Cast of Thousands

Cast of Thousands
Studio album by Elbow
Released	August 18, 2003 (UK) January 27, 2004 (US)
Recorded	2003
Genre	Indie rock
Length	50:11 59:16 (US version)
Label	V2
Producer	Ben Hillier, Elbow
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Pitchfork Media (7.8/10) link NME link
Elbow chronology
Asleep in the Back (2001) Cast of Thousands (2003) Leaders of the Free World (2005)

Cast Of Thousands is the second album by the band Elbow, released in 2003 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 respondees 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 album as well as the music videos for "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. "Grace Under Pressure" features additional backing vocals from Jimi Goodwin of the band Doves and Cathy Davey.

Track listing

1. "Ribcage" - 6:27
2. "Fallen Angel" - 4:07
3. "Fugitive Motel" - 5:51
4. "Snooks (Progress Report)" - 4:00
5. "Switching Off" - 5:05
6. "Not A Job" - 4:23
7. "I've Got Your Number" - 4:48
8. "Whisper Grass" (Bonus Track) - 4:29
9. "Buttons And Zips" - 3:56
10. "Lay Down Your Cross" (Bonus Track) - 4:44
11. "Crawling With Idiot" - 4:41
12. "Grace Under Pressure" - 4:57
13. "Flying Dream 143" - 1:43

Singles

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

• "Fallen Angel" (August 4, 2003)
• "Fugitive Motel" (October 27, 2003)
• "Not A Job" (February 23, 2004)
• "Grace Under Pressure / Switching Off EP" (July 12, 2004)

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

Trivia

• The two characters on the album cover were giant polystyrene models, dubbed "Elle" and "Bo" which were originally placed by the side of the M1 near Mansfield, Notts but were removed following reported alien sightings by passing drivers. Following the conclusion of the promotional activities for the record, the models were auctioned for charity.