As the weekend begins, it will be with a return to the Avalon to catch the tour-closing stop by Elbow.For those unfamiliar with the band, they sound like the good parts of Coldplay, with lyrics like Aimee Mann (or Jon Brion or Michael Penn or Fiona Apple...basically any of those hanging out at Largo), and sung by Peter Gabriel. And that still may not sum them up accurately.
Critically acclimed yet sales-deficient, the band has put out four albums of of Britpop with a sentimental and solumn edge. Framed perfectly with the music, the lyrics are often pure and heartfelt, whether earnest requitings of love or juggling the complicated emotions of getting by from day to day. There is a very working class, everyman feel to the songs (like Springsteen and Mellencamp are to Americana), and if you were having a pint and looked over to see the boys from Elbow having a time, you'd think nothing out of the ordinary. While not rocking as hard as, say, Muse, Elbow still kicks it up and plays a balance of grooves and anthemic melodies with thier tranquil and delicate tunes.
After a brutal week of work and multiple 12 hour days, I'm looking forward to unwinding at their performance.
UPDATE: What a great show! I was particularly impressed with how much more intense and alive the songs were in concert. My regret was that they shied away from Asleep In The Back and Cast Of Thousands, their earlier albums, which I am far more familiar with and fond of, but having heard the tunes of Leaders Of The Free World and The Seldom Seen Kid, I certainly have greater appreciation for them. And I think that's the mark of a very good band, who can still manage a strong showcase with newer material. Scarlett came as my escort to the show, and she was also impressed with them, having agreed to go with no knowledge of their music - another strong mark for the band.
And thanks to the glory of technology, you can enjoy some of the show I did:
"Starlings"
"The Bones Of You"
"The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver"
1 comment:
woah, that's wild. I didn't know they were coming to town. I'm late to the elbow wagon, but you'll be happy to know that i've been/will be playing "mirrorball" in my classes for a few days. I've played "any day now" before, and i'll cycle it back again eventually. Elbow is good for a grooving, sun-salutin yoga experience. and i like to use my elbow when i'm going down on my woman, since my fingers and tongue get tired.
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