Absolute Radio: Discover real music

I bought this album partially as I already know the band but also on the back of their peformance on the Jonathan Ross show a few weeks back which I thought was outstanding. I had also read quite a few positive reviews so I awaited the arrival of the album with quite some anticipation. So I was somewhat surprised by the low notes and slurry sounds when I actually got the album onto my turntable. I realised of course that the album was actually cut at 45rpm although there is no indication of this anywhere on the album or on the Amazon entry (Amamzon take note!). I rarely play 45s so I had some tweaking to do to get my player working at that speed. Once I did and I started listening my hopes of a good sounding and musical album were fulfilled and it seems like a disc that will become more interesting with repeated plays.

So I would recommend you give the album a go but not if your record player is 33 1/3 rpm only...

Rating: 4 out of 5

This cd arrived in this mornings post, I put it on in the kitchen as I started to open the other letters but the loud horns on "Starlings" grabbed my attention & then i discovered that the cd includes a book of the lyrics so I re-started the cd whilst reading the words ."Starlings" is just beautiful,so beautiful that the tears just started to run down my face.My husband came into the kitchen to see why I was crying so I gave him the book & said "Just listen to this & read the lyrics" My husband would be the first to admit that he is most definitley NOT the romantic type so at the end I expected a "very nice " at best but no he turned to look at me & HIS face was all red because he had filled up too ,his eyes were all shiney with tears !We hugged each other but didn't say anything we just enjoyed the moment.Bless!!I don't know when I was last so moved on hearing a new track.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a perfectly acceptable stab at a music record from the hairy and slightly overweight British people. Notes, words, drum, notes - this record has it all, or as near to it as makes no odds. It comes as no surprise that Gustav Xavier Mercury picked it as his favourite album of the last 12 months, though is it really as good as the Klaxons?

I've found this record is best enjoyed while drinking a cheeky little rioja, while holidaying in Wiltshire and discussing the whereabouts of Radko Mladic among several local parish councillors - that's when it affected me most anyway; other people may prefer Gloucestershire.

Rating: 4 out of 5

This is quite simply an outstanding album. The lyrics, orchestrations, melodies, moods, sentiments, singing and playing are stunning. Two and a half years in the making this is a finely crafted, sonic landmark from a band long overdue for success. The lyrics are often pure poetry conveying such emotion and meaning. Even "Friend of Ours" takes a motif from JS Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos". Spiffing.

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have to admit that the Mercury award publicity was my first exposure to Elbow. Of late I have largely ignored "newer" music through being largely uninspired by the whole state of the music scene....... any modicum of new talent seems to be overhyped too quickly and artists seem to burn out too quickly (if you know what I mean).........
Shame on me ..... this album is fantastic, also of recording quality DO NOT simply consign it to compressed iPod music- get a chance to listen on a decent real hifi system (an all too forgotten essential)!
As for Elbow's music- reminds me of a whole load of intertwined British styles dating from way back to the 60s and through.
Excellent lyrics too.
The Seldom Seen Kid has hardly left my CD tray over the last weeks.
It has restored my faith in "new stuff" and inspired me to add to my 5,000 plus strong CD and vinyl collection!
Bravo.

Rating: 5 out of 5