Search - Elbow :: Leaders of the Free World Pt.1

Buy Them For The B-Sides

A. Klimas | Manahawkin, NJ | 01/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elbow,as i've said before, are absolute geniuses (for more information on this statement please read my review for the full length "Leaders Of The Free World" cd). They have made some of the most ecclectic yet approachable music of the new century. Their b-sides are no different. Most bands will take what they consider disposable tracks and throw them on their singles and expect people to pay 10 to 15 dollars a shot for them. Elbow has actually made quality songs that would fit perfectly on any of their albums and made them bonus tracks on their singles. Some of their best tunes (Brave New Shave, Lay Down Your Cross, The Good Day, to name a few) are all b-sides to singles. With that in mind the quality certainly continues here. "The Long War Shuffle" is not only a class track but it also serves as a perfect sequel to "Leaders Of The Free World" (Which, by the way, is presented here in a 3:50 edited version). The 2nd part to this single has the equally as good track "The Drunken Engineer". I have always been a huge fan of British music and of the b-side as well. With this release the two make a perfect pair."