Elbow frontman Guy Garvey's 11 Favorite Albums

The picture displayed showcases Guy Garvey, the member of Elbow, standing at the center of the group as captured by photographer Peter Neill.

In the snapshot above, you can see Guy Garvey with his band Elbow. The photo was taken by Peter Neill.

The well-established band from Manchester, Elbow, recently launched their 10th album called AUDIO VERTIGO. This new album includes some new elements, such as the addition of horns, which increase the variety of their music. It is one of their greatest albums and most creative since they won the Mercury Prize with The Seldom Seen Kid in 2008. If you want to know more about our opinion of the album, check our review and you can also listen to it right here.

At this point in their career, Elbow has developed a distinct sound. However, AUDIO VERTIGO draws from a variety of influences. According to Garvey, the band referenced several artists for their opening song, such as The Meters, Beastie Boys, Sly and Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix, Arctics, Queens of the Stone Age, Bolan, Tom Waits, Public Enemy and Alison Moyet. As a result, we asked Garvey to compile a list of his top 10 all-time favorite albums. In true rock fashion, he sent us 11, which included LPs from a few of the referenced artists. Garvey's commentary is introspective and full of good-natured humor, which reflects his lyrical style.

Take a look at his list down below.

Here are the 11 albums that Guy Garvey loves the most: 1. Nick Drake – Bryter Layter 2. Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid 3. Talk Talk – Laughing Stock 4. Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love 5. Radiohead – OK Computer 6. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II 7. Kate Tempest – Everybody Down 8. Stevie Wonder – Innervisions 9. The Beatles – Abbey Road 10. Miles Davis – In A Silent Way 11. Lamb – Lamb These albums have a special place in Guy Garvey's heart and are worth a listen if you haven't heard them before!

The album "Catalpa" by Jolie Holland is a favorite of mine and even Tom Waits loves it! It's a cozy, intimate record with all of Jolie's authentic imperfections on full display. She seems like she's from a different era - there is so much passion and emotion in her music. When I met her, I was struck by her natural shyness and kind personality, but when she sings, there's a fire inside of her that makes me feel electrified. One particular moment in the song "All the Morning Birds" stood out to me when she hits an incredibly high, flute-like note that sounds just like a beautiful bird...but then she clears her throat right after, leaving that moment of vulnerability in the recording. To me, that's incredibly cool.

I really liked the album "There's a Riot Goin On" by Sly and the Family Stone when I met the band. It's been my go-to album ever since. Sly famously invited people to come to the studio and add layers to the recordings, only to remove them later. The result is a collection of raw, imperfect tracks that are full of emotion and soul. My favorite song from the album, "Thank You for Talkin' to Me, Africa," is a slowed-down, extended version of "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." It's effortlessly cool and reminds me of my teenage years. Even Elbow still listens to it before they perform on stage.

When we were writing our first album, we had The Dandy Warhols' music on rotation along with others. Their reputation was tarnished by the documentary that exposed their tumultuous relationship with The Brian Jonestown Massacre. However, it's unjust to capture young musicians on film and label them for life. Their music is daring and addictive with a captivating repetitive rhythm. I was lucky enough to have caught them live twice, although both times were in complete darkness, adding to their cool factor. My favorite part of their music is the quirky vocals in "Minnesoter", which truly make this song one-of-a-kind.

Here's a blog about an album called "A Different Ship" by Here We Go Magic. The musicians in this band are truly fantastic and their leader is very creative and artistic. The album was produced by a genius named Nigel Godrich. It's a shame that more people don't know about this album because it's really great. The music is nostalgic, soothing, and clever. The sound quality is top-notch and it has a very cool upstate New York vibe. My favorite part of the album is the song "Over the Ocean," which I always listen to while having a drink on a long flight.

I collaborated on the creation of the Sky at Night album with Craig from Elbow. I won't mention how impressive the production and use of string instruments are, but instead, urge you to appreciate John Bramwell's songwriting. It's truly exceptional. Despite being good friends with the members of I Am Kloot, I first met them through their music. Additionally, the album was nominated for a Mercury award.

The song 'Murmur' by R.E.M. holds a special place in my heart. Although I could have chosen any of their albums, this one always brings me back. When I was 18, all my close friends, except for my Elbow bandmates, left for university on the same weekend. It felt like my first heartbreak, and listening to 'Perfect Circle' while crying alone at my terrible job, made this record feel like a trusted companion. Stipe's lyrics are truly one of a kind.

Joni Mitchell has always been a constant presence in my life - from when I saw her as an exotic American auntie, to my older sister's best friend, to the songwriter who inspired me. As I've grown older, I've noticed some of the naivety in her early work, and she's become like a little sister to me. Throughout it all though, she's been like a mother figure to me. One of her greatest masterpieces is "For the Roses", which she wrote alone in a log cabin. It's a heartbreak record that really captures the pain of lost love. She pleads with him to come back, trying to tempt him with sex and then ultimately curses him to hell. The lyrics are so powerful - "drive your bargains, push your papers, win your medals, fuck your strangers. Doesn't it leave you on the empty side?" At the end of the record, she reminds herself that she's a woman of heart and mind. This song really speaks to me because it captures the true resignation that comes with heartbreak. Every time I've gone through a tough breakup, it's like I reach a point where I just get bored of my own sadness and decide to move on. That's what makes this song so real - it captures the sadness, but also the hope that there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

The drummer from Here We Go Magic told me about the Far East Suite by Duke Ellington 12 years ago. Peter Hale is a great person and his first words to me were, "Have you listened to Duke Ellington?" I told him yes. He then asked me if I had listened to the Far East Suite, and I said no. He told me that I hadn't truly experienced Duke Ellington until I had listened to it. [Laughs] The Far East Suite was written about a Middle Eastern tour, but it showcased the band at their best. They were the coolest band around and played at their coolest level. They were simply the best.

The band Doves hailed from Manchester, a city we were familiar with. Our managers had connections to them, so we were able to obtain demos of their music. We listened to these demos while creating our very first album, Lost Souls. The collaboration between the three band members is a testament to their Lancashire roots, which imbue their music with a majestic quality that captures the essence of the landscape. Their sound also reflects the grit of the North and the influences of Celtic traditions, while maintaining a hip, urban cool. To us, they are like older siblings who inspire us.

Number 10. "Frank's Wild Years" by Tom Waits. I couldn't leave out a Tom Waits album, as he is my preferred wordsmith. I've begun to write as a character, drawing loosely from my own psyche and encounters, but greatly influenced by his music. The record shows Tom in his prime, reveling in the creation of diverse personalities. The plot follows a friend who migrates to New York in search of riches but finds himself destitute and screaming at the moon. Truth be told, when we perform, I envision Tom Waits among the audience.

Melody's Echo Chamber has created an extraordinary art rock album that showcases the love between two individuals. The quality of the music is top-notch and unmatched, not only by the duo themselves but also by any other artist. To truly appreciate their talent, one must experience the album firsthand.

Elbow has scheduled tour dates across the United Kingdom and European Union for the upcoming spring season.

Elbow has announced tour dates for 2024. On May 4th, they will be performing at O2 City Hall in Newcastle. On May 5th, you can catch them at Connexin Live in Hull, and on May 7th, they will be at the Brighton Centre. On May 9th, they will be at The O2 in London, and on May 10th, they will be at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. On May 11th, they will be at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, and on May 12th, they will be at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. On May 14th, they will be at Co-op Live in Manchester, and on May 15th, they will be at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. On June 7th, you can see them at Dreamland in Margate, and on July 1st, they will be performing at Trinity College in Dublin. On July 21st, they will take the stage at Englefield House in Berkshire, and on July 26th, they will be at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire. On August 4th, you can catch them at Audley End in Saffron Walden. On September 8th and 9th, they will be performing at Koninklijk Theater in Amsterdam, and on September 10th and 11th, they will perform at Cirque Royal in Brussels.