Dead in the Boot is a B-sides compilation album by the English alternative rock band Elbow, released in the UK on 27 August 2012. The title is a reference to the band's debut album Asleep in the Back and was suggested by singer Guy Garvey's sister Beckie.[1]
Reception
The reviews for the album were mostly positive, with many reviewers commenting on the overall downbeat nature of the songs. NME noted that "there is a strain of nocturnal lethargy that seems to run through Elbow's flipsides... it's odd that its somnolent air actually renders it slightly one-note... But there's nothing wrong with a gentle head massage after a hard night."[7] The Daily Telegraph described the tracks as "mostly steady, lo-fi grooves, propelled by blue-collar bluesy riffs, detached electronic bleeps and mournful pianos", and stated that "in the best possible sense, these songs are come-downs, reflective descents from the band's often soaring, more melody-driven A-sides. They may have been left in the band's boot for a while, but there's nothing dead about them."[4] Mojo called it "an accomplished compilation" and proclaimed that "Dead in the Boot is less throwaway than its name suggests."[6]
BBC Music said "This is more than just a stopgap between the albums, and while not exactly standing alongside their best in terms of outright quality, shows that even Elbow's 'hidden' past is worthy of deeper exploration."[3] The Independent had some criticisms, saying that the album was "far from exhaustive, with tracks cherry-picked for quality and sequenced non-chronologically. Indeed, if anything, there's a touch too many of the tender piano ostinatos", but overall opining that "most B-sides compilations seem to have been thrown together to fulfil contracts but Dead in the Boot has a form and substance beyond that".[5]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Guy Garvey, all music composed by Elbow.
| 1. |
"Whisper Grass" |
from "Fallen Angel" CD single, 2003 |
4:30 |
| 2. |
"Lucky with Disease" |
from "Newborn" CD single, 2001 |
3:44 |
| 3. |
"Lay Down Your Cross" |
from "Not a Job" CD single, 2004 |
4:41 |
| 4. |
"The Long War Shuffle" |
from "Leaders of the Free World" CD single, 2005 |
4:14 |
| 5. |
"Every Bit the Little Girl" |
from "One Day Like This" 7" vinyl single, 2008 |
4:25 |
| 6. |
"Love Blown Down" |
from "Fugitive Motel" CD single, 2003 |
4:30 |
| 7. |
"None One" |
from The Newborn EP, 2000 |
3:44 |
| 8. |
"Lullaby" |
from "One Day Like This" CD single, 2008 |
3:15 |
| 9. |
"McGreggor" |
from "Forget Myself" 7" vinyl single, 2005 |
2:40 |
| 10. |
"Buffalo Ghosts" |
from "Open Arms" 10" vinyl single, 2011 |
3:37 |
| 11. |
"Waving from Windows" |
from "Grace Under Pressure"/"Switching Off" CD single, 2004 |
4:14 |
| 12. |
"Snowball" |
from Help!: A Day in the Life album, 2005 |
5:01 |
| 13. |
"Gentle As" |
from "Leaders of the Free World" 7" vinyl single, 2005 |
2:58 |
|
Total length:
|
51:33 |
Personnel
- Elbow
- Guy Garvey – vocals, slide guitar on "The Long War Shuffle", string, percussion, brass & choral arrangements
- Mark Potter – guitars
- Craig Potter – keys, percussion
- Pete Turner – bass
- Richard Jupp – drums, percussion
Release history
| Region |
Date |
Format |
Label |
| United Kingdom |
27 August 2012 |
CD, LP, digital download |
Polydor |
| United States |
19 November 2012 |
CD, LP, digital download |
Xenon |
References
|
|
- Guy Garvey
- Richard Jupp
- Craig Potter
- Mark Potter
- Pete Turner
|
| Studio albums |
|
| Compilation albums |
|
| Singles |
|
| EPs |
|
| Live albums |
|
| Related articles |
|
|
[2]
