What i love about elbow is...

...The little talky bits that appear between, at the end and in the middle of songs!
From Beeeeer, to "If i'm listening to that, then i can't beatbox" i love that little window into that band of five!
So what weird and wonderful thing seal your love for the mighty 'bow?

Lyrics that I could never write, and sounds I could never create.

What I love about Elbow is their mixture between old and new. The old Genesis and Floyd on one side, the triphop influences on the other side. Mostly on their first record.

What I love about Elbow is... ... ... ... ... Too hard to put into words.

... sharing part of their love affair with Manchester, almost the 6th band member. Ever since growing up in a provincial backwater, it's always been the big city beacon of what's best in music, culture and people. Elbow epitomise all of that with heart.

mrswoman wrote:

... sharing part of their love affair with Manchester, almost the 6th band member. Ever since growing up in a provincial backwater, it's always been the big city beacon of what's best in music, culture and people. Elbow epitomise all of that with heart.

wow...words that fill me with gut wrenching homesickness...

MagicalTrevor wrote:

wow...words that fill me with gut wrenching homesickness...

Oops - sorry MT, not the intention. Ah, but you upgraded to beautiful wide-open countryside, laid-back people, top snowboarding resorts, healthier lifestyles - and mooseburgers.

*shuffles back to the on-topic corner*

No no no, it's OK, it's good to feel homesick I think.

And yeah, the trade off is one I am happy with.

Very, very difficult to encapsulate into words but God loves a trier so here goes.........the fact that they are such humble, grounded lads is a massive pull. That they write about areas both emotionally and physically, close to my heart. The fact I feel like I know them so well, yet will probably never meet them, which is exactly the way I'd want it.

And no other band has ever moved me tears like them, no other band has ever made me think about subjects I'd previously shied away from and no other band has written a song as beautiful as Newborn.

Wow, what don't I love about Elbow? They're a wonderful unit - they all complement each other so well and they have a musical synergy that makes them greater than the sum of their parts. Guy's voice (goes without saying, though I've said it anyway). The emotional resonance of their lyrics. The commitment they have to doing quality work, and to following their own instincts rather than hopping on musical bandwagons. Their support of good social and political causes. Their support of their local scene and their continued presence within their community. Their general good nature, particularly the sense of humor they often display in interviews (Guy + Pete + a few bevvies = an awesome interview. Always.). Their painstaking approach to studio work, and their fantastic energy and enthusiasm on stage. The way they make regret and heartbreak and death and loneliness and all sorts of ungodly pain seem not only bearable but beautiful, and the way they can also reflect joy and love and romance and friendship and family ties and hometown pride so well.

And one more thing: "We still believe in love, so fuck you". Best line ever in any song ever written. Ever.

Beautiful songs, heartfelt lyrics, emotional understanding, clever arrangements, great tunes, fantastic albums, wonderful imagery, thoroughly decent people.

i could go on...

Hmmm I'm not good with words and that ...but all i can think is ...I was trying to describe seeing them to a friend of mine who didn't know anything of them at the time, I said seeing them/ listening to them is like someone giving your heart a cuddle ..sorry if that's a bit 'fluffy' but it's what they make me feel!

redliz2 wrote:

Hmmm I'm not good with words and that ...but all i can think is ...I was trying to describe seeing them to a friend of mine who didn't know anything of them at the time, I said seeing them/ listening to them is like someone giving your heart a cuddle ..sorry if that's a bit 'fluffy' but it's what they make me feel!

that says it all!

Can't really add anymore to this. What wonderful heartfelt words from such dedicated fans.

I only hope that the band members venture upon this thread one day to see what amazing fans they are lucky to have.

Lynne wrote:

I only hope that the band members venture upon this thread one day to see what amazing fans they are lucky to have.

It's pretty certain that they already do.

redliz2 wrote:

Hmmm I'm not good with words and that ...but all i can think is ...I was trying to describe seeing them to a friend of mine who didn't know anything of them at the time, I said seeing them/ listening to them is like someone giving your heart a cuddle ..sorry if that's a bit 'fluffy' but it's what they make me feel!

Yeah, great description redliz2, couldn't have put it much better, if fact, I didn't !!

I would say listening to a whole album is like putting your heart through the wringer. It feels like they encompass so much of the human experience from joy to despair, i do always feel put back together by the end though!

I thought about another reason why I love Elbow so much. I noticed that when they did the Abbey Road-Thing.
It's their coolness. This kind of sleepy but still very emotional sound and the art to be noisy without being "metal" or pompous
That might be the reason too why I don't like the Abbey Road Orchestra Stuff. Strangely I got the feeling that the Elboys felt a bit too that it was a bit too huge. Their comments on that Abbey Road DVD are a bit too ironic, I wish I understood all they were joking about, esp. the things that Guy said during the bombastic ending of "One day like this"
I really laughed my ass off, when they were talking about "Elbow - The Musical" where the artists should wear fatsuits!!
Another reason why I love Elbow, they make sad music but they have a lot humor and take themselfs not too dead serious...