Record Review

Elway (2) – The Best Of All Possible Worlds

Artist Elway (2)
Label Red Scare
Catalog # CCCP 240-I
Year 2022
Format Vinyl - LP
Rock

# Elway – The Best Of All Possible Worlds

Elway (2) emerges from the prolific Denver rock scene with "The Best Of All Possible Worlds," a 2022 compilation released on the respected independent label Red Scare. This collection represents a careful curation of the band's work, showcasing their evolution as songwriters and musicians within the contemporary rock landscape.

The album opens with "Pangloss," immediately establishing the band's philosophical bent and introspective lyrical approach. "The Infirm Dreamers Dream" and "The English Wishbone" continue this contemplative tone, revealing Elway's commitment to substantive storytelling. The musical style throughout leans toward thoughtful, guitar-driven rock that prioritizes melody and emotional resonance over flash or technical excess.

Standout tracks demonstrate the band's range. "Unclaimed Graves" brings a darker, more atmospheric quality, while "Maximum Entropy" showcases their ability to build tension and release within traditional rock structures. The second side offers variety with "Folly After Death" maintaining the album's introspective character, though contemporary references like "Deep Fake" suggest the band remains engaged with modern concerns.

"Plastic Bottle Service" and "My Blue Hour" demonstrate softer, more vulnerable arrangements, proving Elway's versatility extends beyond their guitar-forward foundation. Closing track "The Jetty" provides a fitting conclusion, leaving listeners with lingering melodies.

Red Scare's vinyl presentation does justice to this thoughtful collection. For collectors seeking substantial rock with literary ambitions and melodic sensibility, "The Best Of All Possible Worlds" presents an accessible entry point into Elway's catalog and contemporary independent rock.

Tracklist

Side A
  1. 1 Pangloss
  2. 2 The Infirm Dreamers Dream
  3. 3 The English Wishbone
  4. 4 Unclaimed Graves
  5. 5 The Rest Is Posthumous
  6. 6 Maximum Entropy
Side B
  1. 1 Folly After Death
  2. 2 Deep Fake
  3. 3 Plastic Bottle Service
  4. 4 My Blue Hour
  5. 5 The Jetty