It started with a Facebook posting from my friend, Nate, a musician who lives in Chicago (I’d give credit to his lovely bands but, since he’s about to pass me a leaked album advance, I’ll keep it at that).
Nate wrote:
Just listened to the new elbow record 3 times in a row at the coffee shop while trying to read a book... I've read 14 pages in 3 hours and stared out the window for the remainder. Either this record is brilliant or ive just had some sort of stroke.
Upon reading that, I immediately added a comment:
I adore that band. Jealous you got to hear it in its entirety. Arriving this week, yes? Guy Garvey... Be mine.
Some background:
Elbow is a British (Manchester-based) band, featuring a supremely talented singer-songwriter (the aforementioned Guy Garvey) that I was turned onto by a guy who works at my local CD trade-in store. Based on the stuff that I give away and purchase/trade for in return, he suggested a 2002-dated album called “Asleep in the Back,” by said Elbow. He was right; I thought it was great. Over the past few years, hubby and I have seen the band a few times and about two years ago – at Sixth and I Synagogue – promoting the wonderful CD, “The Seldom Seen Kid,” they gave one of the best live concerts we’ve ever been to together.
So, the prospect of a new Elbow album is, indeed, exciting. The new album, “Build a Rocket Boys!” gets a physical release in the United States on April 12, but a digital version will be available tomorrow (March 8) to coincide with the March 7 UK release.
I was delighted to hear a song from the album on Internet stream from KCRW, the hip Los Angeles NPR station. (I was on the phone with my husband when it came on, courtesy of KCRW's Internet stream and he immediately said, "I'll hang up so you can listen." That's how much we love 'em!)
When I got a press email from a publicist who’s working the new album, I tried to score an advance of the music, but she balked. (“Thank you so much for the lovely words - the love that has been pouring in has been next to none. This band is truly loved!” she wrote back to my gushing comments. But no music.) So, a few hours after leaving the comment on Nate’s wall, I got an email from him that started with a link to a zip file…[redacted] and then said:
not sure how you fee about piracy, somali or otherwise.... but do with this link what you will. alls i know is the first track alone is worth it.
To which I replied:
(sound of Marianne screaming with joy!)
it's not piracy.
I will buy the CD when it's out and see the show and throw myself at Guy and do all other forms of fangirl worship.
burning a copy immediately to share with Terry.
thanks so much!
(how'd you get it?)
Nate’s explanation:
i have many dear nerd friends that are able to troll the internets for things like this.... and even if it's just to hear something like this a few days early it's completely worth it. what an amazing record!
i'm a late comer to the elbow party after just finding out about them last year. but i can't remember the last band i heard that i was able to go back and love everything they've done. so this is a pretty exciting record for me and i can't wait to see them live...
See? This is not about pirating music. This is that rare joy that the music-obsessed share when a band makes music that means something very personal to them and the anticipation of new material is delicious temptation.
And so, last night and tonight, hubby and I immersed ourselves in the new album. And yeah, it made a helluva first impression. And I trust it will grow to reveal itself even more over time.
Here is a taste for you of the extraordinary Elbow, recorded live:
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