Grade: A- | Genre: Brit Rock Summary: Elbow is able to inject clever, light hearted lyrics to soften the bluntness of a broken heart. It's a collection of pessimism in search of a cure. After being dropped by Island Records within a year of being signed in 1998 and then again by EMI within just a couple of months, vocalist Guy Garvey, drummer Richard Jupp, organist Craig Potter, guitarist Mark Potter, and bassist Pete Turner, rolled up their sleeves and took Elbow to indie label, Uglyman. After two released EP's, Newborn and Any Day Now, the quintet garnered critical acclaim and a brand new contract with the major UK label, V2. Their debut, 2001's Asleep in the Back, was a nominee for the Mecury Prize and gave the band the attention it deserved. It's quite a leap for a band in whom no one had any faith. Now, just a year after their successful follow-up, Cast of Thousands, Elbow is back with their ambitious 3rd release, Leaders of the Free World. Recorded in the BLUE ROOM at Blueprint Studios with their media artist mates, The Soup Collective, Leaders took shape in an environment of hidden cameras, toys, computers and mystery. The final product is a low-lit work of blissful exuberance in its most understated form. File these boys in with Coldplay, Doves, etc. if you must, but let it be known that these Brits are Elbow-ing (pardon the pun) their way to the forefront of the Brit Rock Movement.

Leaders of the Free World sneaks up on you with "Station Approach." You identify with Garvey as he describes how he's not been himself of late and how he hasn't slept for several days. Its dim approached is initially solemn, but at the same time, there a sense of reassurance. "Station Approach" doesn't point out the brighter side of things but rather the comfort found in the familiar. It's the beauty of the pain that uplifts and redeems. Garvey says it best as he sings, "You little sod I love your eyes / ...You know you drive me up the wall / I need to see your face that's all."

GET IT FOR ABOUT A DOLLAR! You may also like... Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Editors - The Back Room Email this article to a friend

Leaders picks up with "Forget Myself," a tale of moving beyond lost love if only "the city will forgive me." The intro, with it tribal-like percussions, really grabs your attention and hooks you in from the very start.

The album's title track, "Leaders of the Free World," is a testament of our bitter existence and of those that rule over us now and in the future. Garvey says he was Inspired by "footage of Bush senior and junior when the latter was voted in for his 2nd term. George W. was all but shrugging his dad off and hogging the attention and [Garvey] could suddenly see him as an 8 year old. A spoiled, nasty, selfish little sh*t for brains. He's officially the most powerful man in history." And he's our leader.

"Mexican Standoff" is how you might imagine an affair to be if you were the victim. It's the realization of how "sweet reassurances don't' change the fact / That he's better looking than me / Yet he'd look ideal 'neath the wheels of a car." It touches on how the speaker's so insecure that he almost accepts the betrayal. If only he were confident enough in himself as he is in the other guy that he could do something about it.

Leaders of the Free World is a misleading title for an album where songs of love and devotion dominate its theme. Elbow is able to inject clever, light hearted lyrics to soften the bluntness of a broken heart. It's a collection of pessimism in search of a cure. Leaders thrives on current Brit Rock sounds of melancholy with a little Elbow grease to liven up the production. Hopefully these Brits can keep up the success and fend off any ill effects of exposure that Leaders of the Free World hopes to receive. Definitely pick this one up.