The Take Off and Landing of Everything
by Elbow
  • Record Label: Concord
  • Release Date: Mar 11, 2014
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 10, 2014
    60
    This isn’t a bad or a lazy album, and Elbow are too good a band to ever be dismissed, yet one can’t help but feel they could push their envelope a bit further.
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 10, 2014
    60
    You would fully expect to find strings and piano on an Elbow track, but these can be any scoundrel's knee-jerk shortcut to gravitas. Much better are Guy Garvey's sloshed 40-nothing aperçus, playing off beautifully against a slinky organ melody.
  3. Magnet
    Apr 18, 2014
    55
    The Take Off is not all that remarkable the first few times around, but it nonetheless hints at rewarding repeat visits. [No. 108, p.55]
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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. bulbous
    Mar 13, 2014
    10
    another cracker by Elbow, the most consistent band on the planet, Guy Garvey is a poet through and through, such beautiful lyrics, amazinganother cracker by Elbow, the most consistent band on the planet, Guy Garvey is a poet through and through, such beautiful lyrics, amazing music. Lunette has to the best song about drinking and smoking ever. superb.… Full Review »
  2. Muddsjr
    Aug 14, 2016
    8
    It's a slow, subtle and contemplative album, the latter already guessable from its title, and what isn't essentially an overwhelming listen,It's a slow, subtle and contemplative album, the latter already guessable from its title, and what isn't essentially an overwhelming listen, is by the end at least a satisfying and re-listenable one. Seldom Seen Kid and Cast of Thousands may be the quicker-to-visit ones.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Apr 7, 2015
    7
    "The Take off and landing of everything" is a record that requires repeated and close listening. Its mid to slow tempo means that if you have"The Take off and landing of everything" is a record that requires repeated and close listening. Its mid to slow tempo means that if you have it as background music then your likely to miss out on the detail and risk finding it a bit on the boring side. However, on detailed listening you can hear the layers and level of work the band have put into this record. It doesn't have the immediacy of some of their previous work (especially not that of The Seldom Seen Kid), but this album is from a band who have matured and are at peace with themselves. They know who they are and are comfortable with their identity. "The Take off and landing of everything" is still Elbow - the songs have that hymnal quality that makes the band special, Guy Garvey's vocals are as distinctive as ever and there is a general warmth to the music that is unique to Elbow. Its an improvement on the safe "Build A Rocket Boys" which should have seen the band build on the success of "The Seldom Seen Kid" but ultimately failed to do so. "The take off and landing of everything" is a very solid effort that firms up the bands reputation as songwriting craftsmen.… Full Review »
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