... Fortunately '100 Broken Windows' doesnt have this problem however, holding a much more mature sound, yet retaining the fun, feel good factor of the earlier releases.
The album opens with the single 'Little Discourage', based mostly on an excellent guitar rift and of course one of the finest ... Read review
What often makes the best bands such an attractive proposition is the fact that they ... more
usually have a total disregard for what's going on around them. Listening to Idlewild's100 Broken Windowsis like hearing the thoughts of four people who have chosen to...
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What often makes the best bands such an attractive proposition is the fact that they ... more
usually have a total disregard for what's going on around them. Listening to Idlewild's 100 Broken Windows is like hearing the thoughts of four people who have chosen ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Album bursting in energy, outstanding tracks outweigh the poor Disadvantages: Less than inspiring lyrics, album is far too short
Idlewild are another of those bands I first encountered at 2000's T In The Park music festival... on the main stage before the legend that is Iggy Pop, Idlewild somehow managed to steal the show, and are amongst, if not the finest live band I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Where they may be lacking in inspiration or originality, they more than make up in terms of fun.
First, a bit of background on the band.. Idlewild are a rock/punk ... ...have released only 2 full length LPs along with the EP 'Captain'.. Although warmly received by the music press, they have for some reason failed to set the charts alight to date, though the signs are there that with the release of the new album early next year, they could hit the big time at last. Idlewild though are a band that focuses on the live experience of music, and have toured extensively over the last couple of years, especially in their ... more
Idlewild are another of those bands I first encountered at 2000's T In The Park music festival... on the main stage before the legend that is Iggy Pop, Idlewild somehow managed to steal the show, and are amongst, if not the finest live band I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Where they may be lacking in inspiration or originality, they more than make up in terms of fun.
First, a bit of background on the band.. Idlewild are a rock/punk band hailing from Scotland, relatively new on the scene, they have released only 2 full length LPs along with the EP 'Captain'.. Although warmly received by the music press, they have for some reason failed to set the charts alight to date, though the signs are there that with the release of the new album early next year, they could hit the big time at last. Idlewild though are a band that focuses on the live experience of music, and have toured extensively over the last couple of years, especially in their home country. With this touring, regularly visiting smaller towns and venues, they have opened up a loyal fanbase and hopefully setting the foundations for a long and productive career.
The bands first full length album - 'Hope Is Important' carried many signs of promise, mostly in the track 'When I Argue I See Shapes' which remains the bands finest moment to date, but on the whole the album was mixed, excellent one second, average the next. Fortunately '100 Broken Windows' doesnt have this problem however, holding a much more mature sound, yet retaining the fun, feel good factor of the earlier releases.
The album opens with the single 'Little Discourage', based mostly on an excellent guitar rift and of course one of the finest sing-a-long choruses you are likely to find in modern day rock. The song proves to be the perfect introduction to the album, bursting full of energy and excitement and thus setting the tone for the rest of the LP.
My favourite track on the album is the heavier 'Idea Track'... opening at a slow pace, it suddenly jumps into life with screaming vocals and increased onus on the guitar playing. The pace of the track constantly changes, going from slow to fast, fast to slow and so forth, the vocals may be undistinguishable, but the musicianship is strong and original. In this particular track, it is clear that the lyrics were an after thought, as though the track could have been an instrumental, but the vocals were later added in to create a unique and powerful mood.
The excellent 'Let Me Sleep (Next To The Mirror)' is another highlight to the album. The track is less original than other attempts on the album, keeping in line with more typical British rock, and thus pleasing the early 90's Indie/Brit Pop fan who wont let go of the glory days. Based on a quiet verse, bursting into energy at the chorus, the track sounds better with each passing listen.. and shockingly in Idlewild terms the lyrics are reasonably interesting.
One of the main forces behinnd the bands charm lies with front man Roddy Woomble and his vocal style. Nowadays, many British singers seem to like to pretend they are American when they sing, Roddy doesnt have this problem.. he doesnt try and fake his accent, he just sings and shouts as he pleases, something which the listener may find either annoying, or in my case, highly refreshing.
There really is something for every rock fan on this album, there are the heavier, shoutier tracks which may appeal to Nu-Metal fans, and there are the tracks with anthemic, catchy choruses that will appeal to the Indie/Rock fans. The odd, slower number is also thrown in, but these somehow dont work in my opinion, but I do have friends who prefer these tracks over the others on the album.
The biggest disadvantage to the LP however is the lack of music time, with only 12 songs, the album weighs in at less than 40 minutes, which although makes sure the listener does not become too bored halfway through, doesnt represent good value for money, but then Im the kind of person who likes to see a band fill all 74 minutes of a cd, something which is a common trend in Hip Hop and Soul, yet a rare occurance in the rock orientated genres.
The four singles on the album - Little Discourage, Roseability, These Wooden Ideas and Actually Its Darkness are by no means the best songs on a charismatic album, but what they do is introduce the average radio listener to what the band is about - having a good time. If you are into loud rock music, there is little chance of you not enjoying Idlewild to some capacity, especially on the live scene. This is music to jump up and down to, this is music to rock to, but most importantly, this is music to have a damn good time to.
Advantages: Broaching Majesty While Still Remaining Regal. Disadvantages: Unlikely To Topple The King Of Pop.
If you want to catch them before they are propelled skywards with all the speed of a particularly well armed firework then now is the time. Forging to greater heights with each new release Scotland's Idlewild are in the throes of becoming as important as anything that America can come up with at the moment. Taking their name from the hiding place in the 'Anne Of Green Gables' book this is a foursome that have the wherewithal to flabbergast. '100 ... ...at least a dozen compilation tape favourites. It was released 2 years ago in April 2000 and with the release of their 3rd long player ('The Remote Part') it is a joy to recall its grandness. One of the album's singles 'Little Discourage' opens the noise fest with a crafty confidence. While it had minimal impact sales wise its classy internal streamlined guitar displays highlight a maturity that was often lacking in their gorgeously ebullient debut ...
indiecater 07.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 100 Broken Windows - Idlewild
Advantages: An excellent new direction from the first album Disadvantages: Might have lost some fans of that first album
...band Idlewild. Released in 2000, 100 Broken Windows is by far my favourite album the band have released to date. It was recorded during a time when they still weren't sure which direction to follow. Having returned home to Edinburgh to record their second studio album they opted to take a slightly mellower direction than the first album. Gone was the distortion and heavy guitar riffs to be replaced with a slightly slower and more considered approach. ... ...all of the subsequent albums and the one that really made the band. While the debut album Hope Is Important had a more punk rock feel to it, this album seemed to really highlight what Idlewild could really do best. There are some very well considered and well presented guitar riffs on this album that give it a far mellower and more relaxing sound. Instead of following the same path as the debut album the change seems to have given the band a way ...
Andy.mack 23.01.2003 (24.01.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 100 Broken Windows - Idlewild
Advantages: No bad songs Disadvantages: er a better inlay is all i can think of, perhaps a bit longer
Idlewilds first couple of albums were excleent becasue of they energy and the power of the songs, they were perhaps a bit raw and some of the lyrics were a bit ropey but this is definetly a much more polished album and is their best work to date. However they have managed to maintain the enrgy that made them so exciting in the first place but made them a band that you really had to see live to get, and they are the best live band around at the moment. ... ...sound much better to record.
The start of the album is very hard hitting fast paced punk rock, but with tunes. "Discourage" is amazing and the pace is kept up and there are no bad tracks on the whole album and there could have been any number of singles off it. it covers a number of topics as well, living in remote places "I dont have the map" and even Getrude Stein "Roseability".
The end of the album shows another side to the band only really ...
Lazy_shadow 03.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 100 Broken Windows - Idlewild
Advantages: good music Disadvantages: mediocre lyrics
...the charts. Likewise their albums. 100 Broken Windows is their third album, second long player. The singles they have released include Actually its Darkness, These Wooden Ideas and most recently Rosability. Idlewild’s singles are good, but I think that it is the collection of the singles that makes the album, not the singles on their own. The album’s singles are mainly started off with a few single plucks of the main guitar, then followed in with ... ...and energetic. The album is not ridden with angst like Muse for example, mainly because the lyrics are not too great. The album is really one of good music, rather than inspiring lyrics. Idea Track doesn’t really have any comprehensible lyrics, and it is clear that this was literally an idea track, with those lyrics plastered around some great music. Saying that, Idea Track is one of my favourite tracks on the album along with the more thoughtful ...
danradders 02.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 100 Broken Windows - Idlewild
100 Broken windows sounds like the old Idlewild only better, mow they can play and sing as well as write amazing songs. These wooden ideas is probably the best track but the rest is not too far behind. if you liked the first album I think that you will love this one. I’ve heard most of the album live as well on a Steve Lamaque session, it was amazing, if you get the opportunity to see them live then I really do think you go, they also have really ...
paintpastelprincess 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 100 Broken Windows - Idlewild
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Quality and consistency...
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Reviews which might be of interest for "100 Broken Windows - Idlewild"
Advantages: truly beautiful and unique Disadvantages: none whatsoever!
Within the last 2 years i have discovered one of the most influencial bands. Their music takes a hold of you and embraces with its originality and depth. I am of course talking about Idlewild! The remote part is their new album following on from 100Brokenwindows. If you have ever listened to 100brokenwindows and appreciated it by listening to it repeatedly then you may have had the same apprehensions as myself as to what The remote part may sound like and whether it could possibly live up to their previous album which was truly stunning!
I was not disapointed and have to bow down to these guys, topping brokenwindows must have seemed impossible and in the words of my boyfriend "was an album that was just made at the right time in the right place and has a special feel that was captured"
What i love about their music is ...
Advantages: Passionate, noisy, anthemic. Especially 'When I argue I see shapes', 'Everyone say's your so fragile' and 'I'm a message' Disadvantages: The few more reflective moments, while still good, don't satisfy quite as much as the standout heavier songs. More progress was made on this front in their next album '100 broken windows' (also reviewed by me)
After financing their first single ?Queen of troubled teens? with imaginative use of student loans, Idlewild went on to become Edinburgh?s brightest young musical hopes. ?Hope is Important?, their second album, successfully developed upon their first (?Captain?) in that it kept the fiery passion that impressed critics such as Steve Lamacq while also constructing more complex levels out of the ?wall of sound? they had previously been known for.
The rhythm section of Bob Fairfoull (Bass) and Colin Newton (Drums) drives the faster songs forward relentlessly, while Rod Jones (Guitar) and Roddy Woomble (Vocals) complement each other with their impressive and impassioned riffs and phrasing.
If you?ve been introduced to Idlewild through ?100brokenwindows? (which I?ve also reviewed) then you can expect something a little different from ...
Advantages: A return to the earlier sound Disadvantages: sometimes feels a little forced
I'll start off by saying how Idlewild are one of my favourite bands ever, behind only Joy Division and perhaps Ikara Colt. So if this seems perhaps a little biased, that's probably why.
This is the 5th studio album from Idlewild (6th including the 'Captain' 6 track EP). As a follow up to 'Warnings/Promises', many fans viewed it as very much a make or break point in their career, W/P having been not too well received by a large portion of the fanbase due to a mellowing of the sound, becoming more melodic and slow paced, and less 'punk-y'. I personally was a fan of W/P, though it doesn't stand up as well as the earlier efforts, particlarly 'The Remote Part' and '100BrokenWindows'.
As soon as you put the CD on, the change from 'Warnings/Promises' couldn't be much more obvious without requiring them to go all death metal on us. 'In ...
Product Information for "100 Broken Windows - Idlewild" »
Product details
Title
100 Broken Windows
Performer
Idlewild
Genre
Rock & Pop
Release Date
10/04/2000
Original Release Year
2001
Label / Distributor
Food / EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
724352543922
Catalogue Number
FOODCD 32
Additional notes
Album Notes
This is an Enhanced audio CD, which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Idlewild: Roddy Woomble (vocals); Rod Jones (guitar); Bob Fairfoull (bass); Colin Newton (drums). Engineers include: Dave Eringa. Recorded at Air Studios, London & Jacob's Studio, Surrey, England; Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales; Electrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois. The notable release from the successful indie group; includes "Little Discourage" and "Idea Track." 2001, U.K. import.
Album Reviews
Spin (12/00, p.220) - 9 out of 10 - "...They make like angry gods on some bizarro-world TRL where Big Black and Echo and the Bunnymen are after-school manna..." Entertainment Weekly (3/23/01, p.115) - "...Flashes of beauty and menace, often in one song..." - Rating: A Magnet (12-1/02, p.56) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001". Magnet (6-7/01, p.95) - "...A stone classic..." CMJ (3/5/01, p.6) - "...Much of WINDOWS recalls early R.E.M., but the Scots' bratty upbringing rears its head enough to evoke early Jawbreaker as well..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Little Discourage
2.
I Don't Have The Map
3.
These Wooden Ideas
4.
Roseability
5.
Idea Track
6.
Let Me Sleep (Next To The Mirror)
7.
Listen To What You've Got
8.
Actually It's Darkness
9.
Rusty
10.
Mistake Pageant
11.
Quite Crown
12.
Bronze Medal
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