Comments on: Reaching back to Elbow's Cast Of Thousands

By: Nicktroptopolis

Nicktroptopolis — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:11:30 +0000

Leaders of the Free World was the one that set me off. I had CoT and liked it (especially Fugitive Motel), so I bought LotFW the day it was released, but never really listened to it. Then a couple of years later I was listening to a random playlist, and The Everthere came up. I listened to it about a 20 times in a row, and have been absolutely in love with them ever since (also I’d like to put that forward as the Loveliest)

They’ve been pretty much doing consecutive tours here in the uk for the past year or so, and saw them both times they played my city. As awesome as they are, both recorded and live, they didn’t really change the setlist that much. I think the first time they closed with Cast of Thousands, and the second with Station Approach, and shifted the order around a bit but they seemed otherwise similar. They did have some surprises though, including Great Expectations and Red, neither of which I’d have thought would be obvious, so I’m not complaining. Also how can you fault a band that makes a crowd sing Rod Stewart’s “Sailing” before the encore?

By: twobirdsonestonepr

twobirdsonestonepr — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:49:00 +0000

“Cast of Thousands” was the one that did it for me. I was writing for a small magazine in Indiana and that landed on my desk. I remember when the choir kicked in with “and let the SUN INSIDE” and I seriously lost my shit.

That album will always stay with me.

Aaron

By: Dipp

Dipp — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:48:24 +0000

Glad you’re loving Cast of Thousands. That album became an obsession for me in the summer of 2004.

If only they did that whole double-bill thing again with Doves…

By: alan

alan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:28:19 +0000

in related news, The Acorn will be opening for both Elbow and Fleet Foxes in the UK this winter…

supporting FLEET FOXES

02/23 London / Roundhouse
02/25 Paris / La Cigale

supporting ELBOW

02/28 Brighton / Dome
03/01 Southend / Cliffs Pavilion
03/02 Bournemouth / Solent Hall
03/03 Sheffield / Academy
03/05 Newcastle / Academy
03/06 Edinburgh / Corn Exchange
03/07 Blackpool / Empress Ballroom
03/09 Arena / Llandudno
03/10 Bristol / Colston Hall
03/11 Plymouth / Pavilions
03/12 Newport / Centre
03/13 London / The Windmill Brixton *
03/14 London / Wembley Arena
* not with elbow

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:35:00 +0000

I worked with these guys for 5 years and can’t say a bad thing about them, consummate pros and the nicest bunch of guys ever. They tried forever to break in the US but to no avail. They loved coming to Canada and I would expect to come here soon to support Seldom Seen Kid. The songs on Asleep In The Back take on new life live, made me appreciate the album even more.

By: christian

christian — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:18:34 +0000

Cast Of Thousands is MAGIC. Easily their best.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:45:17 +0000

Frank, I couldn’t agree more… Listening to Cast of Thousands makes me feel alive. Particularly the over-driven screams in “Snooks (Progress Report)”. Wow.
I guess I might beg to differ with you about their loveliest song, though. I would humbly nominate “Great Expections” (from “Leaders of the Free World”), not only for its gorgeous melody but for its inventive and heartbreaking lyrics.
Keep your powder dry!

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:21:34 +0000

Well said Frank

Elbow are simply amazing and although I rate both their latest offering and the one previous highly I too adore Cast Of Thousands