Starlings, Elbow

I'd heard good things about Elbow.  I'd heard that they'd been nominated for a music prize and were worth listening to.  So, as you did in the old days, I bought the album.  We were out shopping and I said to my wife, as we drove home, "This is supposed to be good".  Starlings is the opening track on the CD, and for reasons that will become apparent if you listen - having never heard it before - I nearly steered off the road at the 57 second mark...

And thus begins a real love for this band, and the voice of the lead singer, Guy Garvey.  Now, I don't know if it is all blarney and bluster, but you get the real impression that these folk just enjoy getting together and making music.  I've been to see them live and they seemed to be having immense fun.  I guess that can be faked, but if they're faking it, I'd like some of what they're having. 

The album, The Seldom Seen Kid, is one of those where there's probably not a duff track.  If you work your way through their back catalogue, you might form the impression that some of these are the final version of ideas they've been working on for years, but of course I listened to it all backwards.  You must have heard "One Day Like This" - but my favourite track at any one time depends on a lot of things.  Perhaps I'll return to some in the future.  For now, though, try not to steer off the road...