User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 81 out of 93
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Mixed: 7 out of 93
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Negative: 5 out of 93
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Mar 19, 2023It won the Mercury Prize because it was far and away the best album of the year. One of the best bands pf the past 20 years. Consistent and always listenable and engaging. England is and should be, proud of this band.
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Jan 3, 2012A Masterpiece! Brilliant. This is literally my favourite album of all time. Guy Garvey is a genius and should be worshipped as a God! I do not have a favourite song as i love every single one equally as if they were my children.
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Dec 13, 2011A beautiful album, so many memorable tracks. This deserved all the success and acclaim it got. The only 2 tracks I don't love are the opening and closing ones, everything in between is magical.
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Sep 27, 2011
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Aug 14, 2010Elbow's most complete album, not one song disappoints, a feat I very much doubt they'll surpass. From the upbeat 'Grounds for Divorce' to the beauty of 'Mirrorball' there are plenty of 'makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up' moments. And if you get the chance see these guys live!!
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DavidB.Oct 3, 2009I don't think you'll really appreciate Elbow until you hear them live. Guy's voice is the most powerful in music today!
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WesleyWApr 21, 2009A perfect album for chilling out by candle light, alone with your thoughts!
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AlanS.Apr 7, 2009
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SDMar 10, 2009One of the best albums ever!
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MichaelRMar 6, 2009Keeps growing on you with more listens until you become addicted.
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EvilEdFeb 6, 2009This album is so overrated. The songs are ok but certainly not great and you get bored after a few listens. I bought this when it first came out and was shocked when it won the Mercury later on the year.
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JeffKJan 19, 2009Consistently good songs across the entire album. Sometimes excellence is overlooked, and this is another case. They didn't catch it at WFUV in New York until 2009.
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CraigJDec 7, 2008I Love this album too.
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MYAug 21, 2008Not only is the CD exceptional (as have been their previous releases), but I heard three songs from this CD played live on the Sundance Channel's "Live from Abbey Road," and they were even better. Fantastic musicianship, and thoughtful, emotive lyrics. If Guy Garvey looked like Chris Martin, Elbow would dominate the charts.
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DavidSJul 26, 2008Love his voice and the way the songs build. "Friend of Ours" I agree is one of the most beautiful, sincere songs written to a loved one I've heard - and in typical Elbow fashion, it isn't sappy or over sentimental - "love ya mate".
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KevinK.Jul 16, 2008Easily one of the top five albums released in 2008 so far. This band is way too often ignored. It is time that they get more exposure in praise. Brilliant.
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JustinD.Jul 11, 2008Great great album. My introduction to the band. Fantastic.
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RonVJul 8, 2008This is easily the finest album I have bought in a very long time, and I refer it to friends and colleagues any chance I get. "One Day Like This" is awe-inspiring, but each listen results in a new favourite. I have seen them live, and eagerly look forward to seeing them tour this album.
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MattWJun 23, 2008There are so many good songs on this album. Elbow are probably branded gloomy or depressing by lazy journalists or ignorant people. I urge anyone listen to songs like 'One Day Like This', 'Some Riot' or 'The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver' and not admit they are absolutely beautiful. THE album of 2008.
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JoshE.Jun 6, 2008A fantastic album full of thoughtful songs. Elbow is one of the few truly brilliant British rock bands out there today.
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AllanS.May 20, 2008Guy Garvey & Co., rather than Britney, should be exclaiming 'Oops, I did it again', because Elbow have. That is, if 'it' includes peerless layered arrangements and heartfelt yet measured lyrical vignettes. Maybe two songs don't quite make Elbow's consitently high standards, but most band would willingly piss ball bearings to write stuff even half this good.
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AlMMay 20, 2008Just exceptional. 'Mirrorball' and 'One Day Like This' in particular are life-affirmingly brilliant.
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DecepticonPomMay 16, 2008Just like their first two albos, a delightful slow burner. One reviewer described it as a 'refinement' which I like - it's really re-fining the Elbow sound after the over-rushed last record.
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KrisS.May 2, 2008Utterly brilliant. This will take some beating for album of the year
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AdamWMay 2, 2008Great album - good lyrics, melody and sound.No horrible compression - can actually hear the arrangement rather than just a big crass wall of sound. My IPod broke on a recent holiday-all I had on me was my Pride-Of-The-90s DiscMan and this album on CD. I'm so pleased I did. Terrific album.
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DickJApr 30, 2008The sad thing about this album is that it takes several listens to "get it". In this instant gratification world of ours, many give up too soon. With Elbow, it won't really hit you until the third or fourth listen. Write your review on the fifth. This is a solid, well thought out and wonderfully produced album
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SimonJ.Apr 29, 2008Elbow/Radiohead, Radiohead/Elbow. I cant decide. Brilliant.
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JoeC.Apr 28, 2008I don't understand why elbow gets such mediocre reviews from critics. They are a great band that makes beautiful intelligent music. I love this record.
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TravisB.Apr 26, 2008This is Elbow, completely back on their game. Absolutely gorgeous disc, for any one of you who loved Asleep in the Black or Cast of Thousands, I strongly urge you to buy this!
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Weirdfish7Apr 24, 2008Sonic texturing at it's best. And solid song-writing. Real musicians playing real music. Elbow are at their best, playing this new style they've discovered. Though it does not match Asleep In The Back to this listener, it has no weak tracks, and thoughtful arrangements and lyrics are plentyful. Listen.
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HughM.Apr 23, 2008Elbow must be one of the most underrated bands of this decade. Thank God for intelligent music which rewards repeat visits. This feels a little like a cabaret soundtrack at first, but turns into a thing of beauty upon further spins. Guy Garvey's voice is a thing of beauty, and the bands arrangements leave most for dead. Great stuff....buy it
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BurningApr 23, 2008Definitely a brilliant album, and I have to agree that 'Grounds for Divorce' is without question an instant hit. Sadly, this is supposed to be their last album per se, because they don't find publishing albums in the Internet era profitable.
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ErikZ.Apr 23, 2008Elbow's crafted an(other) album of emotionally intelligent lyrics, the most fluid of songcraft, the most understated of basslines, all of it so evocative, so effective. Briliant, just brilliant.
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JackApr 23, 2008A good, solid album. I'm not sure if I understand all the hype though. Standout tracks are Mirrorball, Grounds ofr Divorce and Friend of Ours.
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JoeRApr 23, 2008A brilliant album, the perfect antidote to anyone feeling alienated by what seems to be the depressing music scene of today-- the music's there, you just have to look for it!
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AlO.Apr 23, 2008If you like these guys, then you'll like this album. Otherwise, be prepared for meandering songs with overwrought lyrics and vocals, forgettably weak melodies, and empty stadium bombast. Dull, dull, dull.
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MattCApr 23, 2008Unbelievably heartbreaking yet life affirming at the same time. The most underrated band in Britain fronted by the countries greatest lyricist, Elbow deserve to be massive but yet I want to keep them all to myself. I can't imagine there being a better album this year.
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JulianG.Apr 22, 2008One of the best albums of this young year.
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MattA.Apr 10, 2008I agree with Jules. Beautiful, heartfelt stuff, but not in a sappy way. The last track, "Friend of Ours" is so sincere and well-done it almost made me cry the first time I heard it. So far, the best album I have heard this year, and in my opinion, Elbow's best album to date.
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JulesApr 1, 2008EPIC. "Grounds for Divorce" is an instant classic, and should be cherished for generations to come by traditionalists and outre-leaning listeners alike. Finally! A band we can all rally around, and at long last, they get their due.
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Awards & Rankings
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The Seldom Seen Kid is Elbow's most self-assured and enjoyable album so far.
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The achievement of The Seldom Seen Kid is that Elbow manage to be both incredibly consistent and perpetually improving.
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The Seldom Seen Kid keeps the band on this upward trajectory.