New Elbow Album

If it wasn't for this Forum I would not have known there was a vinyl release, so thanks for the info. My vinyl copy arrived from Universal this am. £14.99 for a double LP 45rpm, packaged in a jiffy bag and a sturdy cardoard box is excellent value.

Musically I think its a gem, well worth a punt if you like anything they've ever done.

Not problem with my copy from Universal @£16.99 inc postage

unlike Amazon £34.88

"And silence is another way of saying what I wanna say"

Good to see you back Adrian.

My copy from Universal is top quality as well. The band really sound on top of their game right now. Wish I got a ticket for this tour, maybe next time.

Adrian

Did you manage to get a copy without fingermarks?  I've had two copies so far (one more on the way) both badly fingermarked.

Great album and a wonderful gig in Brighton.

Adrian

I'm glad you enjoyed the O2 as much as I did Brighton.  Amazing respect from GG to the audience and from the audience to GG.  Quite surprising in 2011 to go to such a classy gig.  Lighting as well as sound was superb.  No spots on the band, all about the whole not one aspect. 

I agree with you, if I could I'd go again.

Universal just shipped version three of the vinyl.  Will probably have to dig the Keith Monks out >

See you later in the year

Mine finally arrived, and like yours the discs have caused the covers, inner and outer, to split.

This seems to happen to every single record I get these days (although I have received good replacement service from most companies). My copy of the Blackfield album that arrived today also was similarly damaged (the inner sleeve especially has a rip four inches long)

In the context of what is happening in Japan and Libya this all seems embarrassingly petty, but these records do cost a lot and for the covers to look secondhand when they arrive is always a bit of a disappointment that usually manages to take the shine off listening to the record for the first time (or not in the case of Elbow as it's taken so long).

Why is this do you think? - I don't remember every single LP in my youth ripping its way through the cover (and usually at the top for some reason). It happened occasionally, but not every time. And it is not simply the weight of the records (which occurred to me as an explanation) as my copy of the new Patrick Wolf single also had a split cover, and the disc weighs next-to-nothing. They've come to France in my case, but I genuinely don't think French postmen play frisbee with them, and the covers are otherwise undamaged.

Oh well. like I say it's a small thing, but much as I love vinyl, I'm almost beginning to have second thoughts..

.

First post here in the Music Room. My copy of the LP had the same problems that you mentioned (split inner sleeves and what looks like finger marks but, (I think) is just pretty poor vinyl). In spite of the album cover looking really well made, I fear that the quality of the paper/cardboard is quite poor which causes the vinyl to cut through the sleeves.

I've been a big Elbow fan since Asleep in the Back and simply loved that album and Cast of Thousands, but since then the gradual slip into ever more commercial records and the desire to play 'stadium tours' has started to leave me cold. I've seen them three times here in NYC where they've played to small audiences at venues like he Hiro Ballroom and they were amazing shows. I have to say though that I'm not connecting with this new album in the same way...

I just received the most charming e-mail from Burning Shed in respect of the Blackfield album and a new cover is on the way (which is especially considerate as they have to pack and post to France).

I am yet to contact Universal as I want to see if the record plays okay first, based on the comments above, but I doubt their service could be of the Burning Shed standard:

(I am sure they wouldn't mind me quoting):

I simply cannot believe the state of the records in mine. They both look like they have been thrust into their inner sleeves by someone who had just wiped their hands in their armpits and grabbed the discs flat on both sides. There is a smudge on one side that looks for all the world like cigarette ash.

It took 20 days to arrive, the sleeve is torn in four places, and the records appear secondhand.

I'm wondering if I got one of the ones you sent back.

What a disappointment. 

It all seems a bit petty with what is going on in Japan and Libya, but if this is how record companies treat their customers, then no wonder they're going down the pan...

One side didn't even sound okay - I think there is grease in the grooves, and I'm reluctant to clean something I intend to send back, they're so filthy the marks appear in photographs easily.

Outstanding album, wish I could have seen them live.

The third copy has arrived and both discs are marked.  This carton had also been dropped on one of its corners crushing it and the album's bottom right hand corner.

I'm giving up.

I have a friend who gave up after three, but I am waiting for my second. Since they refunded me the postage (from France, €11) then I hope they will check it over first, fingers crossed. Their e-mail communication, speed and politeness has been beyond reproach I have to say. Clearly the records are being dispatched from the factory or something.

I really want the vinyl, I am starting to enjoy the album a great deal - really lovely. The music is what counts after all.

Cheers

Rod

OK so my copy has the same "extras" , this is beyond funny, is there any QA at the pressing plant I have to ask? Dented covers is a risk but a dirty, warped and what looks like a scratch (but isn't) across side 1 is piss poor.

I tried to clean disk 1, didn't touch the marks. 

I haven't looked at disc 2 yet.

Is there anyone out there who has a clean, flat, and quiet copy ??

Strongly worded e-mail coming up.

Not sure I'll even try for a replacement, just get a refund and the CD version.

Any one contacted POLYDOR or ELBOW?

I felt 'ho hum' about this album until I had played it 5 or 6 times and now I can't get the tunes out of my head. I think it's as good as anything they've done.

I got to see them at the O2 in Dublin on Thursday - a great performance ruined by overloud amplification , but for consolation I got to shake hands with and talk to GG for a minute afterwards. Don't know what I said to him, but he comes across as really nice person.

Anyone know why my earlier post is time stamped 3am when I posted it about 11.50am?

I've asked for a replacement vinyl album we'll see what that brings.

Elbow on Jules Holland, replay Friday and iPlayer, unfortunately you'll have to up with Beady Eye.

Has US changed to DLST? I'm an hour slow know!!

Take 2 replacement album has arrived, it doesn't look any different, it's almost like a "marbled" edition.

Still not truly flat, only played disc 2 side 1track 2 is less distorted but still not very good.

 Oh yes major surgery required to get the discs out of the sleeves.

Return to Universal Music on Monday for both copies.

I must have been very lucky judging by the posts both on here & PFM apart from the pressing marks my copy both discs are completely flat with no noise, no complaints about the gatefold sleeve either!

Gets better every time you hear it as well!