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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Cast Of Thousands Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: The Manchester band follow their Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut 'Asleep In The Back' with this ambitious 11-track sophomore disc.

Top Track

Grace Under Pressure
Grace under pressure Cooling palm across my brow Eyes of an angel Lay me down Grace under pressure Cooling palm across my brow Eyes of an angel Lay... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. 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.
  2. Spin
    91
    Finds these thoughtful Brits exploring even more emotional territory. [Mar 2004, p.96]
  3. A record that anyone who’s ever demanded anything interesting from rock music should hear.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    For all their generic tendencies, these are fertile minds. [Sep 2003, p.106]
  5. One of those classy records that will sound good forever, no matter what you do with it.
  6. 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.
  7. Urb
    70
    Their wall of sounds with lush keyboards and itchy guitars still fire strong. [Nov 2003, p.92]

See all 23 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. JoshE.
    Jun 7, 2008
    10
    A beautiful record from start to finish. This should have made them huge. Too bad for all of those who are missing it.
  2. BennyP
    Jun 5, 2004
    10
    My album of 2003. Hugely inventive, emotional and engaging.
  3. Oli
    Oct 9, 2003
    10
    an amazing piece of music! "cast..." event tops their magnificient debut!
  4. AllanN
    Oct 25, 2006
    10
    Lush, complex, emotionally charged collection of outstanding tracks. In my view, this is the best album in the past few years.
  5. RobertA
    Jan 26, 2004
    9
    music that will make you shiver with delight. great.
  6. PaulM
    Sep 4, 2005
    9
    A stunning achievement. The music is deeply textured and rewards repeated listens repeatedly. The lyrics are gorgeous, at times poetic almost 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 Expand
  7. seattleman
    Oct 21, 2003
    5
    The singer has a huge ego about there music ....the notable musicians are the drummer and guitar player whom which you could tell had many The singer has a huge ego about there music ....the notable musicians are the drummer and guitar player whom which you could tell had many earlier experiences with music..... Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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