By Chuck Myers
Knight Ridder Newspapers

At one time, the British rock group Elbow seemed destined to wither on the vine.

But as it turned out, the group's music simply took a bit longer to ripen.

Many of the songs on the band's debut album, "Asleep in the Back," were originally recorded in the 1998. But their label at the time, Island Records, decided against releasing the album and ultimately dropped the band. Undaunted by the setback, the group persevered, releasing two EPs, "Newborn" and "Any Day Now," with an indie label based in Manchester, England. After the songs received positive feedback from critics, V2 Records stepped up and signed the group, and finally released its overdue album in 2001.

Bookended by the smoldering "Any Day Now" and the bittersweet "Scattered Blacks and Whites," the songs on "Asleep in the Back" are driven by trance-inducing keyboards, pulsating rhythms and lead singer Guy Garvey's haunting lyrics. The music surges like a rhythmic rolling wave - with a passionate undertow.

With a sound evocative of early Genesis or Pink Floyd, Elbow's music eases you in and does not overwhelm with grandiose splashes. But neither does it lack punch. In "Bitten by the Tailfly," blazing guitar intervals lacerate the tribal-like beat that propels the tune.

Garvey's despondent, often lamentable lyrics are drawn from his personal observation and experiences. The plaintive "Powder Blue," for instance, muses on the co-dependant dynamics of a drug addicted couple that Garvey once encountered in a Manchester bar.

Ironically, had Island Records not hesitated a few years ago, Elbow may have gotten the drop on last year's breakout sensation, Coldplay.
While Elbow initially drew comparisons to their popular British counterparts, bass player Pete Turner says Elbow actually has more in common musically with another noted group.

"Radiohead - they're definitely an influence. We all love Radiohead," said Turner. "But we knew the Coldplay comparisons would probably stop when the album came out, and people actually heard the album a few times."

Turner, guitar player Mark Potter, drummer Richard Jupp and keyboardist Craig Potter (Mark's brother) grew up in Manchester and have know each other since childhood. They formed their first group, Soft, about 10 years ago.

"We started playing together when we were 15," recalls Mark Potter. "And then we met Guy when we were about 17. That's when Craig joined the band."

"There's very rarely an argument between us," adds Turner.

Although the band has followed a roundabout route with different record companies, Turner credits V2 with giving Elbow creative flexibility and having the patience to allow the band to develop.

"They gave us complete artistic control of the music, visuals, artwork - everything. It was what we wanted. They were happy for a slow build as well."

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