Elbow bring unapologetic optimism to Atlanta

Live review: Elbow at Centerstage Theater in Atlanta, 9/20/11

A band like Elbow only comes along once a decade, or so. This is a special thing, this band. Another one of those special things would be R.E.M. After hearing the news Wednesday that they were calling it quits, one cannot help but speculate that Michael Stipe was in that packed crowd at Centerstage the night before in Atlanta. Witnessing that special thing called Elbow. And he summized that yes, there is one greater than us. Why go on?

The irrepressible and eternally glass-is-half-full Guy Garvey brought his British quintet back to Atlanta last night. The fans were there. The love was there. It was a terrific evening of music. The unbelievable story here, is that Elbow is not yet a household name in America. Despite the sonic perfection that they have created on each of their five studio albums (and a hundredfold playing live), they haven't cracked the U.S. yet with that one career-defining song. But the rest of the world is a bit more musically evolved. "We used to be cool," said Garvey. Only a cool person would say such a thing. For their previous release, 2009's masterpiece The Seldom Seen Kid, Elbow won the prestigious Mercury Prize. Nominated again this year for Build a Rocket Boys!, they just missed.

Garvey had a chat with the fans, asking for a regional or traditional song he could sing. Someone yelled out "Freebird!" People booed. One young lady got Guy's attention and her recommendation was the "chop chant" from the Atlanta Braves. While chanting this, one must move the arm up and down, as if weilding a tomahawk. I'm sure the Cherokee and Creek were turning in their graves. Anyway, Guy ran with this, did a little call-and-response with the fans, and it morphed into the chant from "Grounds For Divorce." It was such a perfect transition that either this girl was a plant in the audience or Guy Garvey is a musical genius. It is definitely the latter. This was one of the more upbeat rockers played Tuesday night, and at times the crowd's voices overpowered Garvey's.

To make a short list of highlights would be unfair to the band and the fan. Let's just say there were no "low-lights." Garvey's magnificent voice paired with his wit and charisma made every song the best song. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Elbow's inception, and the audience sang to them as they indulged in a round of shots. Over the course of those twenty years, they have amassed a bit of a cult following. Suffice it to say, everyone knows the songs. Between fans singing/yelling the lyrics, and screaming song requests, Garvey politely shushed them once or twice. "We're taking no requests at this time, thank you." he quietly stated. But these songs make you happy. And each band member plays at an advanced level, making the songs - many orchestral in nature - that much better.

Towards the end of the evening, a fan shouted, "Play something unapologetically optimistic!" Garvey responded, "That's all we play! Everything we've ever done is unapologetically optimistic!" In fact, after returning for the encore, the band played "Starlings," "Station Approach" and possibly the most beautiful and uplifting song in Elbow's repertoire, "One Day Like This." The song begins after and alcohol-induced fight the night before. It goes on to discuss growing old together. Garvey sings, "Cause holy cow I love your eyes / And only now I see the light / Yeah, lying with you half awake / Oh anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day." With victory in his voice and the surge of violins, you are compelled to sing along, "So throw those curtains wide / One day like this a year would see me right." I challenge you to find a mightier song.
Opener Glasser showed off her minimal set and Bjorkian ways. Her set was clearly a complement to that of the headliner's, but a thankless job nonetheless (most openers are). Her voice, however, was rich and powerful, and when she let go, it soared. Garvey would later admit that having her on the tour makes them hip and cool.

Set List (thanks to Setlist.fm):

1.The Birds
2.The Bones of You
3.Mirrorball
4.Neat Little Rows
5.Grounds for Divorce
6.The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver
7.Great Expectations
8.The Night Will Always Win
9.Puncture Repair
10.The River
11.Lippy Kids
12.Weather to Fly
13.Open Arms

Encore:

1.Starlings
2.Station Approach
3.One Day Like This

My Top 10 Shows of 2009

It’s been a good year for music. New bands surfaced and old bands maintained. A good mix is healthy and necessary for even the most casual concertgoer. From the staying power of U2 and the English Beat to the fresh genius of Elbow and Phoenix, 2009 offered some wonderful live experiences.

Here they are, my top ten concerts of 2009, with excerpts from each of my reviews. Keep in mind, there were thousands of great performances in Atlanta and elsewhere. I can only comment on the ones I saw. I’ve alphabetized the list, as I couldn’t choose a favorite.

Elbow
One of the more uplifting and poignant moments of the night came with the brilliant “One Day Like This.” Uplifting because of Garvey’s lyrics; poignant because the fans knew, felt, and sang all the words…and they’re great words: “What made me behave that way? / Using words I never say / I can only think it must be love / Oh anyway, it’s looking like a beautiful day.” To hear that full Center Stage crowd singing in unison, “It’s looking like a beautiful day!” was exhilarating and I hated being the newcomer.
Listen:

One Day Like This - Elbow

Visit: http://www.elbow.co.uk/

The English Beat
Margaret Thatcher has been out of the spotlight for several years. This, however, did not spoil the vibe of hearing “Stand Down Margaret” live. It still feels relevant these days as more and more Americans have discovered they have a voice in the political process. Original English Beater Dave Wakeling kicked off the show with “Whine and Grine / Stand Down Margaret” at the cozy Loft in Atlanta. It was loud, hot, and crowded…it was Ska.
Listen:

Whine And Grine/Stand Down Mar...

Visit: http://www.thebeatuk.com/Home.html

Five Eight
Throughout the evening, Mantione seemed to be creating the set list from his head. He began several songs while Horowitz and Ferguson looked at each other perplexed as to what this song was. And song after song, they figured it out and joined in seamlessly. With comparisons having been made to the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and the Replacements, Five Eight will pull you into their own style and sound and leave you wanting more. With a new album in the works and a scheduled New Year’s Eve gig with the Modern Skirts back at Smith’s Olde Bar, these guys will get another chance to show everyone they’re still around.
Listen:

Alexander Graham Bell - Five E...

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/fiveeight

Los Campesinos!
Gareth frequently channeled John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), which for a punk fan may be pure gold. He does, however, delve quite successfully into really rhythmic and hooky lyrics. The band amazed the audience with such gems as “Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats,” “We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives,” and the contagious “You! Me! Dancing!” (“If there’s one thing I can never confess / It’s that I can’t dance a single step”).
Listen:

You! Me! Dancing! - Los Campes...

Visit: http://loscampesinos.com/

Colin Hay
He did his fair share of jabbing at contemporaries who, let’s just say, have enjoyed a little more success. Hay expressed his true admiration of Sting’s shoulders. “I mean, he’s an incredible singer and songwriter - ‘Roxanne!’ – but have you seen those shoulders?” And fun was also made of Sting’s name. He then went on to have a run on U2’s the Edge, and how Edge’s grandmother may have reacted to hearing his new nickname (“He’s calling himself what?”). Not coincidentally, Men at Work, the Police, and U2 were all vying for record sales at the same time. So, you may say Colin is a tad bitter, but I’d like to believe that he’s just having some fun.
Listen:

Beautiful World (From Colin Ha...

Visit:

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are enjoying that initial taste of success. Supporting their first full length, self-titled album (Slumberland Records), these shoegazers have received some critical acclaim. Commercial acclaim may soon follow. With a sound reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, the Pains supply a wall-of-guitar sound and swift drumming accompanied by buried, sometimes unintelligible lyrics (not quite a “Murmur,” but some songs come close). All this with a sugary-sweet pop sensibility.
Listen:

Young Adult Friction - The Pai...

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/thepainsofbeingpureatheart

Phoenix
One encore included “Everything Is Everything,” the incredible disco sounds of “If I Ever Feel Better,” and the current hit “1901.” As it was the last song, the band seemed to want to never leave the stage. Mars descended the stairs at the Variety Playhouse and made his way into the masses. He found a ledge on which to stand, gave some more thanks, then surfed his way back to the stage on a sea of hands. All this while the band jammed on. The world shall soon discover Phoenix and their perfect pop music.
Listen:

1901 - Phoenix

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix

Sea Wolf
Alex Brown Church is an artist on the verge of success…to the average American, that is. While your neighbor may think you’re talking about the Jack London novel of the same name, Church has quietly built a fan base and some much-deserved exposure for his band Sea Wolf. Hailing from California, Sea Wolf has a song on the soundtrack to the new film, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Sharing the bill with such alt-rock gods as Death Cab For Cutie, Muse, and Thom Yorke, this is sure to garner Sea Wolf the respect and attention they deserve.
Listen:

Wicked Blood - Sea Wolf

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/seawolf

U2
Music fans around the world speculate after each new U2 album and subsequent tour whether or not it will be their last. And time after time, the Dubliners return evolved with a new look and sound. This was most noticeable between the rootsy ode to America that was The Joshua Tree and the techno awesomeness of Achtung Baby. The mid nineties were iffy for the members of U2, however. Talk of a breakup persisted, especially after Zooropa and Pop failed to sell as expected. But the band managed to redefine itself once again and land on their feet.
Listen:

Breathe - U2

Visit: http://www.u2.com/index/home/

Walkenhorst & Porter
Fast-forward to 2009 and the CD release party for No Abandon. This is not the most upbeat selection of songs, but rather an attempt by the songwriters to take a look back as well as a look forward. As most middle-agers do, the singers are evaluating and reevaluating their lives – personally and professionally. The result is a wonderful snapshot that is easily accessible to the listener. Walkenhorst’s soulful vocals paint a vivid picture while Porter’s voice is the perfect complement. Walkenhorst and Porter were joined on drums by former Rainmakers drummer Pat Tomek, along with bassist Norm Dahlor from the excellent Celtic rock band the Elders.
Listen:

Overland Hill - Walkenhorst an...

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/walkenhorstandporter

Let’s hope 2010 will be as musically rewarding. Happy New Year!

For complete reviews, click on your band of choice in the righthand column.

105. ELBOW, 8/8/09

Venue: Center Stage, Atlanta
Supporting Act(s): Jesca Hoop
In the Company of: Pete M.

There are few greater experiences than being surprised. And surprised this examiner was when attendeding an Elbow concert for the first time. Actually, stunned is the word. After becoming familiar with this superb quintet just recently, this was worth the risk. It can genuinely be said, ladies and gentlemen, that the clouds parted that evening in Atlanta.

Hailing from the musically rich city of Manchester, England, Elbow just came off a supporting role on Coldplay’s Viva la Vida tour. My humble prediction is that their supporting days are officially over. However, on this night, they were the deserved headliners. The band’s name reportedly comes from the BBC mini-series “The Singing Detective,” in which Philip Marlow believes the word “elbow” to be the most sensuous word in the English language. Not necessarily for the definition, but for the feeling one gets when saying it.

After four studio albums which garnered massive critical success but limited commercial success, Elbow won the UK’s coveted and respected Mercury Prize in 2008 for their latest album The Seldom Seen Kid. Commercial success may finally be on their horizon.

Fronted by the dynamic and intensely charismatic Guy Garvey (lead vocals, guitar, and sometimes percussion), the band includes Mark Potter (guitar, backing vocals), brother Craig Potter (keyboards, organ, backing vocals), Pete Turner (bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), and Richard Jupp (drums). These five men make up the most well-oiled machine I’ve heard live in years. The musicianship is phenomenal, the vocals are emotionally brilliant, and the fans are incredible. newcomers surely felt like part of a minority in the crowd that night, not knowing every lyric.

Elbow kicked off the show with “Starlings,” the first track off their latest release. With Jupp at the drums, the remainder of the band stood at the foot of the stage, trumpets in hand to begin the song. Next up was the wonderful “The Bones Of You” (“So I’m there / Charging around with a juggernaut brow / Overdraft speeches and deadlines to make / Cramming commitments like cats in a sack…”).

On “Mirrorball,” a disco visual was resurrected with a huge mirror ball hanging high above the stage, reflecting onto everyone in the audience. On “Grounds For Divorce,” Garvey snatched up a pair of drumsticks and furiously beat a single drum. He is not just a singer, he is the heart and soul of Elbow. Singing “I’ve been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce / Polishing a compass that I hold in my sleep / Doubt comes in on sticks but then he kicks like a horse,” Garvey showcases his impressive song writing abilities which are exhibited in every song.

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“Weather To Fly” had Garvey asking us, in a high falsetto, “Are we having the time of our lives / Are we coming across clear / Are we coming across fine / Are we part of the plan here?” The answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes.

One of the more uplifting and poignant moments of the night came with the brilliant “One Day Like This.” Uplifting because of Garvey’s lyrics; poignant because the fans knew, felt, and sang all the words…and they’re great words: “What made me behave that way? / Using words I never say / I can only think it must be love / Oh anyway, it’s looking like a beautiful day.” To hear that full Center Stage crowd singing in unison, “It’s looking like a beautiful day!” was exhilarating and I hated being the newcomer.

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To experience this performance was to understand what is special about Elbow. Garvey repeatedly expressed his excitement of being in the “Lost City of Atlantis.” The Center Stage felt like such the mystical place that night. From rock to acoustic to orchestral, Elbow hit on all cylinders and kept on surprising with each new song. And when, during this their final show, he expressed that this was the best show their tour, the crowd believed.

Jesca Hoop warmed the crowd up sufficiently with her singer/songwriter acoustic set. Guy Garvey even lent himself to a duet with her.

Set List:
Starlings
The Bones Of You
Mirrorball
Leaders Of The Free World
The Stops
Mexican Standoff
Grounds For Divorce
The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver
Switching Off
Newborn
Weather To Fly
One Day Like This

Encore:
Some Riot
Station Approach
Scattered Black And Whites