Forum menu
Elbow - worst band...
 

[Closed] Elbow - worst band ever?

Posts: 9043
Free Member
 

Why post then, if you have never heard them?

Its ok sweet cheeks - I'm allowed to post in here. Says so in my restraining order. And you'll notice I mentioned other bands too.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:41 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I feel very well qualified to engage in this thread, having seen Elbow support Muse many years ago. This was before Elbow hit the prime time airplay lists and before Muse decided they wanted to be a disco prog rock amalgam of Abba, Queen and Boney M.

Elbow were dull as ditchwater. They were touring Asleep In the Back which is a tremendously melancholy album and sounded awful in the MEN arena. As some said above, a dirge. Not a good warm up for a very on-form Muse.

Fast forward to 2005ish and I saw Elbow touring Leaders of the Free World at Leicester Summer Sundae and they were AWESOME! That's right, awesome, not awful. They'd written some pop songs and had variety in their set. Guy Garvey had learnt to be a frontman and they exuded the confidence of a band who realised they were actually quite talented and *could* write a bouncy tune.

I love Elbow now. They write great songs with great lyrics, they have more variety than many bands and can play their instruments and sing in tune. That's more than many bands achieve and - yes - I love One Day Like This. How can you not?!? ๐Ÿ˜€


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:44 pm
 IHN
Posts: 20128
Full Member
 

The Smiths. The 2nd-most overrated load of crap ever after James Brown.

Now, if nothing else, that is a strong statement.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:47 pm
Posts: 2607
Free Member
 

They took the acoustic 'space' between sounds, as used so effectively by Talk Talk, and turned it into modern day pop music with soul.

Guy Garvey seems a very decent bloke.

And I saw them in Sheffield Uni Student Union in 2010, along with about 50 other people.

They can do no wrong in my eyes.

But I can understand the backlash happening, given their ubiquity and how comfortably middle their music [b]appears[/b] to sit now.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:52 pm
Posts: 4303
Full Member
 

Simple. Elvis. I have never heard a single drone, sorry song from him that I have like. No idea what the appeal was


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:53 pm
Posts: 2997
Full Member
 

British Sea Power. That is all.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:53 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

But they so achingly worthy....and Northern. Surely that counts for something

๐Ÿ˜†

Probably. To someone. Somewhere.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:55 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I feel very well qualified to engage in this thread, having seen Elbow support [b]Muse[/b]...

Sorry, didn't get past Muse. Just no point.

๐Ÿ˜›

[s]Elbow[/s]Pink Floyd - worst band ever?
Pimpmaster Jazz - Member

I'm sure there are worse, but I find every track I have the misfortune of hearing sounds like a particularly grating dirge.

FTFY

I'd argue they're just misunderstood.

I'd add Athlete to the list, though they are mercifully short-lived in the charts.

Fair point.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:57 pm
Posts: 57390
Full Member
 

Guy Garvey bought the house next door to an illustrator I was working with. He arrived home one day to find him sat in the kitchen with his now completely pissed wife. He'd popped round with a bottle of wine to introduce himself, then just kept popping back to get another bottle. He then proceeded to get matey completely pissed as well, then staggered off back home

He likes a shandy, and is apparently an absolutely lovely bloke. One of my girly mates, who has a bit of a thing about Guy, refers to him as 'a Labrador of a man'

Leaders of the Free World is a good album IMHO. Not fussed about any of their others


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Bloody hell Elbow lol listened to their 'new' song on Lauren Lavernes 6 music show the other day. Why do all their songs sound the same? Not even in a good way, it's a depressing downward spiral of sound. He's got no range in his voice whatsoever!
Best thing about it though Laverne read out from some Muppet that she actually cried driving the car when she heard the song! I don't know how she managed to cry, drive and text at the same time though?


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:00 pm
Posts: 2653
Free Member
 

The Smiths. The 2nd-most overrated load of crap ever after James Brown.

What? How can you fail to like lyrics such as:-

"So I broke into the Palace
With a sponge and a rusty hammer
She said I know, and you cannot sing
I said that's nothing, you should here me play piano"
๐Ÿ˜›


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:03 pm
Posts: 8396
Full Member
 

Two whole pages before someone mentions The Fall?


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:03 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

Its ok sweet cheeks - I'm allowed to post in here. Says so in my restraining order. And you'll notice I mentioned other bands too.

I'm 'allowed' to do lots of things sugarbaps, and I also know when I have nothing to offer :wink:.
Yes, you mention some other bands, none of which have much in common imo, in relation to a band you have never heard. Well done. And based on that you dismiss the band in question. Again, well done. Bravo.

In the spirit of adding something to the thread, what bands do you like?

PS. I neither particularly like nor dislike Elbow. I own one of their albums. It's okay, I guess.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

He likes a shandy, and is apparently an absolutely lovely bloke. One of my girly mates, who has a bit of a thing about Guy, refers to him as 'a Labrador of a man'

I should be clear - I've heard they're all great blokes and I'd happily share several pints with them while discussing popular music.

Their music just makes me want to take a drive with a hosepipe.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:05 pm
Posts: 13291
Free Member
 

That's the funny thing about music.
You don't always get to choose the song that can break your heart,or stop you in your tracks when you hear that intro.
Like little time machines,they whisk you back,and nobody will ever understand why that cheesy tune holds you transfixed. ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You're all wrong, just some are more wrong than others.

I do dislike the popularity of bland inoffensive music, but I suppose it's better than actual rubbish music from "celebs" instead of actual musicians. And I can happily listen to Elbow et al without wanting to actually smash the radio. Not like the latest Chemical Brothers track that's been on 6music, or one other that I can't remember.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:12 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

But you do get the opportunity to turn the radio off, or to another station.

That's the way I view BowEl.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:14 pm
 Gunz
Posts: 2258
Free Member
 

The Lighthouse Family, HTH.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:14 pm
 Nico
Posts: 4
Free Member
 

Like if Queen went prog.

Queen started prog. I don't mean they initiated the genre - they were of that ilk.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:16 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

mr potatohead - Member
Agree about the Smiths, Morrisey's voice is the musical equivalent of root canal surgery

I don't mind Morrisey's voice, it's the lyrics particularly in a lot of his recent solo stuff that are utterly crap. (Smiths stuff I've found little to hate and will listen quite happily).


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:17 pm
 Nico
Posts: 4
Free Member
 

Their music just makes me want to take a drive with a hosepipe.

Don't forget to disconnect the catalytic converter first.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:18 pm
Posts: 9043
Free Member
 

In the spirit of adding something to the thread, what bands do you like?

My favourite band has already been mentioned - the Vengaboys. Fantastic.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:18 pm
Posts: 21016
Full Member
 

tenfoot - Member
The Smiths. The 2nd-most overrated load of crap ever after James Brown.
What? How can you fail to like lyrics such as:-
"So I broke into the Palace
With a sponge and a rusty hammer....

Spanner, not hammer.
๐Ÿ™‚


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If you want a pint with them go to the Brook at Rammy most Thursdays , or they even have their own bottled beer " build a rocket boys " made by Robinsons


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Panic Street Cleaners for the win. I broke the car stereo once, 'switching' it off when one of their songs came on. And I have arms like a Tyrannosaurus Rex..

I'd put Morrisey as a very close second though. Dreadful....


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:23 pm
Posts: 444
Free Member
 

worse? m-people, toploader etc all give me that weird second hand embarssment thing.

however i absolutely love music my wife toils to even regard as music.

give me a unwavering metallic 3 hour drone any day - over any searching for the hero inside yourself...


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:25 pm
Posts: 9043
Free Member
 

Even though I don't really know their music, I don't think anyone is questioning what jolly nice chaps they are.

Thought of more:
Scouting For Girls
Kooks
Razorlight
+ all that other floppy haired pop/rock sh*te that was being knocked out at around the same time.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:25 pm
Posts: 66111
Full Member
 

I'm not an elbow fan but One Day Like This is a [i]tune[/i]. Immaculately crafted and I like how his voice can't quite hit the full range. Obviously inoffensive and middle of the road but that doesn't make it bad.

(It's basically the same song as Fix You by Coldplay, which I also sadly have to admit is great)

The worst band ever is, at the moment, Chicks. Later I might think it's someone else.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:29 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

philjunior I agree about the Morrisey lyrics, they manage to be utterly pretentious without actually meaning anything -hit me with a daffodil mummy I think I might be a bit dead


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:43 pm
Posts: 35040
Full Member
 

Ah but the great thing about the Fall is that if you don't like the latest album, all you have to do is wait 10miba for the next one


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:45 pm
Posts: 31089
Full Member
 

I hate the music you enjoy, therefore I am better than you.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:53 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

My favourite band has already been mentioned - the Vengaboys. Fantastic.

I hate them. Never heard anything that they have produced, but a mate told me they sound just like Cradle of Filth, and I can't stand that banal rubbish.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:59 pm
Posts: 40432
Free Member
 

I'm not a huge fan of The Fall, but they're kind of beyond good and evil aren't they?


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 4:17 pm
Posts: 18029
Full Member
 

and - yes - I love One Day Like This. How can you not?!?

Well the pathetic strings for a start.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 4:26 pm
Posts: 9440
Full Member
 

Gunz - Member
The Lighthouse Family,

Why is everybody still debating it? Gunz has surely settled things once and for all.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 5:14 pm
Posts: 13554
Free Member
 

tenfoot - Member
The Smiths. The 2nd-most overrated load of crap ever after James Brown.

I'm with you all the way on Morrisey and The Smiths, but James Brown, really? The man pretty much brought Funk and the use of African rhythm to mainstream western music. Plus he's partly responsible for Bootsy Collins pushing his bass playing. Crazy man, I'll give you that. Then again the best always are.

Partly why I love discussing music, it's such a divisive subject. ๐Ÿ™‚

Oh and James Brown wasn't a band either ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 6:25 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Oh and James Brown wasn't a band either

He'd make Elbow more interesting tho. ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 6:33 pm
Posts: 25940
Full Member
 

I'm not a huge fan of The Fall, but they're kind of beyond good and evil aren't they?
nah, that's The Pop Group

๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 6:45 pm
Posts: 57390
Full Member
 

[url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/celebrity/prince-harry-called-up-to-join-the-fall-2015032396574 ]I think I'm one of the few people in Manchest who's not been in the Fall at some point[/url]


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 6:56 pm
Posts: 1310
Full Member
 

I love Elbow, and seeing them live for the first time next year, but I did think the new single sounded particularly dull. Hey ho. Think they'll be great live.


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 7:06 pm
Posts: 2653
Free Member
 

The Smiths. The 2nd-most overrated load of crap ever after James Brown.
What? How can you fail to like lyrics such as:-
"So I broke into the Palace
With a sponge and a rusty hammer....
Spanner, not hammer.

Senior moment ๐Ÿ˜ณ


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 7:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Pet Shop Boys? Every song exactly the same with no saving grace at all


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 7:33 pm
Posts: 401
Free Member
 

Gallhammer


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 8:00 pm
Posts: 33970
Full Member
 

He's got no range in his voice whatsoever!

Cloth-eared muppet! You [i]do[/i] listen to music, I take it?
'Cos claiming that Guy has no range shows a remarkable display of ignorance about the human voice.
Leonard Cohen has little vocal range, but is no less a singer for that; Guy, while no operatic singer, has a far greater range, both technically and emotionally, than Chris Martin, whose high-pitched whine had got pretty old before their second album was even recorded.
Worst band? Manics, for turning out songs full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Third-rate, student union posturing posing as meaningful intellectualism, sung by a vocalist who thinks that shouting louder and making your voice raspy means you're showing [i]real[/i] emotion.
Bollocks.
There are plenty of bands already mentioned who are far, far worse than Elbow, like Athlete, Sterophonics, Toploader, Charlatans, (now [i]there's[/i] an embarrassingly appropriate name if ever there was one!)
Oh, I have to add 65daysofstatic. In forty-five years of gig-going, the only band I've ever walked out on. Just a featureless drone with no redeeming merit whatsoever.
Good thing the support, Asobi Seksu, were really good, because it was them I'd bought a ticket to see, before they got shoved into supporting 65days...


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 8:08 pm
 DezB
Posts: 54367
Free Member
 

And... order has been restored ๐Ÿ˜†


 
Posted : 09/12/2016 8:17 pm
Page 2 / 3