Remote Part, The [ECD] - Idlewild > Reviews > Scottish Fiction

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Much more polished and good quality tracks, still with some explosive moments
Disadvantages:	Threatens to lose its way near the end

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Scottish bands at the moment are, in my opinion at least among the best out there on the scene. Some of the lesser known bands up north such as Mogwai, the Delgadoes and Biffy Clyro are top. Idlewild are one perhaps better known having made the charts and touring with Coldplay this last year they are reached they best effort yet.

Idlewild are a band that have changed a considerable amount since their first beginnings. The Remote Part is in fact their forth album, and since recording this have changed again with members departing and new replacements. Their sound has notably changed, in early recordings they made as much noise as possible, whereas now with a little more experience and older have refined their style to make them one of the best rock bands to break into the mainstream in the last few years.

The album previously made by Idlewild, titled 100 Broken Windows moved then up into a broader view with many people enjoying the sound. This album follows up the progress made with eleven consistently good tracks including several notable singles as stand out tracks and a fantastic finish. Idlewild, for those that have not heard of them are a Scottish four piece indie/rock outfit. This album sees them develop further away from punk rock beginnings to a more tuneful and controlling rock sound that has a far greater depth and quality now added to the songs. The music is very radio and listener friendly with well constructed and yet simple songs with a good mix of guitars and drums on the louder numbers to strings and acoustic moments on others. Lead singer Roddy Womble carries the band with a distinctive tone to his voice, while the lyrics also remain simple but touching.

1. You Held the World in Your Arms
Taken as a deserving single off the album, the first track manages to really hit you, as an opener should. The fast and loud approach is well taken, but also has a lot more behind it as well. It is simple and catchy with a steady formula but does give a good sign as a taste for the album. The more advanced side to this album is shown with new strings added to the track, and is not just random noise.

2. A Modern Way of Letting Go
The second track remains similar to the first with an up and at them approach of catchy and loud music. Slightly more aggressive tone to this one, not dissimilar to any of their previous stuff, but remains better quality. In short it is a roaring rock song with loud guitar riffs and solid drumming that drives it.

3. American English
After the first two songs hit you, the album takes a significant turn with a much more acoustic and melody in this cracking track. More strings and good production put the edge of quality on it, but it does not need it much as the song is good enough by itself. The lyrics are much more sound on this than previously, while Roddy Womble’s voice takes a distinctive sound that marks out the rest of the album. Also released as a single as were the other two previous songs, American English is a superb song that shows the changes that have been made.

4. I Never Wanted
The next song picks up the tempo from the previous one, with a louder number with a lot more bass. Again great lyrics on the song, simple yet more than your average track. This does manage to keep up the quality and consistency of the tracks all through the album, but solid more than spectacular.

5. (I Am) What I Am
Another upbeat and more punk number that also hints at previous songs they have done. Races through the song at a good pace to keep up the adrenaline, it has a very good chorus to it after a lot of build up. Thrown in the middle of the album it does a good job of keeping the whole lot up.

6. Live in a Hiding Place
Like American English, Live in a Hiding Place goes down a more acoustic route with great results. A really top quality song, like some of the other songs it takes the lyrical content to a new level. The content seems self explanatory by the title lacking confidence and can touch you with this. It does come into life with a rockier chorus, but has a great tune to it.

7. Out of Routine
More distinctive vocals from Roddy, and more heavy on the bass than other tracks. It can feel a bit moody, but like several other tracks it is nice and simply constructed with repeating layers that build up to a decent chorus. It does not have the stand out quality of some of the first tracks, but does not let down and has the marks of quality again.

8. Century after Century
Like Out of Routine does not have anything to stun you with, but still fine as a album track. It has a nice loud build up to it, and retains the melodies without losing control. Does not captivate, still it is easy to listen to.

9. Tell Me Ten Words
Another good quality track with a mellow acoustic intro and body and comes out in the end to a louder finale. The acoustic and electric guitars are well mixed, and this results in a careful balance. There is no desire to ruin the good track with a mess of loud guitars as perhaps sometimes happened. It is a good song, again album material despite all this.

10. Stay the Same
More aggressive and louder than the two previous numbers, with the electric guitars taking over again. Has another cracking chorus to it, something done well across the album as a whole. It is also a growing track that sounds better with listening, so something to discover overall.

11. The Remote Part/Scottish Fiction
Perhaps the album loses its way a little towards the end, but this final track puts the overall quality over beyond doubt. It contains a special poetry recital over music especially written by Edwin Morgan called Scottish Fiction that adds more touch to the beauty of the final track. It ends with an acoustic and gentle note with pianos and strings that does put an end stamp on the album. It is a moving track, well worth staying until the end to see and hear.

Fans of the Scottish rockers last album 100 Broken Windows will probably be able to find as much to like under this album as the last, but also is probably the best for any new people to start looking at this great band. It is much more polished and varied to give a better listening sound. They deserve the success now with the critics reviews favouring this album and chart success coming their way. It is a special album that people can take a lot out of and well worth investigating.