Search - Elbow :: Seldom Seen Kid

Quality That Cuts No Corners

C. Bradley | Elkhart, IN | 02/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many qualities of The Seldom Seen Kid that must be appreciated.



1.) Elbow fill space with such perfection. It seems every beat, every syllable, and every phrase is calculated and prescribed just the right instrumentation and fill. Not every gap is filled with predictable guitar strums, hums, or piano doodling. If any instrument repeatedly fills space, it will nearly always take on a different sound every time. "Some Riot" is characterized with a scraping, synthesized bass sound that nearly shaves your scruff off when wearing headphones that then retreats to an eerie rumbling. "Mirrorball," which is possibly the "best" track of the album, denies a cramming instrumentation and instead relies on acoustic space, snare rimshots, and a simple piano/guitar harmony to create such a beautiful melancholy. "The Fix," on the other hand, employs several voices, harmonies, and instruments to create a menacing, frolicking feel when the song closes out.



2.) Vocals are quality! Fans of Coldplay will be surprised to find a singer reminiscent of Chris Martin... but with a technically better voice: a well-placed and relaxed tone; no weak falsetto to change between ranges (typical of Coldplay), impeccable intonation, not to mention an impressive upper range in full voice (as in the chorus of "One Day Like This").



3.) Musical knowledge. Elbow refrain from a company front attack from the get-go. Instead, they plan the peak of their songs for maximum effect (as is evident from the lengthy tracks, which are atypical of many bands who have nothing left after three and a half minutes). They often add instrumentation throughout the song to do this so as not to throw it all out there from the start. There's also an evident understanding of modes. I'm always impressed with the note-play in "The Bones of You," which toys with minor/major tonalities and often employs zig-zagging melodies ("But image on image like beads on a rosary, pulled through my head as the music takes hold"). Elbow are obviously rich in influence as well. Take the tracks "Grounds for Divorce, "Weather to Fly," and "The Fix," for example. None seem to be produced by the same band, yet each have a distinct sound.



I certainly recommend The Seldom Seen Kid for its knowledgeable musicianship, its thoughtfulness in creation, and (duh!) because of its enjoyable nature! What a great find."