We kiss like we invented it

Elbow offer something of an oxymoron.

Everyone seems to like them.

Yet they seem to be one of the most underappreciated bands around. They garner critical acclaim with seemingly every release, yet it never seems to translate into huge sales. They tend to be spoken of in the same breath as the stadium rock-lite likes of Coldplay and Snow Patrol, yet they never seem to set the charts ablaze in the way those bands do. Not that sales are an important measure of talent. After all, we're all aware that the majority of the record buying public are brain dead, sheep like idiots. And let me hasten to add, I'm not condoning the comparisons to those other bands. They're both incorrect and unfair. Elbow offer a far more interesting and inventive listen. They don't pander to simple ideas or generic emotions. There seems to be far more depth to them both musically and lyrically. Guy Garvey is often referred to as an everyman. An accusation that could be seen as a double edged compliment. But I think there may be some truth in it. He is a lyricist of great talent. Able to make poetry from the mundane. To make the everyday beautiful. Every song has at least one magic line or couplet. And then he sings them with such heartbreaking tenderness.

In many ways, I think Elbow are a band in the classic guise. A true albums band. Which I think goes some way to explaining Guy's recent comments about iTunes. They treat the album as more than a collection of songs. And it shows. I think Elbow wil be one of those bands that in years to come will be much more revered and referenced as influences. Having said that, I have this sneaky feeling that this may be their year. The climate feels right. I can't see them straddling the globe but I do get the inkling they'll breakthrough this year. Fingers crossed. If any band deserves succes, it's Elbow.

And on the evidence of this acoustic set from a session on Mark Radcliffe's Radio 2 show last night, they haven't watered down their sound to court the mainstream. They played two songs from their new album and one from the last album. 'Mirroball' is a soft, troubled love song that caresses and sways around Guy's ever reliable gruff whisper. 'Grounds For Divorce' loses the drunken swagger of the studio in favour of rootsy, bluegrass simplicity that comes across quite as spiritual. And if you don't already know the beauty of 'Great Expectations' I suggest you go buy 'Leaders Of The Free World' almost immediately.

'The Seldom Seen Kid' is released on Monday and Elbow are on tour imminently. I've seen them three times and can highly recommend the experience.

Elbow - grounds for divorce (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'The Seldom Seen Kid'

Elbow - mirrorball (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'The Seldom Seen Kid'

Elbow - great expectations (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Leaders Of The Free World'

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