Cast of Thousands

Updated on Nov 21, 2023

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Length 50:09 Artist Elbow Label Universal Music LLC		Producer Ben Hillier, Elbow Release date 13 August 2003

Released 18 August 2003 (UK) 27 January 2004 (US) Recorded 2002-2003 at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool Cast of Thousands (2003) Leaders of the Free World (2005) Genres Alternative rock, Indie rock, Britpop, Art rock, Dream pop, Post-rock Similar Elbow albums, Indie rock albums

Elbow ribcage

Cast of Thousands is the second studio album by English rock band Elbow, released on 18 August 2003 in the UK and on 27 January 2004 in the US by V2 Records. The album title refers to the song "Grace Under Pressure", whose refrain was recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival in 2002, as sung by the audience during the band's set. Participants were then invited to register their names at the Elbow website, with all responders gaining a 'credit' on the album sleeve. The US version of the album contains two additional songs: "Whisper Grass" (which was a B-side to first single "Fallen Angel") and "Lay Down Your Cross" (a B-side to third single "Not a Job"). The Japanese version includes "Whisper Grass" and "Brave New Shave" (another "Fallen Angel" B-side) as bonus tracks.

A companion film was also produced in conjunction with the album's release. It features footage set to all 11 tracks on the UK version of the album, as well as the music videos for the singles "Fallen Angel" and "Fugitive Motel". In the UK the film was released on DVD, whereas in the US it was released as an enhanced video bonus disc with the album.

Elbow buttons and zips

Album cover

The two characters on the album cover were 10 feet (3.0 m) tall female and male polystyrene figures, named "Elle" and "Bo", which were originally placed by the side of the M1 motorway near Mansfield, but were removed by police following reported "alien" sightings by passing drivers. Following the conclusion of the promotional activities for the record, the models were auctioned for charity.

UK version

All tracks written by Elbow; all lyrics by Guy Garvey.

"Snooks (Progress Report)" takes its name from blind blues singer and guitarist Snooks Eaglin

Japanese version bonus tracks

US version

All tracks written by Elbow; all lyrics by Guy Garvey.

Cast of Thousands film version

(released 3 November 2003 in UK, 27 January 2004 in US):

Disc one

As the standard album release in each country (11 tracks in UK, 13 tracks in US)

Disc two

(released as a DVD in UK, and as an enhanced CD-ROM in US)

Singles

In the UK, there were four singles released from the album:

"Ribcage" was released as an online track in May 2003 but was never a full single.

"Fallen Angel" (4 August 2003)

"Fugitive Motel" (27 October 2003)

"Not a Job" (23 February 2004)

"Grace Under Pressure"/"Switching Off" EP (12 July 2004)

Additional musicians

Additional vocals on "Ribcage" - The London Community Gospel Choir

Strings on "Fugitive Motel" and "Crawling with Idiot" (arranged by Ian Burdge):

Ian Burdge, Chris Worsey - cello

Stephen Bussey, Catherine Browning, Everton Nelson, Maya Bickel, Alison Dods, Gillon Cameron, Giles Broadbent & Sally Herbert - violins

Additional vocals on "Grace Under Pressure" - The London Community Gospel Choir, Jimi Goodwin, Alfie, Marcus Garvey, Beckie Garvey, Gina Garvey, Cathy Davey & the crowd at Glastonbury 2002 (Marcus, Beckie and Gina Garvey are singer Guy Garvey's brother and sisters)