I’m a big fan of Idlewild. I’ve seen them play something like eight times, had a discussion with three of the band whilst too drunk to realise who I was speaking to, despite just watching them play (come on, your last night out before leaving home for university is supposed to be debauched – I even kissed the regulation three pretty girls) and the shelves that house my music collection contain practically all of their sizeable back-catalogue.
Of said back-catalogue, the record I come back to most is 2000′s 100 Broken Windows. I caught a couple of the band’s 2009 album play-through shows at Camden’s Dingwalls and judging by how the crowd received each record it seems I’m not alone in calling this my favourite.
Some in-depth researching on, er, Wikipedia tells me that in 2008, singer Roddy Woomble said that 100 Broken Windows “seems to be the record many people make a connection with.”
So, why this one? 100 Broken Windows is a collection of simple and well-executed ideas – it’s perfectly formed. Every song contains a powerfully uncomplicated hook that the rest of the song seems to be built around. Idea Track, as if to own up to this point, has a verse which repeats the words “one idea track”.
There’s no low-point, the standard never drops. The record’s distorted but melodic pop-rock sound is accessible and Roddy’s vocal delivery, charisma and considered lyrics make for a neat and irresistible package.
It’s worth revisiting again if you’ve not in a while.
These Wooden Ideas:
Roseability:
And, finally, Actually It’s Darkness:
Great record. It’s a shame the band are on semi-permenant hiatus. I hope they’ll be back sometime.
Absolutely totally and utterly agree. Having only being vaguely familiar with Idlewild circa The Remote Part era I recently revisited. Picked up 100 Broken Windows for the first time about a month ago and since then just can’t stop listening to it. Probably overdone the songs at this stage, but well worth it!
ah great, it’s not just me then!