| records |
Next up 'I Don't Have The Map' - starts off relatively quietly (for Idlewild anyway) but soon livens up by the chorus, with the guitars coming in full force, but, shock horror, for a change Roddy refrains from out and out shouting. Nice track and only 2:13 long - this gives us a taste of things to come. 'These Wooden Ideas' is a track in the same mould as the previous one, with soft harmonies hidden in the loud, patented Idlewild sound. 'Roseability' is probably the first track to sound a bit like early REM. A very polite chorus and very restrained harmonics, give way to searing guitars and a touch of the old shouty bits. The track slowly builds up and gets more frantic and louder - then suddenly ends. Track six 'Let Me Sleep (Next To The Mirror)' is another that you can cite REM as an influence - and the only one that you can hear the soft Scottish accent - you could probably put 'Mistake Pageant' in this slot too. I think that 'Idea Track' is joint top as the outstanding track on the album. It manages to bind the old with the new Idlewild to great effect. This would make a perfect next single, and also comes across very well live. 'Listen To What You've Got' is the first one that we get to hear that was recorded by Bob Weston - he of Shellac fame. Raw guitars and power spring to mind - another soon to be favourite live I'm sure. This is the other outstanding song on on the album, by the way. 'Rusty' is another recorded with Mr. Weston much in the same vein. The latest single 'Actually It's Darkness' is a real grower. I didn't like it at first, but after a few plays begins to get embedded in your brain. It's the first single to receive constant airplay on daytime radio, and, shock horror, an appearance on the stagnant Top Of The Pop's, looking completely out of place amongst the manufactured pap that was on the show with them. 'Bronze Metal', the last track, is the most surprising. This is slow and gentle, al la REM 'Automatic For The People'. We really didn't know they had this in them. Beautiful! So to conclude - nothing over four minutes long, bar one at 4:15, this is an album of small and perfectly packaged songs. A big leap forward for the lads, with harmonies and nice tunes - a far cry from the 'Captain' mini album that we all still love them for. They will shed some fans through this album, but I'm sure they will pick up a great deal more on the way. For me, as long as they can keep that special live experience, they still can do no wrong. This is a band in evolution! skippy |