There was a time when Manchester provided the core of the indie rock music scene but since the heyday of New Order, The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, Manchester has been less a innovative scene, more a moribund collection of shameless nostalgia. It's pleasing to report that with Doves and now Elbow, this once proud city is finally producing vital music again. Like Doves, Elbow have been plying their trade for many years now, toying with and discarding music styles before finding their own voice; 'Asleep In The Back' is the result. Guy Garvey's vocals bear a remarkable similarity to Peter Gabriel but despite odd moments of prog rock - i.e. slow songs well in excess of five minutes, lots of organ, instrumental interludes - these tracks emerge fully-formed and built to last. Even though it was a bit too slow-paced and unassuming for the charts, 'Red' was a fine song if not a fine single. As for the album tracks, if one must cherry-pick, the immense 'Newborn' is the standout with 'Powder Blue' and 'Red' itself not far behind. Overall, this is a highly accomplished debut album that will delight all 'Lost Souls' fans.