I know nothing about Elbow. I have a record somewhere (is there something called Great Expectations?). Played it but it didn't make me go further. Though as you are doing the recommending I will definitely give them another go.
I totally rely on the recommendations of a handful of enthusaists for new music and have come to the conclusion that anything meant for me will eventually find me. I know that kind of laxity marks me down as something of a semi-pro among more serious Heads but I pretty much stopped worrying about what I might be missing out on when my first child was born back in 86. I simply haven't had the time.