idlewild1

The latest Idlewild album came after a long gap. Was it worth the wait?

Scottish band, returning after a gap following "100 Broken Windows". Seems they would have released it sooner, but for a meeting in the USA.

Verdict on the album? A definite buy. Rather short, but the multimedia segment makes up for that!

The Idlewild website.

The Album is now released here in the UK.

I just met the band for a short while. Great guys! I mentioned the newer style to Roddy and said how well it worked. I suspected a different approach to recording had been used, confirmed in today's NME. Meant to ask them about it but missed. Ok own up, who had heard of Ichnadamph Lodge before now? On this evidence it is an inspiring place. (So is the whole West Highland region actually!)

The Remote Part Tracklist below.
1 You held the world in your arms
2 A modern way of letting go
3 American English
4 I never wanted
5 (I am) What I am not
6 Live in a hiding place
7 Out of routine
8 Century after century
9 Tell me ten words
10 Stay the same
11 In remote part / Scottish fiction

Produced by Dave Eringa, [with Guy Massey (tk6)]
Engineered by Guy Massey
Tk 3 Original direction and inspiration, c/o Lenny Kaye
Mixed by Dave Eringa, assisted by Dan Grech-Marguerat
Tk 9 Produced by Steven Street, engineer Cenzo Townsend

Support your local poet.

Pic above from the band site.

The songs on the album date from 2001. Dave Eringa also produced / mixed 100 Broken Windows.

Note that an extra guitarist is present onstage for several tracks, which is essential to reproduce several tracks onstage. That was a feature of a group "Wishbone Ash" in earlier years. Perhaps Idlewild may grow in membership? The studio results with two guitars are really fine. Same may be so for keyboards too.

Idlewild Feature

There was an article, with discography / valuations in the September 2002 edition of Record Collector. I was asked to provide them with scans of some of the singles etc. See the dealers page here for contact, or e. mail me.

Idlewild Site

Short video comments on the album by Rod and Roddy. Saw it after I wrote the review! This may have gone now.

To join the Group Idlewild_Captains, click the Join Now box to the left. There are also other Idlewild "groups" at Yahoo! At present there is no moderator.

The review here is the initial draft. I plan to edit further. Lyrics to follow.

The other Idlewild albums and site links

Much more info here.

Another Idlewild Site

To Lyrics

Captain

Hope Is Important

100 Broken Windows

First "Mini album".

If you are expecting an album with similar tracks, you are in for a pleasant surprise.

Release in UK July 16, 2002

This is a rather hurried initial draft review. Written as heard. If any reader wants to comment, please do!

1 you held the world in your arms (3:21) A powerful opener, band and swirling strings, As the vocal begins the strings subside, returning in the strong chorus. Purely instrumental section precedes a concluding repeat of the chorus and a near feedback close.

7 out of routine (3:09) A blazing guitar, drum and bass burst in, very much in the old punk style, but the vocals, first solo then multi, are more melodic, with just a trace too of the Woomble scream! The whole repeats, maintaining the pulse throughout and just stops! Yay!

2 a modern way of letting go (2.23) Fuzzy guitar, hectic drumming and an almost agressive vocal style here, not quite as extreme as the early punk style, much more melodic, with a lot of double guitar work, but there is a yelled "go" at the end, just before the track abruptly closes!

8 century after century (4:02) An interesting track here, with quite different vocal episodes over a steady beat, but varied instrumental effects, including considerable percussion dexterity over the basic beat. Even a "processed" vocal line midway! The sections (roughly) repeat.Almost (er) Matt Bellamy like guitar at times! Complex interlaced vocals lead to the conclusion. Give this one a replay - it warrants one!

3 american english (4:35) Comes as a complete surprise to the listener, chiming and strummed guitars envelop Roddy as he gently sings the opening verse. Bass and drums join midway, adding detail, particularly into the chorus. Verse 2 has all playing, with much delicate percussion work from Colin. The chorus repeats, with a variant midway "i won't tell you what this means 'cause you already know" and a further modified repeat, with multi vocals. The closing vocal coda over a simple strummed guitar is a very effective and musical touch too.

9 tell me ten words (3:46) We need a break here, Two guitars are again used against the vocal, introducing a short melodic figure, with the drums /bass entering later, as the chorus "Can you Tell Me Ten Words" builds up. There is a melodic guitar line for most of the time, almost like a loop, in the mix, with the melodic figure. The whole then repeats, but not exactly in the same way, with an extended section after it. Rather surprising conclusion though.

4 i never wanted (3:55) Bass and drums open, then guitar details, building to "all I never wanted" in the chorus, with a very clear guitar line against it.The sections repeat, with a shortened chorus The third verse is much lighter at the start, "there is no reason" with extensive use of backing vocals, which continue into the (much modified) chorus, which in turn leads to dual guitars and a very odd close - almost as if the tape broke!

10 stay the same (3:11) Feedback! Rapid drumming and a strong guitar again bring back the earlier style, There is a less frantic middle section, with Roddy most particular over the lyrics. A near cacophany from the guitar (2:25) ensues after this - not managing to stop Roddy though, and the track ends almost as if the tape broke again! Quite breathless!

5 (I am) What I am not (2:44) Angry guitar effects from Rod open this far more energetic track the opening section is altogether more agressive, especially in the chorus (Colin has to work hard!). The sections repeat, though the lyrics don't, apart from the chorus). There is even an energetic instrumental break before the final concluding "i am what i am not" chorus disintegrates as the previous track did! Get your breath back time!

11 in remote part / scottish fiction (3:55) The track is in two quite different sections. Two acoustic guitars support a gentle lyric from Roddy. The second verse adds drums and bass and wordless backing vocals. Then a repeating fuzz guitar phrase bursts in, over the recited poem "Scottish Fiction" with further guitar effects and keyboard mixed in after the poem ends. A sudden concluding break to three simple piano chords ends the album!

6 live in a hiding place (3:17) Is exactly what is needed. A single acoustic guitar supports Roddy until the chorus begins and the rest join in, including backing vocals. Verse 2 also has Colin as well as the guitar from Rod and the chorus has full accompaniment, with the "hiding place" melody on guitar over the vocal. Acoustic guitar gently concludes here.

Enhanced element American English video - Excellent! Two short films - music, pics..

The Singles From The Album.

I hope to transcribe lyrics for the "B Sides. If anyone else can help, or do "tabs" etc, please e.mail.

2002 You held the world in your arms

Available on ECD, CD and 7" Vinyl (Ltd)

(1)You held the world in your arms. (Producer Dave Eringa) starts both.

CD 1 (2) all this information Produced and mixed by Stephen Street Just the basic band here, with qiite a lot of backing vocal or multi part work here. Strong harmonically with an interesting syncopation at times and a lot of guitar detail from Rod.

CD 2 (2) distant history Produced and mixed by Dave Eringa A curiously syncopated start here, which underpins even the chorus - Colin has quite a pattern to follow here! Guitar runs across the pattern, Bob's bass augments it, and is left alone for a time, then joined by drums and piano, then guitar and a chiming vocal, repeating almost to the close (fades)

(3) no generation Produced and mixed by Stephen Street Spiky guitar starts, but the rhythmic pattern soon gets going, with a lot of quite intricate drumming from Colin. The Spiky bit repeats, followed as before, with another string chorus over Rods guitar. "promise I wont'-- leads to the conclusion.

(3) i was made to think it Produced and mixed by Stephen Street The whole band again begins here in a syncopated style. Vocals are again in two (or more?) lines in the chorus. "it wasn't real, it wasn't nothing" crops up a lot. Almost a feedback conclusion on guitar.

(4) Video You held the world in your arms.

N.B.This section needs more work

June 2002 american english

Available on ECD, CD and 7" Vinyl (Ltd)

The title track is an outstanding one by any standards.
ECD (2) poor thing (SS)(p)
ECD (3) these are just years
CD (2) the nothing i know (DE)
CD(3) we always have to impress (SS)(ps)

DE Dave Eringa SS Stephen Street
p / ps piano (and synth) Jeremy Mills

(1) american english (produced / muxed by Dave Eringa) Starts both.

CD 1

CD 2

Video. american english features the band in what appears to be a Victorian hall.

This page created 17th July 2002 Updated 28th. May 2003.

	The Remote Part Tracklist below. 1 You held the world in your arms 2 A modern way of letting go 3 American English 4 I never wanted 5 (I am) What I am not 6 Live in a hiding place 7 Out of routine 8 Century after century 9 Tell me ten words 10 Stay the same 11 In remote part / Scottish fiction Produced by Dave Eringa, [with Guy Massey (tk6)] Engineered by Guy Massey Tk 3 Original direction and inspiration, c/o Lenny Kaye Mixed by Dave Eringa, assisted by Dan Grech-Marguerat Tk 9 Produced by Steven Street, engineer Cenzo Townsend Support your local poet.
Pic above from the band site.
The songs on the album date from 2001. Dave Eringa also produced / mixed 100 Broken Windows.
Note that an extra guitarist is present onstage for several tracks, which is essential to reproduce several tracks onstage. That was a feature of a group "Wishbone Ash" in earlier years. Perhaps Idlewild may grow in membership? The studio results with two guitars are really fine. Same may be so for keyboards too.

Idlewild Feature	There was an article, with discography / valuations in the September 2002 edition of Record Collector. I was asked to provide them with scans of some of the singles etc. See the dealers page here for contact, or e. mail me.
Idlewild Site	Short video comments on the album by Rod and Roddy. Saw it after I wrote the review! This may have gone now.
	To join the Group Idlewild_Captains, click the Join Now box to the left. There are also other Idlewild "groups" at Yahoo! At present there is no moderator.

If you are expecting an album with similar tracks, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
Release in UK July 16, 2002	This is a rather hurried initial draft review. Written as heard. If any reader wants to comment, please do!
1 you held the world in your arms (3:21) A powerful opener, band and swirling strings, As the vocal begins the strings subside, returning in the strong chorus. Purely instrumental section precedes a concluding repeat of the chorus and a near feedback close.	7 out of routine (3:09) A blazing guitar, drum and bass burst in, very much in the old punk style, but the vocals, first solo then multi, are more melodic, with just a trace too of the Woomble scream! The whole repeats, maintaining the pulse throughout and just stops! Yay!
2 a modern way of letting go (2.23) Fuzzy guitar, hectic drumming and an almost agressive vocal style here, not quite as extreme as the early punk style, much more melodic, with a lot of double guitar work, but there is a yelled "go" at the end, just before the track abruptly closes!	8 century after century (4:02) An interesting track here, with quite different vocal episodes over a steady beat, but varied instrumental effects, including considerable percussion dexterity over the basic beat. Even a "processed" vocal line midway! The sections (roughly) repeat.Almost (er) Matt Bellamy like guitar at times! Complex interlaced vocals lead to the conclusion. Give this one a replay - it warrants one!
3 american english (4:35) Comes as a complete surprise to the listener, chiming and strummed guitars envelop Roddy as he gently sings the opening verse. Bass and drums join midway, adding detail, particularly into the chorus. Verse 2 has all playing, with much delicate percussion work from Colin. The chorus repeats, with a variant midway "i won't tell you what this means 'cause you already know" and a further modified repeat, with multi vocals. The closing vocal coda over a simple strummed guitar is a very effective and musical touch too.	9 tell me ten words (3:46) We need a break here, Two guitars are again used against the vocal, introducing a short melodic figure, with the drums /bass entering later, as the chorus "Can you Tell Me Ten Words" builds up. There is a melodic guitar line for most of the time, almost like a loop, in the mix, with the melodic figure. The whole then repeats, but not exactly in the same way, with an extended section after it. Rather surprising conclusion though.
4 i never wanted (3:55) Bass and drums open, then guitar details, building to "all I never wanted" in the chorus, with a very clear guitar line against it.The sections repeat, with a shortened chorus The third verse is much lighter at the start, "there is no reason" with extensive use of backing vocals, which continue into the (much modified) chorus, which in turn leads to dual guitars and a very odd close - almost as if the tape broke!	10 stay the same (3:11) Feedback! Rapid drumming and a strong guitar again bring back the earlier style, There is a less frantic middle section, with Roddy most particular over the lyrics. A near cacophany from the guitar (2:25) ensues after this - not managing to stop Roddy though, and the track ends almost as if the tape broke again! Quite breathless!
5 (I am) What I am not (2:44) Angry guitar effects from Rod open this far more energetic track the opening section is altogether more agressive, especially in the chorus (Colin has to work hard!). The sections repeat, though the lyrics don't, apart from the chorus). There is even an energetic instrumental break before the final concluding "i am what i am not" chorus disintegrates as the previous track did! Get your breath back time!	11 in remote part / scottish fiction (3:55) The track is in two quite different sections. Two acoustic guitars support a gentle lyric from Roddy. The second verse adds drums and bass and wordless backing vocals. Then a repeating fuzz guitar phrase bursts in, over the recited poem "Scottish Fiction" with further guitar effects and keyboard mixed in after the poem ends. A sudden concluding break to three simple piano chords ends the album!
6 live in a hiding place (3:17) Is exactly what is needed. A single acoustic guitar supports Roddy until the chorus begins and the rest join in, including backing vocals. Verse 2 also has Colin as well as the guitar from Rod and the chorus has full accompaniment, with the "hiding place" melody on guitar over the vocal. Acoustic guitar gently concludes here.	Enhanced element American English video - Excellent! Two short films - music, pics..

The Singles From The Album.
I hope to transcribe lyrics for the "B Sides. If anyone else can help, or do "tabs" etc, please e.mail.	2002 You held the world in your arms Available on ECD, CD and 7" Vinyl (Ltd)
(1)You held the world in your arms. (Producer Dave Eringa) starts both.
CD 1 (2) all this information Produced and mixed by Stephen Street Just the basic band here, with qiite a lot of backing vocal or multi part work here. Strong harmonically with an interesting syncopation at times and a lot of guitar detail from Rod.	CD 2 (2) distant history Produced and mixed by Dave Eringa A curiously syncopated start here, which underpins even the chorus - Colin has quite a pattern to follow here! Guitar runs across the pattern, Bob's bass augments it, and is left alone for a time, then joined by drums and piano, then guitar and a chiming vocal, repeating almost to the close (fades)
(3) no generation Produced and mixed by Stephen Street Spiky guitar starts, but the rhythmic pattern soon gets going, with a lot of quite intricate drumming from Colin. The Spiky bit repeats, followed as before, with another string chorus over Rods guitar. "promise I wont'-- leads to the conclusion.	(3) i was made to think it Produced and mixed by Stephen Street The whole band again begins here in a syncopated style. Vocals are again in two (or more?) lines in the chorus. "it wasn't real, it wasn't nothing" crops up a lot. Almost a feedback conclusion on guitar.
(4) Video You held the world in your arms.	N.B.This section needs more work

	June 2002 american english Available on ECD, CD and 7" Vinyl (Ltd) The title track is an outstanding one by any standards. ECD (2) poor thing (SS)(p) ECD (3) these are just years CD (2) the nothing i know (DE) CD(3) we always have to impress (SS)(ps) DE Dave Eringa SS Stephen Street p / ps piano (and synth) Jeremy Mills
(1) american english (produced / muxed by Dave Eringa) Starts both.
CD 1	CD 2

Video. american english features the band in what appears to be a Victorian hall.