Leaders of the Free World (Deluxe Edition)

'Leaders of the Free World' was the third studio album from Elbow and was originally released in 2005. It was entirely self-produced at Blueprint Studios in Salford, Manchester a space the band hired for the duration of their recording sessions. 'Leaders...' has been described as a love-letter to a place, to home, to Manchester.

The 'Leaders of the Free World' deluxe edition is expanded to a 3 disc set which includes a CD of rare live tracks and previously unreleased BBC sessions as well as a DVD movie. The DVD is a visual presentation of the album, including imagery and projection used from when the band play live, along with behind-the-scenes footage.

"Despite being cast as a gloomy bunch on their first two albums - 2001's Asleep in the Back and 2004's Cast of Thousands - Elbow trudge on as an emotional band. Singer/songwriter Guy Garvey doesn't wallow in failed relationships as much as he enjoys being cynical and playful about the world around him. Sure, Elbow's more melodic, pensive moments such as "The Stops" and "The Everthere" are classic heartbreakers, with piano-driven melodies lush in melancholic acoustic guitars and Garvey's somber disposition. Leaders of the Free World really comes to life when Elbow give in, allowing these songs to grow into something glorious. Album opener "Station Approach" and "Forget Myself" are brilliant examples of this. "Forget Myself" metaphorically points fingers at a media-obsessed culture that is equally blasé about its own issues. Garvey throws his hands in the air, sighing to himself to "look for a plot where I can bury my broken heart." The album's title track also criticizes a very questionable political system, demanding, "I need to see the Commander in Chief and remind what was passed on to me" as a storm of electric guitars mirrors an anxious, waxing delivery by the band itself - "Passing the gun from father to feckless son, we're climbing a landslide where only the good die young." Elbow are a great band regardless of what it takes for them to find their footing. Leaders of the Free World is a bit more rock & roll than not, with guts and heart, because Elbow have finally embraced their powerful, surrounding space this time out."
-All Music Guide