• Record Label: Polydor
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2011
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 58
  2. Negative: 3 out of 58
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  1. Mar 14, 2011
    5
    Am I alone in believing that the mainly wonderful Elbow are actually following a gently descending trajectory with each successive album?

    To the people with score this a 9 or a 10 i pose the question of how you rate "Asleep in the back", or "Cast of thousands". I can only assume that, a la Spinal Tap, your gauge goes up to 11 or 12....... The interesting and original instrumentation, and
    Am I alone in believing that the mainly wonderful Elbow are actually following a gently descending trajectory with each successive album?

    To the people with score this a 9 or a 10 i pose the question of how you rate "Asleep in the back", or "Cast of thousands". I can only assume that, a la Spinal Tap, your gauge goes up to 11 or 12.......

    The interesting and original instrumentation, and Guy Garvey's lyricism, are not bad exactly, but - not as inspired as early Elbow - it's all faintly, dare i say it - bland??

    Yet, with the success of TSSK, all the reviewers seem to feel they have to describe this blandness as subtlety. Surely only evidence of "Johnny-come-latelys" who have never actually explored the back catalogue, or herding instinct........ Not a bad album, B+ , can do better.
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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Sep 13, 2011
    67
    There are too many golden slumbers ("The Night Will Always Win"), and since the snapping and grandiose arrangement of "High Ideals" passes for the pulse quickener on Rocket, tempo could vary more, as it does in the banging build of "Open Arms," another British best in any decade.
  2. Mojo
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    As with earlier records, Build A Rocket Boys! is touched by ambitious, intuitive invention. [Apr. 2011, p. 92]
  3. Apr 12, 2011
    83
    It isn't the type of album that will easily find its way into the hearts of those in need of a quicker, simpler fix.