Elbow - 'Asleep In The Back' / 'Coming Second' (V2)
4/5
By: Toby L
Consistency is a rare talent amongst musicians. Fair enough, to write a good song - great. To arrange a strong debut LP - brilliant. But to follow both of the previous with a tune as strong as anything already produced by the same act? Rare, but exciting. And that's a perfect description for Elbow.
Their first album was set to include the first part of this A-side, though the track 'wasn't ready in time', according to the guys. Still, with maturing comes the finer taste; the eloquent and simply divine spine to 'Asleep In The Back' is so uplifting and exquisite that it's quite possible your pulse will race and the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Guy Garvey's lyrics and vocals work together impossibly well, causing an emotion to stir similar to that of a reunion between a couple that have been divided for too long.
Yet, this is a double A-side, and thus there's still 'Coming Second' to get a look-in. Much like most of their material, this crawling prog-rocker takes a few listens and a tackle with your ears before you can recognise its raw awesomeness, which culminates in a rich cacophony of messy guitar and synths.
Give it time and Elbow will no longer be in the pedigree of the highly revered songwriters; oh no. Instead, they'll possess the potential to become legends.
Artists in this article: Elbow
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