Build a Rocket Boys! - Elbow
  • Band Name: Elbow
  • Record Label: Polydor
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2011
Build a Rocket Boys! Image
Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Manchester five-piece alt-rock band's fifth album follows up their Mercury Prize-Winning album, The Seldom Seen Kid, and further showcases their poetic, lyric-driven, atmospheric music.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 10, 2011
    100
    Their last album, The Seldom Seen Kid, managed the rare feat of winning the Mercury prize and huge public affection. So how do Elbow follow it? With continued greatness and without fuss.
  2. All Music Guide
    Apr 11, 2011
    80
    Build a Rocket Boys! knows when to push forward and when to pull back, and its songs find the accessibility in out-of-the-box thinking without alienating either side of Elbow's audience.
  3. Mojo
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    As with earlier records, Build A Rocket Boys! is touched by ambitious, intuitive invention. [Apr. 2011, p. 92]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Under The Radar
    Apr 12, 2011
    80
    The emotional pallet may be lightened, but once again Elbow still manages to break hearts, even as their own remain intact.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. Falling_Hammer
    10
    An album filled with great rhythms, lyrics, and so much more. I think I could write an essay containing 500-800 words but that would be boring to read since this is no place to do that (I'l just live it for the Final Exam). The first time I listened to "Elbow" was before a year and i was listening to "Seldom Seen Kid" and was amazed. Fortunately they did it again and this time it is a bit "messier" but still a great album no doubt about it. I think that Elbow is a raising band and in a decade they'll be a big and successful band (if they keep it going). Furthermore, if you ever listened to Radiohead, Arcade Fire, The National, etc. and liked it than you'll like this album too. If you're having doubts on buying this album, doubt no more and go to any music shop and buy it.... You won't regret it.… Collapse
  2. Mjohn
    8
    While less immediate, "Build a Rocket Boys" still clears all the hurdles set by the "Seldom Seen Kid". Subtlety is their only fault. At about 3 minutes in you know they still have the mature gravitas of there past albums. Though, at times the album becomes too much a vehicle for the complex orchestrations of the band. In the end "Build a Rocket Boys!" is as all Elbow albums always are...Lovely.… Expand
  3. Ricko
    7
    A good album although I did find it a tad disappointing follow up to The Seldom Seen Kid. Probably Elbows 3 best record. It has got some really lovely, heartfelt tracks on it but oeverall just lacks the power of some of their other efforts.… Expand
  4. MistaDwarfjokes
    3
    A rather messy attempt to follow up the acclaim of The Seldom Seen Kid with some fan-pleasing, feelgood ballads. Sadly they have followed thier incredible honesty and power from tracks like Leaders of the Free World and Grounds for Divorce with a watery, overly happy section of major-chord gruel. However, the closing track "Dear Friends" offers one correct point that really did the entire album proud and nearly made up for it.… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

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