Leaders of the Free World

by Elbow

Overview

When Doves headed to the studio for the recording of their third album, 2005's Some Cities, they returned home to Manchester. With that kind of scenic inspiration and emotional attachment, Some Cities resulted in Doves' best of their career at that moment. It is mere coincidence that their musical mates, Elbow, have done the same for their third album, Leaders of the Free World. Such a coincidence is a bit comforting in the respect that Elbow do not stray from what they have previously done. Despite being cast as a gloomy bunch on their first two albums -- 2001's Asleep in the Back and 2004's Cast of Thousands -- Elbow trudge on as an emotional band. Singer/songwriter Guy Garvey doesn't wallow in failed relationships as much as he enjoys being cynical and playful about the world around him. Sure, Elbow's more melodic, pensive moments such as "The Stops" and "The Everthere" are classic heartbreakers, with piano-driven melodies lush in melancholic acoustic guitars and Garvey's somber disposition. Leaders of the Free World really comes to life when Elbow give in, allowing these songs to grow into something glorious. Album opener "Station Approach" and "Forget Myself" are brilliant examples of this. "Forget Myself" metaphorically points fingers at a media-obsessed culture that is equally blase about its own issues. Garvey throws his hands in the air, sighing to himself to "look for a plot where I can bury my broken heart." The album's title track also criticizes a very questionable political system, demanding, "I need to see the Commander in Chief and remind what was passed on to me" as a storm of electric guitars mirrors an anxious, waxing delivery by the band itself -- "Passing the gun from father to feckless son, we're climbing a landslide where only the good die young." Elbow are a great band regardless of what it takes for them to find their footing. Leaders of the Free World is a bit more rock & roll than not, with guts and heart, because Elbow have finally embraced their powerful, surrounding space this time out. [The U.S. version includes a limited-edition DVD of videos for each song on Leaders of the Free World.] ~ MacKenzie Wilson

Product Details

Release Date:	01/08/2021
Label:	Polydor / Universal
UPC:	0602508940439
Rank:	70001

Tracks

1. Station Approach
2. Picky Bugger
3. Forget Myself
4. The Stops
5. Leaders of the Free World
6. An Imagined Affair
7. Mexican Standoff
8. The Everthere
9. My Very Best
10. Great Expectations
11. Puncture Repair

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elbow   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Tom Rothrock   Audio Production,Mixing,Producer
Danny Evans   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Elbow   Audio Production,Composer
Andy Bradfield   Mixing
Stella Page   Performer
Mike Tarantino   Editing,Engineer
Jote Osahn   Performer
Guy Garvey   Composer
Jason Boshoff   Programming
Alexis Smith   Programming
Marius de Vries   Arranger,Producer
Jason Mott   Assistant
David Emery   Assistant,Mixing Assistant
Richard Jupp   Composer
Mark Potter   Composer
Pete Turner   Composer
Craig Potter   Composer
Michael OShaughnessy   Illustrations
Craig Johnson   Design
Dylan Jupp   Laughs