I've only spent time with two of them, Micah and Elbow, so can't offer too much of an opinion other than to say that the Micah album is outstanding. There's a song called "I Still Remember" in the middle that is just a heart ripper,
"And I still remember thinking, I wish I could know you, for an eternity, or at least until we grow old. And I still remember thinking, how lovely it could be, to hold you for eternity, or at least until you fell asleep", with Micah trading verses with that angelic Sarah Lowes from the Earlies (who back him and produce the album). Beautiful. And that 8 1/2 minute epic cosmic country closer, "The Day Texas Sank To The Bottom of The Sea", just knocks me out. And the opening block of three songs is a highlight as well. And then there's "Stand in My Way" that comes along with a sad country waltz, interwoven with a mournful cello and accented with plucked strings and a background accordian and piano, initially reminding me a little of a cross between the moody middle section on the great Modest Mouse
The Moon & Antarctica and something from the Black Heart Procession, but then a brass band comes in and drives it more toward Neutral Milk Hotel territory. Great song. Great album. But definitely not something that garners universal praise
I like the latest Elbow, but don't love it, and still much prefer the debut, and the somewhat similar British Sea Power
Open Season this year. The Micah album is probably in my top 5 along with BSP, while the Elbow is outside the top 10, someplace as yet undecided.
NP: "Girl U Want" from Hot Potatoes: The Best of DEVO
