The guys who make up Manchester five-piece rock outfit Elbow have been making music together for over twenty years. Long lost (unjustifiably) amongst Coldplay, Doves, Oasis, Blur, and even U2 (and opening for at least a couple of these UK bands), Elbow have been cranking out beautifully layered and emotive songs since the 2001 (it took about 10 years for the band to actually record a full-length record as “Elbow”) debut LP, Asleep in the Back. It is well known that Elbow have long been the critics’ darling, but until they broke through with the Mercury Prize-winning The Seldom Seen Kid (2008), commercial success and any significant stateside attention remained elusive.
Elbow’s music is unmistakably defined by sweeping, building sonic arrangements and the undeniable beauty of Guy Garvey’s voice. As soon as Guy begins, you know the song is by Elbow, and you know you’re in for a treat. The band’s fifth record, Build a Rocket Boys!, was released in the U.S. on March 7th (Polydor/Fiction). “Lippy Kids” is a slow burning ballad that teases a jump off to a rocking finish, but never really gets there and instead, simmers in wonderful restraint. Guy’s voice is the star instrument in this particular tune, and boy does it shine.
Check out “Lippy Kids” below and buy some Elbow records HERE.