On Elbow’s tenths studio album, the band rides the groove on several songs including the swampy murk of first track, “Things I’ve Been Telling Myself For Years” where singer Guy Garvey sings of “kissing hands and shaking babies”. “Her To Earth” uses mumbled lyrics as a sound bed with a bit of an 80s vibe while second single “Balu” sees synths dominate with some horns thrown in for funky effect. “Lovers’ Leap” uses vocal effects with a steady bass groove.
The second half sees the band sound like an older, wiser indie rock band. Newest official member, drummer Alex Reeves provides the quick beats of “The Picture” where a hotel room provides the scene of a woman that is like “a slender elegant foot on the neck”. “Knife Fight” and “Good Blood Mexico City” provide two great rock tracks with Garvey singing “when the sun goes down/the night explodes in their eyes” on the latter. It’s on those songs plus the closing “From The River” that lifts Audio Vertigo up a couple notches for yet another solid Elbow record.
7.5/10
The Light Appears 