I'm currently packing up various things, getting ready to bugger off on holiday early tomorrow morning (I should be in bed, really) and I've been going through some new albums to add to my iRiver (like an iPod but bestest).

Anyway, this has led to me a very stark conclusion. Absolutely everyone on Earth should own a copy of Leaders of the Free World by Elbow. It's emotive UK rock/pop in its purest and most glorious form - far better than those Coldplay chaps, whose third album was an absolute dirge fest.

The lead singer, Guy Garvey, has one of the most melodious voices I have ever heard, and he uses it to absolute perfection. It's not just there to spout lyrics, but to act as the most important instrument in the whole arrangement.

And, to top it all off, the lyrics are delightful. The best example being Mexican Standoff, which has to be best track on the album:

Shifting my weight now from foot to foot
What did she see in this man
I'm not superstitious but if I can get
This ball in the basket
Then he'll wake up dead

Your sweet reassurances don't change the fact
That he's better looking than me
Yet he'd look ideal 'neath the wheels of a car
Oh Mexican standoff I wish I was hard

Anyway, there you go. I don't have time for a proper review, but if I did I'd give this 5 stars. So buy it, already.