All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Stylus Magazine

Cast of Thousands is a great record, beautiful and emotionally powerful as well as musically inventive... a refinement and extension of their vision that will emerge as one of the best records of the year.

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E! Online

[An] elegant mix of jazz, electronica and lush gospel choruses.

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Spin

Finds these thoughtful Brits exploring even more emotional territory. [Mar 2004, p.96]

New Musical Express

A record that anyone who’s ever demanded anything interesting from rock music should hear.

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Uncut

It's human where Radiohead are impenetrable, but complex where Coldplay are banal.... Elbow remain unquantifiably great. [Sep 2003, p.100]

Filter

Possesses a rare beauty and a singluar honesty. [#9, p.111]

Entertainment Weekly

Just when this occasionally draggy album threatens to give in to its own malaise, the band interjects a lound, jarring organ or jagged noise. [23/30 Jan 2004, p.98]

PopMatters

While the first album broods, the 11 songs on this disc are mostly smooth and flowing.

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Outburn

An album of moody, grungy pop with a distinctive British feel that could easily be one of this year's sleeper hits. [#23, p.97]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The song-structures possess Radiohead's abstract bent, but maintain Coldplay's engaging audience connectivity.

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Alternative Press

A nuanced masterpiece. [Feb 2004, p.88]

All Music Guide

More so than ever, Elbow's greatest asset is that the band is capable of making big sounds without being bombastic or flashy.... The only setback? Gospel choirs.

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Playlouder

One of those classy records that will sound good forever, no matter what you do with it.

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Q Magazine

For all their generic tendencies, these are fertile minds. [Sep 2003, p.106]

Under The Radar

Unless you are severely depressed the laggard pace of this record will make it very hard to sit through. Yet each track is delightfully insteresting in its own right. [#5, p.100]

Pitchfork

Cast of Thousands rides the borders of sentimentality expertly-- Elbow's new-found hope in unity may seem like idealistic drivel on paper, but is carried off on record with refreshing determination.

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ShakingThrough.net

Cast of Thousands is populated by a motley crew of fringe-dwellers, outsiders and no-accounts, looking for a warm place to drink and like-minded company to occupy the waking hours -- and Guy Garvey is the right man to tell their tales.

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Almost Cool

Overall, a small step up for the group, but not quite the masterpiece that they might very well be capable of.

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No Ripcord

It's a grower - no doubt about that.

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Dot Music

By rights, Elbow should be pretty annoying, the same kind of lardy, overblown and overrated band as their compatriots Doves.... Yet there's something rather haunting and affecting about 'Cast Of Thousands', just as there was about 2001's 'Asleep At The Back', which raises Elbow far above most of their peers.

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Mojo

Elbow... have let new-found bliss propel them to yet loftier heights. [Sep 2003, p.106]

Rolling Stone

The rare art-rock album that comes as much from the heart as the head.

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Urb

Their wall of sounds with lush keyboards and itchy guitars still fire strong. [Nov 2003, p.92]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Josh E. gave it a10:
A beautiful record from start to finish. This should have made them huge. Too bad for all of those who are missing it.

Mike P gave it a10:
One of the best ever.

Allan N gave it a10:
Lush, complex, emotionally charged collection of outstanding tracks. In my view, this is the best album in the past few years.

Paul M gave it a9:
A stunning achievement. The music is deeply textured and rewards repeated listens repeatedly. The lyrics are gorgeous, at times poetic almost - example from 'Switching Off' - 'Last of the men in hats hops off the coil, And a final scene unfolds inside, Deep in the rain of sparks behind his brow , Is a part replayed from a perfect day'. Wow

music man gave it a10:
Everything about this album is beautiful

Mr Mikey gave it a 9:
My heart still lies with Asleep in the Back I suppose but the band have moved on from the dark of Bury which is all through the first album. As the band were taken into the wide world they lightened up, after all they finally made the escape that was haunting their first album. Worldly wise and a little happier. Anyone know where the 3rd album will go? Becasue I don't have a clue.

Benny P gave it a 10:
My album of 2003. Hugely inventive, emotional and engaging.

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Cast Of Thousands

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