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The Seldom Seen Kid Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth album for the indie rock band features Pulp's Richard Hawley on one track.

Top Track

One Day Like This
Drinking in the morning sun Blinking in the morning sun Shaking off a heavy one Yeah, heavy like a loaded gun What made me behave that way? Using... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The achievement of The Seldom Seen Kid is that Elbow manage to be both incredibly consistent and perpetually improving.
  2. Under The Radar
    90
    The Seldom Seen Kid finds Elbow maturing into their sonic ambitions, adding a sorely missed depth to their ever-present innovation. [Summer 2008]
  3. The Seldom Seen Kid is a stunning record, a career-best from a band whose consistency has seldom been matched by any British indie band this decade.
  4. 80
    Nicer than Pulp, less sappy than Coldplay, Elbow excel at meticulous orchestral pop that doesn't take itself too seriously.
  5. Their fourth album picks up where 2005's "Leaders of the Free World" left off.
  6. Though the album's most overt trait is tenderness, the hetero-waltz 'The Fix' (featuring Richard Hawley on vocals) and the Zeppelin-esque 'Grounds for Divorce' provide a certain masculine muscle, making Kid feel like a male sibling of the Cardigans' equally exquisite 'Long Gone Before Daylight.'
  7. If only you didn’t spoil these tender moments that seem to make my heart want to burst out my chest by goofing around all the time.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 40
  2. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Mar 19, 2023
    10
    It won the Mercury Prize because it was far and away the best album of the year. One of the best bands pf the past 20 years. Consistent andIt won the Mercury Prize because it was far and away the best album of the year. One of the best bands pf the past 20 years. Consistent and always listenable and engaging. England is and should be, proud of this band. Expand
  2. MattW
    Jun 23, 2008
    10
    There are so many good songs on this album. Elbow are probably branded gloomy or depressing by lazy journalists or ignorant people. I urge There are so many good songs on this album. Elbow are probably branded gloomy or depressing by lazy journalists or ignorant people. I urge anyone listen to songs like 'One Day Like This', 'Some Riot' or 'The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver' and not admit they are absolutely beautiful. THE album of 2008. Expand
  3. SD
    Mar 10, 2009
    10
    One of the best albums ever!
  4. Burning
    Apr 23, 2008
    9
    Definitely a brilliant album, and I have to agree that 'Grounds for Divorce' is without question an instant hit. Sadly, this is Definitely a brilliant album, and I have to agree that 'Grounds for Divorce' is without question an instant hit. Sadly, this is supposed to be their last album per se, because they don't find publishing albums in the Internet era profitable. Expand
  5. JustinD.
    Jul 11, 2008
    9
    Great great album. My introduction to the band. Fantastic.
  6. SimonJ.
    Apr 29, 2008
    9
    Elbow/Radiohead, Radiohead/Elbow. I cant decide. Brilliant.
  7. AlO.
    Apr 23, 2008
    4
    If you like these guys, then you'll like this album. Otherwise, be prepared for meandering songs with overwrought lyrics and vocals, If you like these guys, then you'll like this album. Otherwise, be prepared for meandering songs with overwrought lyrics and vocals, forgettably weak melodies, and empty stadium bombast. Dull, dull, dull. Expand

See all 40 User Reviews