speed of dark

Of all the Scots bands that I like, Idlewild is at the top of the list or near it. Their first album, 100 Broken Windows has been the standard of comparison for Scottish rock since I got it in 2001, and their 2003 follow-up The Remote Part only upped the ante. 2005's Warnings/Promises probably was meant to be thoughtful and reflective, but to me it came of as listless.

I always thought Idlewild's long lines and multi-syllablic vocabulary was adorable but a bit pretentious, but I loved them for their lofty intentions. In Make Another World, the pretentions are gone and all the things I liked about them in the beginning are brought back in spades.

Everything, as it moves,

As it moves I watch it turn right into gold

--"Everything (As It Moves)"

Just how this record turns into gold for my ears. All the energy, the dazzling guitars, the long repeated phrases, and the lovely dark melodies are present--all the things that made every song my favorite song the minute I heard it. The harmonies are intact, and the songwriting has a new, sharper focus. I dragged out 100 Broken Windows and The Remote Part CDs and gave them a listen just to be sure my perceptions were on track, and I found that the new maturity made me like the current CD even more than these.

Make Another World has the freshness of a first album teamed with the skill and talent of a band that has been in the business for over a dozen years, which Idlewild has. Although "No Emotion" was released as the single on iTunes, Idlewild may as well have drawn a number from a hat or thrown darts to select it because most of the other songs are just as good or better.

It is officially in my Best of 2007 list, and it wouldn't surprise me if it ends up in the top five. Yes! Buy it! amazon or itunes


A Ghost In the Arcade from Make Another World (2007)

Live In a Hiding Place from The Remote Part (2003)

These Wooden Ideas from 100 Broken Windows (2001)


myspace | Official website | Buy: amazon, itunes

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