Review by Dan:

Elbow’s third album was initially called “The Stops”, but this title was canned as it sounded too final. Driving critics to compare the words of Guy Garvey and his crew to another legendary Mancunian lyricist, Morrissey, “Leaders…” is textured and thoughtful, almost a melancholic Coldplay. Opener “Station Approach” monotonously builds and twists, livening up with an authorative drum around halfway through. “Picky Bugger” is good fun, my favourite, bordering on (dare I say it) a funky ditty. “Forget Myself” majestically tells its story of Manchester nightlife whilst soaring at a level even Doves would find extreme, and the title track, with its political swipe at current affairs, is enhanced by strutting guitar solos. Laced with tender, atmospheric ballads (shadowy “Imagined Affair”, museful “The Everthere” and solemn “The Stops”), “Leaders…” soaks into you - this is ‘epic indie’ as its best.