Photos of Elbow at Terminal 5 in New York, NY on November 2nd, 2017
Photos of Elbow at Paradise in Boston, MA on November 1st, 2017
QRO’s review of Elbow at Webster Hall in New York on May 16th, 2014
Photos of Elbow at Leeds Arena in Leeds, U.K. on April 11th, 2013
QRO’s review of Elbow at O2 Arena in London, U.K. on December 2nd, 2012
Photos of Elbow at Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, U.K. on November 26th, 2012
Photos of Elbow at Live From Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, U.K. on June 23rd, 2012
Photos of Elbow at Paradise in Boston, MA on September 26th, 2011
Photos of Elbow at 2011 POPPED! Festival in Philadelphia, PA
Few acts do sadness quite as well as Elbow. Perhaps only their transatlantic brethren The National can plumb the depths of tragedy so expertly. Yet in these tragic times, the Brits have decided to give us some much-needed brightness (if still tinged with darkness) – and pull it off as well, on Audio Vertigo.
Now, Audio isn’t a complete 180° from the somber Elbow you know and love, but there are distinctly big moments of hope and even joy. “Good Blood Mexico City” is the biggest, an explosion of hope, while “The Picture” is an alt-tronics journey. “Lovers’ Leap” is horns-led upbeat, and “Balu” sees Elbow do some great alt-Eastern funk. Yet even those have their touch of grey, not to mention the outright sad days of youth “Very Heaven”, wry looking back “Knife Fight”, or world-wise & -weary opener “Things I’ve Been Telling Myself For Years”.
You might not have thought that you needed a ‘happy Elbow’ album. But these days, you very much do, and thankfully the masters of sadness can also master the bright side.
