Elbow // Little Fictions

Elbow

Little Fictions

Polydor Records

4/5 stars

English quartet Elbow have had a terrifically solid career. Their latest effort, Little Fictions, is no exception. Cinematic and emotionally evocative, the band creates a sweeping atmosphere with every track. Singer Guy Garvey's full, long notes are despondently peaceful, floating above the tender instrumentation. The band begins with simple rhythmic motifs, often repeated throughout entire tracks, giving many tracks a slight degree of danceability. Shimmering delay and reverb coats Mark Potter's guitar parts, while the keyboards of his brother Craig are deep, warm, and cavernous. It's very "Brit indie," perfect for fans of Badly Drawn Boy, Radiohead, or Americans like The National. It's subtle, dreamy, and delivered with an understated gravitas that goes a long way. Check out tracks like "Trust the Sun," or the titular "Little Fictions" for examples. After their critically acclaimed 2008 hit The Seldom Seen Kid the band has done its best to live up to the high bar they've set for themselves. To a new listener, Little Fictions is welcoming, a somber meditation that succeeds in setting a dark, personal mood. 

– Nick Warren