 26, 2008 at Webster Hall. "New Elbow is sublime!!" - SUPERNOVA "Their latest effort deserves to trigger a large-scale love affair. Elbow are at the top of their game" - UNCUT MAGAZINE "Every now and then a great band like Elbow comes along. I am a big fan so its no surprise that I totally love the first song to surface from their upcoming album, The Seldom Seen Kid" - EACH NOTE SECURE
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Sublte Album that Really Sucks You in
Comment: I have been a mild Elbow fan for a few years; there previous couple of albums where enjoyable with a few good cuts that stood out. But where these previous efforts were good to play while doing other things where they became kind of like a score for life at the moment, the new album, The Seldom Seen Kid, becomes more like a soundtrack to life.
I must admit that I missed this album at first listen; it didn't capture my attention. But, after a couple of passes, The Seldom Seen Kid became part of my life. This is a strong effort that surpasses all of Elbow's previous albums. Where previous albums had some catchy tunes that stood out, this album is just plain very good from start to finish with each song building into the next.
The Seldom Seen Kid has promoted Elbow from a middle of the road Prog Rock band to something a few steps removed. The Prog Rock roots are still very evident, but this album is more epic, more sonic. In some ways it reminds me of Radiohead; it is not quite at In Rainbows level and Elbow isn't as sonic as Radiohead, but The Seldom Seen Kid affects my day in the same way that In Rainbows does.
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A Guide to my Music Rating System:
1 star = Not worth the blood dripping from your ears/
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good music, but not life altering.
5 stars = This music changed my world in at least some small way.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Refreshing Sound
Comment: When I got this album, I had no idea what to expect. The description was vague, but I have to say on first listen this album had be hooked.
This album has elements that make it atypical. It has a cross-cultural sound that to me isn't unlike Peter Gabriel's work. What it adds to that sound is strong instrumentation and equally strong vocals. One can't help but feel good after listening to the album as it's ambiance is really uplifting.
It has made me a repeat listener. "Starlings" is really a great intro to the album which puts a strong dynamic sound at regular intervals amongst an otherwise relaxing song. While the dynamic variation is never as strong through the remainder of the album, the melodies, timbre, vocals, and poly-rhythms only get stronger and mix things up enough to make each listen a new experience. All of this variation is subtle enough that the album holds up as a coherent piece that will possibly have a different sound depending on your own mood and emotions.
All I can say, is that this album is a welcome relief as way too much of today's popular music puts everything out front without a challenge to the point where it can get boring. This album never gets boring.
I guess with that in mind this isn't unlike some other greats such as Peter Gabriel, which this album seems to have a loose similarity too. The sound also reminds me a bit of modern day Radiohead minus the vocals (thankfully). In other words, Elbow presents a multi-layered album that will easily stand the test of time. I look forward to exploring more of their albums, and I think an exploring listener should give this album a chance.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I hate to be the dissenter...
Comment: I've held off on my review for such a long time, because, frankly, I just don't LIKE this album. I feel as though I should like it, but the truth is in the listening, and after 4 listens, well, I can't make myself listen anymore. I'm not willing to put in the effort it might take to make me finally catch on to what they're doing.
I don't find anything in the album offensive, but nor does anything particularly grab me. I find the vocals, lyrics and instrumentation, not to mention the arrangements, honestly boring.
I like all kinds of music, really, with my currently most-listened to stuff as of late being John Mellencamp's new album (I love it) and older Goo Goo Dolls albums (love them, too), with some Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine thrown in for good measure.
But, bafflingly enough, I do not like Elbow.
I'm really sorry.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Really good!
Comment: Really, really good band. I hadn't heard of them until I saw them on "Live from Abbey Road". I got the album right away and it is one of my favorites this year. Very tight band with a very good lead singer.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid 6/10
Comment: Manchester Britpop band Elbow is one of the most critically acclaimed bands on their side of Atlantic, but commercial success has continued to elude them, and the group is practically unknown in America. The Seldom Seen Kid, their fourth album, aims to reach wider audiences with its epic brand of indie rock, with vocalist/guitarist Guy Garvey's distinctive British tenor leading the way.
The record starts off with slow burner "Starlings," mostly a bubbling synthesizer and Garvey's tender voice punctuated by occasional blasts of horn. Ultimately boring, the band luckily picks up the pace with the quintessentially British-sounding "The Bones of You," which sounds like a mix of the Verve's intelligent witticisms and Blur's innovative instrumentation.
The highlight of the record is obviously Garvey, whose velvet pipes expertly complement his dreamy storytelling, as is most evident on lead single "Grounds for Divorce," where he describes feelings of nostalgia as "there's a hole in my neighborhood / down which of late I cannot help but fall."
Sadly, Garvey's talents as a songwriter can only go so far, and unfortunately The Seldom Seen Kid suffers from the same affliction as its starting record: it is too ponderous to hold the listener's attention for long. Songs drag along on waves of noise and guitar, with only Garvey's voice to lead a path through the musical bog.
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