Half-Speed Mastering is an elaborate process whereby the source and the turntable on the disc cutting lathe are run at 16 2/3 R.P.M. The result is a record that is capable of extremely clean and un-forced high-frequency response as well as a detailed and solid stereo image. These half-speed masters of three classic albums were all cut by Miles Showell, the Mastering Engineer at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. Each album is pressed onto 180 gram heavyweight vinyl and includes a download card. This was Elbow's second album released in 2003. following on from the mercury nominated Asleep in the Back, Cast of Thousands saw Guy Garvey adopt a more optimistic lyrical path from the opening track Ribcage with Garvey singing about pulling his ribs apart to Let the Sun Inside, with the vocals swept up together by the London Community Gospel Choir. As has been pointed out by many - the song really does sound like salvation. Grace Under Pressure is, a towering mix of tribal percussion, choral voices and Glastonbury's crowd shouting, "we still believe in love, so fuck you" emphasising the feeling of hope.