Cast of Thousands

by Elbow

Released: August 18, 2003

Alternative rock, art rock, post-rock, dream pop, post-Britpop

The Album

"Cast of Thousands" is the second studio album by the English rock band Elbow, released on August 18, 2003, in the UK and on January 27, 2004, in the US by V2 Records. The album's title is inspired by the song Grace Under Pressure, which features a refrain recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival in 2002 with the audience singing along. Fans who participated in this recording were invited to register their names on the Elbow website and received a credit on the album sleeve.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The US version of the album includes two…

The US version of the album includes two additional tracks: Whisper Grass, a B-side from the single Fallen Angel, and Lay Down Your Cross, a B-side from the single Not a Job.

The Japanese edition features Whisper Grass along with…

The Japanese edition features Whisper Grass along with another B-side, Brave New Shave, from the Fallen Angel single.

To complement the album, a companion film was…

In the UK, this film was released on…

In the UK, this film was released on DVD, while in the US it was included as an enhanced video bonus disc with the album.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

Fugitive Motel

Not A Job

The US version of the album includes two additional tracks: Whisper Grass, a B-side from the single Fallen Angel, and Lay Down Your Cross, a B-side from the single Not a Job.

Grace Under Pressure

The album's title is inspired by the song Grace Under Pressure, which features a refrain recorded live at the Glastonbury Festival in 2002 with the audience singing along.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Elbow - Cast of Thousands

Open in Albums Gallery

Full background

The Complete Album Story

The US version of the album includes two additional tracks: Whisper Grass, a B-side from the single Fallen Angel, and Lay Down Your Cross, a B-side from the single Not a Job. The Japanese edition features Whisper Grass along with another B-side, Brave New Shave, from the Fallen Angel single.

To complement the album, a companion film was created, featuring footage set to all 11 tracks from the UK version of the album, as well as the music videos for the singles Fallen Angel and Fugitive Motel. In the UK, this film was released on DVD, while in the US it was included as an enhanced video bonus disc with the album.