The Take Off and Landing of Everything
Elbow · 2014
57 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
A lush blend of introspective lyrics and expansive soundscapes, merging orchestral elements with Elbow's signature indie rock style.
Top tracks — play these first
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New York Morning — This track perfectly encapsulates the album's theme of longing and discovery, mixing buoyant melodies with contemplative lyrics about life in urban spaces.
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Fly Boy Blue / Lunette — The song stands out with its sweeping arrangements and narrative about connection and distance, showcasing Elbow's ability to blend storytelling with rich musical textures.
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The Take Off and Landing of Everything — This title track serves as a reflective culmination of the album’s journey, featuring poignant imagery and a soaring chorus that encapsulates feelings of transition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines lush orchestration with introspective lyrics, creating a distinctive sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, more reflective pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements, adding depth and texture to the indie rock foundation.
- The lyrics often explore themes of nostalgia and introspection, with a focus on personal experiences and emotions.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- atmospheric background focus
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative late-night vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, The Take Off and Landing of Everything is Elbow's sixth studio album, following their critically acclaimed build-up with 2012's Build a Rocket Boys!. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation as a mature act in the British music scene, after winning the Mercury Prize for their earlier album, The Seldom Seen Kid.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Doves· Coldplay· The National
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Blue World 7:13
- 2 Charge 5:16
- 3 Fly Boy Blue / Lunette 6:23
- 4 New York Morning 5:19
- 5 Real Life (Angel) 6:47
- 6 Honey Sun 4:56
- 7 My Sad Captains 6:00
- 8 Colour Fields 3:42
- 9 The Take Off and Landing of Everything 7:11
- 10 The Blanket of Night 4:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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