Cast of Thousands

Rolling Stone (2/5/04, p.57)
- 3 stars out of 5 - "[A] rock-symphonic cocktail of ringing guitars, jazzy pitter-patter and interstellar sound effects....[It's] the rare art-rock album that comes as much from the heart as the head."

Spin (3/04, p.96)
- "Their second album finds these thoughtful Brits exploring even more emotional territory, replete with ecstatic choir-led choruses." - Grade: A-

Entertainment Weekly (1/23/04, p.98)
- "The slithering guitars and off-kilter rhythms that surround [singer Guy Garvey] make for music that's the definition of late-night listening..." - Rating: B+

Q (01/01/04, p.82)
- Ranked #12 in Q's "The 50 Best Albums of 2003" - "[A] big, weighty record of slow-motion rock..."

Mojo (9/03, p.106)
- 3 stars out of 5 - "Frontman Guy Garvey sounds surprisingly jovial....Elbow didn't lose their ambition when they found inner peace..."

Uncut (01/04, pp.84-7)
- Ranked #58 in Uncut's "Albums Of The Year 2003"

Uncut (9/03, p.100)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "Elbow are more real, raw and ravaged than almost any other current British band. There's horror, humour, never hubris..."

CMJ (11/10/03, p.6)
- "[The band finds] new ways to strike musical nerves....[the album] aims to soar over the heads of Doves and Spiritualized..."