Elbow "Let's Build a Rocket, Boys!"

The first song goes to “The Birds,” and these aren’t the flightless kind either; there are huge choruses, inspiring instrumentals, and soaring vocals; as well as a wading synth passage that occurs before the flight test. These “lippy kids” are on that corner again talking about knowing more than anyone else, and how they may build a rocket. Despite their disrespect they are encouraged to build one. They are impatient, but they are interested in the idea; you can’t hurry love, so that must be why they took the construction slowly. If you want to go to space you need to take your time building the rocket; haste makes waste! I can tell you that they wrote this song with passion, and I make this comparison “With Love.” There are several rounds, varying harmonies, and lovely harp thrown in there; there is a fine line between a tribute and sheer copyright infringement, and this is with no doubt the former. There is a steady pulse that drives this song, even when the only things that are left are the bones, but how else would those recurring beautiful xylophone-esque sounds be made without those bones in “Neat Little Rows,” and the harmonies are full of heart (That could be why). I heard that not only is “Jesus a Rochdale Girl” but that this song is pleasant in its simplicity and minimalism; great song to listen to while thinking. The next song has many “High Ideals,” but don’t go looking through the lyrics for them; it’s all in the instrumentals. If you need to come down off of that high from the last song I suggest a walk alongside “The River,” omniscient and non-judgmental, as you make your confessions of your deafening sorrow that play like those piano keys that brought on those feeling, or were they already there? My ears can easily welcome this song with “Open Arms,” or should I say open auricles? There is  persistant, consistent  percussion played throughout, as well as those harmonies and that chorus easy to sing along to; a little redundant, but beautiful nonetheless. “The Birds (Reprise)” is much shorter at only a minute and thirty-one seconds, but worth it. The finale is a song dedicated to their ‘’Dear Friends” has a floydian charm that you may have heard before, but it doesn’t hurt. As for the first record I have heard from them I can say I would like to listen to their back catalog; I would recommend the full record if you have the time.