Idlewild

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Everything but the Girl have always taken a languid approach to their music, but they were at their most sublime on Idlewild. Produced by the duo's own Ben Watt, the music is stripped down to the bare minimum--a rhythm, a melody, and Tracy Thorn's divine voice--yet somehow they make it feel lush. Some of EBTG's most affecting songs are on Idlewild: Thorn's adolescent reminiscence in "Oxford Street"; "The Night I Heard Caruso Sing," Watt's ode to father and (someday) son in which he explains that the great tenor is "almost as good as Presley"; the tale of friendship in "Blue Moon Rose"; and "Apron Strings," a song of love and loss. EBTG are just as touching on Amplified Heart and Acoustic, but Idlewild is a classic in its own right. --Randy Silver --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The Else
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Everyone's entitled to their opinion
  • I'm Impressed
  • Sadly, the worst TMBG has done.
  • Please enter a title for your review
  • It's good, buy it.
The Else
They Might Be Giants
Manufacturer: Idlewild/Zoe Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000QTCY5O
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

  1. I'm Impressed
  2. Take Out the Trash
  3. Upside Down Frown
  4. Climbing the Walls
  5. Careful What You Pack
  6. The Cap'M
  7. With the Dark
  8. The Shadow Government
  9. Bee of the Bird of the Month
  10. Withered Hope
  11. Countrecoup
  12. Feign Amnesia
  13. The Mesopotamians

Amazon.com

Twenty years after their debut album introduced a well-read duo with a peculiar wit and a gift for contagious melodies, They Might Be Giants--a.k.a. John Linnell and John Flansburgh--still come across as exhilarating and spanking fresh as the theme song to Comedy Central's Daily Show. (Oh yeah, that's them, too.) Fresh off the Giants' second children's record (2005's Here Come the ABCs), the New York twosome began a production alliance with L.A.'s Dust Brothers that resulted in The Else, another collection that ranks with any in their memorable discography. From the fast-tempo opener "I'm Impressed" through the '60s pop edge of "The Mesopotamians," endearing hooks reel you in just far enough for the humorous, often oddball lyrics to bury you. But several times the implications in the lyrics are all too real, such as the love undertones of "Contrecoup" and "Take Out the Trash," an uncannily catchy dump-your-boyfriend song that suggests "Once you get him out, tell him not to come back again." Contradictions like these never bother to disrupt the sequencing, but rather drive home what we already know about They Might Be Giants: they already are. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Everyone's entitled to their opinion .......2007-07-25

But I have to disagree with the reviewer who labelled this "the worst kind of synth-pop." Yes, there are a few songs that use the dreaded drum machine, but at least half of the songs (or more) use good old-fashioned live drums and rockin' guitars. I absolutely love "the Cap'm", even with its silly (but witty) lyrics, the tune for this song is just great. Like many TMBG releases, not every song is a keeper, but I'd have to say this is their best hit-to-miss ratio in quite a while (I was not particularly a fan of Mink Car or the Spine). And as many reviewers have also noted, the extensive bonus disc of podcast songs (included in the first edition of this album) more than makes up for it if you are not totally into the actual CD. I think TMBG has many many good years left in them and even if they never again match the brilliance of "Flood" (I consider Birdhouse one of the most immaculate songs ever written), I am glad to support a band which does not dumb down their songs, which is not afraid to try new things, and which has never "sold out" just to have a "radio hit". Plus, if you ever have a chance, they are outstanding live musicians and their shows are usually hilarious and infectious. TMBG forever!

5 out of 5 stars I'm Impressed.......2007-07-24

Great toe tappin' fun. I never understood why people can be so harsh on TMBG. They're goofy. Keep that in mind, and it's all good.

This is the first album since Apollo 18 that I've taken to instantly on the first listening.

Plus, there are some very good songs on the bonus podcast CD...the best being Brain Problem Situation.

1 out of 5 stars Sadly, the worst TMBG has done........2007-07-20

I eagerly awaited the newest TMBG album, and it seemed to be a sign of good omen that it was released in my birthday. However, after listening to the album, I can safely say that I've never heard a *worse* TMBG release.

From start to finish it is the worst kind of synth-pop; if you ever wanted your They Might Be Giants to be more hip-hop and less... oh, interesting, then this is your Great Big Chance.

It's one of the few albums I've purchased that actively *angered* me. I felt my blood pressure rising after each track, offended that this was the band that brought me the sublime "She's an Angel", the stellar "Subliminal", and the super "Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love." Okay, that's enough alliteration for one review.

What happened? What happened with this one, TMBG? Again, I stress; if you are big into hip-hop/drum n' bass, you might like this. If you enjoy Flood, State Songs (side-project, but still worthy of the catalog), John Henry, or heck, even Mink Car, give this one a pass. I even cancelled my tickets to see The Else tour in Cleveland this album was so bad!

In fairness, there are a couple of songs that are passable;
Bee of the Bird of the Moth and Contrcoup are listenable, and The Mesopotamians retains a spark of previous TMBG cleverness.

Sorry to rain on the parade, but it's back to the uneven Spine, which looks like Lincoln compared to the miserable The Else.

2 out of 5 stars Please enter a title for your review.......2007-07-20

After 2004's dismal The Spine TMBG are back to add insult to injury with this logical extension of that impression of a high school garage band discovering modern electronics. The drum parts are relentlessly rudimentary miring these songs in a mid-tempo plod that is the antithesis of the playful peppyness these guys made a name for themselves with in the 80s and 90s. The Else is pretty indisputably the band's least melodic album, as well as the worst produced, every instrument compressed into a muffled mid-range "i just got protools and i don't know wtf i'm doing" drone. Possibly Stephen Hawking could shed some light on how the band that wrote Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head, Birdhouse In Your Soul and Dr Worm could take any pride in a single song on this record.

5 out of 5 stars It's good, buy it........2007-07-18

I just got it and only listened to it once, but it's filled with TMBG's goodness.

With a bonus CD of songs, you can't go wrong. One reviewer complained that there were only 12 songs that he/she really liked. I wish I could make that complaint about every CD I bought!

Idlewild
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good songs, but where's the soundtrack?
  • Outkast takes a risk - and wins!
  • Im Giving 1 star for the reviews below...
  • Dissapointing But Still Solid (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars)
  • Great CD!
Idlewild
OutKast
Manufacturer: La Face
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BRLRUO
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Tracks:

  1. Intro
  2. Mighty 'O'
  3. Peaches
  4. Idlewild Blue
  5. Infatuation (Interlude)
  6. N2U
  7. Morris Brown
  8. Chronomentrophobia
  9. The Train
  10. Life Is Like A Musical
  11. No Bootleg DVDs
  12. Hollywood Divorce
  13. Zora (Interlude)
  14. Call The Law
  15. Bamboo & Cross (Interlude)
  16. BuggFace
  17. Makes No Sense At All
  18. In Your Dreams
  19. PJ & Rooster
  20. Mutron Angel
  21. Greatest Show On Earth
  22. You're Beautiful
  23. When I Look In Your Eyes
  24. Dyin' To Live
  25. A Bad Note

Amazon.com

Despite its title title, this is not a soundtrack for the Idlewild movie--almost no songs appear in the film. Instead, the tunes seem inspired by Idlewild's narrative themes. Outkast extends the eccentric streak that began on Stankonia and continued through The Love Below/Speakerboxxx. Fans of that last album may enjoy Idlewild's continued eclecticism, especially from Andre 3000, who seems to be moving further away from "rap" every moment toward some bizarre love child of Prince and Melvin Van Peebles. A song like "Mighty O," which actually features both Outkast members rhyming, is a refreshing throwback to the duo's earlier days, but Idlewild is mostly divided between songs from Andre and Big Boi, with few points of intersection. By far the strangest Outkast album they've ever released--and this is saying a lot--Idlewild is a heady, dizzying trip. Awkwardly disjointed at times, it undeniably certifies the group as one of the most adventurous that hip-hop has ever seen. It's not easy to love but it's hard not to respect. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good songs, but where's the soundtrack?.......2007-07-01

The movie of "Idlewild" itself had over 25 songs in it. So I didn't expect the soundtrack to have all the songs from the movie. But the weird thing is that there are actually 25 tracks on the CD, but only 7 of the songs are from the film! The soundtrack is still well worth the purchase. Listed below are the consistencies and the missing songs from the film.

The only tracks that are included on the CD
which are also in the movie are:

1. Morris Brown (Big Boi, with Sleepy Brown & Scar)
2. Chronomentrophobia (Outkast)
3. Makes No Sense (Outkast)
4. PJ & Rooster (Outkast)
5. Mutron Angel (Whild Peach)
6. Greatest Show on Earth (Macy Gray and Outkast)
7. When I Look in Your Eyes (Outkast)

The following songs are from the film, but are not included on this soundtrack and are available on other albums (as indicated).

Bessie Smith: The Essential

1. Do Your Duty

Cab Calloway The Early Years: 1930-34 [BOX SET]

1. The Nightmare
2. Moonglow
3. Kickin' the Gong Around

Outkast: Big Boi and Dre Present...

1. Movin' Cool (The After Party)

Outkast: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

1. Bowtie
2. Church
3. She Lives in My Lap
4. Vibrate
5. Take Off Your Cool
6. The Rooster

Songs from the film that are unavailable:
1. Happy Days Are Here Again (Leo Reisman & His Orchestra)
2. Baptized (Angelic Voices)
3. Holy Holy (Angelic Voices)
4. Slum Swing (The Decon Band)
5. Drunken Rooster (Paul Rabjohns & Larry Lunetta)
6. The Bridge (Paul Rabjohns & Larry Lunetta)
7. On the Way to Heaven (André 3000)



5 out of 5 stars Outkast takes a risk - and wins!.......2007-04-09

Okay... so the critics don't like it. Big deal! Outkast did an amazing job blending different musical styles and they've created a fun musical that is great when I'm driving and wonderful for swing, too!

While I'm at it, the movie is also 5 stars and worth every minute. Andre3k actually stretches by portraying an uptight shy man, not his usual persona. Both the CD and the movie are a fun romp!

1 out of 5 stars Im Giving 1 star for the reviews below..........2007-03-04

Because they're too damn long! I mean who has time to read all that, let alone write all that. People can we keep the reviews down to like 1 or 2 short paragraphs please?!

3 out of 5 stars Dissapointing But Still Solid (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars).......2007-03-04

Outkast is probably one of my most influentual groups to come out of the hometown of ATL. That being said, this album was a slight dissapointment from all other Outkast albums that I've heard. Being based off the movie "Idlewild" I figured this would be a nice album in connection to the movie it was based on. Like a lot of people noticed, this album is like "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below". In fact it's a little too much like it (I'm suprised it wasn't a double disc as well). With Andre 3000 doing more singing, he sounds a little off with his vocals. I understand that he was experimenting with his singing vocals on "The Love Below", but I just wasn't feeling it on "Idlewild". Newer fans od Outkast (post "Stankonia") will like it, but those who have been down since "Southernplaya..." will be scratching their head. Nown old fans feel relieved when they hear Andre spit some rhymes, like on "Hollywood Divorce" and "Mighty O", two of the best songs on this album. Personally this is the Andre I wanted to hear. If I wanted to hear him sing, I would have stuck with their double disc.

As for Big Boi, he does a good job pulling his weight on his solo tracks. Another favorite song on here was "The Train", that was done by him solo. His style really hasn't changed much since the last album, which is actually good for me. He can still pull some dope rhymes. Some of his solo songs I wasn't feeling as well, like "Morris Brown".

Overall this is a solid album to me. Not as good as other Outkast albums, but it's still good. I just don't like the fact that there are a bunch of Big Boi and Andre solo songs with some of the songs they are on together (about three total), and then called an Outkast CD. As I said before, most of their previous albums they were rhyming toghether and very little singing (i.e. "Funky Ride" & "Liberation"). Also I found there were very limited guests from the Dungeon Family (except for Sleep Brown, Killer Mike, Khujo from Good Mob), as well as others like Macy Gray. I still love Outkast as one of my favorite groups, and how much sucessful they have became, especially with a good movie along with this. But if I had to choose their worst album, it would be this one. But thats not saying much, because all their albums are worth hearing.

Lyrics: B-
Production: B
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: C+
Overall: B-

My Favorite Tracks: Mighty O, Peaches, N2U, The Train, Hollywood Divorce, PJ & Rooster, Buggface

Honorable Mention: Life Is Like A Musical

Favorite Outkast Albums From Best To Worst:
1. Southernplayaisticmuzik
2. Aquemini
3. ATLiens
4. Speakerboxx/The Love Below
5. Stankonia
6. Idlewild

Peace Everyone!!!

5 out of 5 stars Great CD!.......2007-02-22

OutKast is really great - I've gotta say this is my favorite CD.
Idlewild South
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • What a Great Album!
  • Classic Stuff
  • what a great, great album
  • ABB finds their voice
  • Play On, Brother!
Idlewild South
The Allman Brothers Band
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003CM9
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

  1. Revival
  2. Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
  3. Midnight Rider
  4. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
  5. Hoochie Coochie Man
  6. Please Call Home
  7. Leave My Blues At Home

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars What a Great Album!.......2007-06-25

I have to admit that my opinion here isn't too objective; mainly because I am an Allman Brothers fan from way back.
This was Duane's last album with the Allman Brothers before tragedy struck. Maybe for that reason alone, it deserves a place in any rocker's collection. Duane Allman's slide guitar reaches those high notes, and bro Gregg cooks too. I love those harmonizing guitars.
I cannot be even slightly critical of this album, because each and every song delivers the ultimate sound these guys were famous for.
Their version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" is a good example of how tight and together they played. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I still have the original vinyl album, and don't have the CD yet, but after reading the other reviews here, I know it's probably my next CD purchase for sure.
Some music, no matter how much time has passed, just sounds better.

5 out of 5 stars Classic Stuff.......2007-01-25

The Allman's second album and another strong one. More classic songs including "Revival", and "Midnight Rider". The album also contains one of the most popular all instrumental tracks of all time "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" where Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tear it up on dual lead guitar. The album also features a cover of "Hochie Coochie Man" which is ok, but I have heard better versions. This album is on a par with the first one if not slightly better. This would be the last album for Duane Allman who died of a motorcycle accident after this album was recorded.

5 out of 5 stars what a great, great album.......2006-10-30

What a masterpiece this is! If you enjoy a combination of rock, soul, blues, jazz then this will appeal to you.

Although this is a short album, the brief nature of it works well...it leaves you wanting more. The duel guitar playing was so tremendous that it made the solos sound like vocals rather than self indulgent notes.

It starts with "Revival" which is perfectly titled. The song starts out as a jazzy, instrumental but then turns into a wonderful call and response tune. It is very uplifting and one of my favorite Allman Brother songs.

"Don't keep me wondering" is a scorching rocker with great, greasy, slide guitar. Dune Allman employs a terrific fat tone.

"Midnight Rider" is a classic song that epitomizes the Southern Rock sound. Check out the interplay between the guitars of Dickie Betts and Duane Allman.

"In memory of Elizabeth Reed" is an instrumental. It is jazzy yet it also remains in a true song structurerather than an excuse to play a lot of notes. The Allman Brothers never noodle on the guitar. Every note counts

"Hoochie Coochie man" is another blazing rocker featuring Duane Allman's slide.

Besides the awesome guitar you also get Greg Allman's soulful, whiskey throated vocals and classic Hammond organ sounds.

The duel drumming rocks, Berry Oakely's bass playing is stellar and most of all, this was an incredible work for such a young band.

For anybody not familar with this band, this is an excellent starting point. I do not believe in compilations for this band b/c they were too good and have way too much depth. You cannot reduce a monumental band like this to a compilation. "Idlewild South" reflects a great period of this band when they were building maturity and confidence that would be more fully demonstrated on the next album, "Eat a Peach"

5 out of 5 stars ABB finds their voice.......2006-05-31

This is where the "classic Allmans sound" - blues mixed with rock, R&B, gospel, country, and bits of Latin and jazz - really started to take hold. In other words, it's their first mature work. And it's one of their best ever. This also began a longstanding Allmans tradition: including at least one lengthy, dramatic instrumental. The one in question is the jazzy In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, by far Dickey's best composition with the group. I know it's not the most original observation, but Duane lands one of the most intense guitar solos I've ever heard on this song, channeling John Coltrane. That part just explodes, serving as a nice contrast to Dickey's more tame (but still impressive) solo. Then there's Gregg's swirling organ parts, the brief drum solo, and theme. Dickey lifted this structure and applied it to Eat a Peach's Les Bres in A Minor (at least that song's second half) - Les Brers is quite good, but Liz Reed is far better. Anyway, Dickey's other song, the optimistic opener Revival, is another pick. The aforementioned gospel and folk influences really play a part in this song, which isn't blues at all. Always good to hear the group expanding. Another classic is Gregg's folky country-blues Midnight Rider. Again, listen for the slide solo, plus Gregg's rough lyrics about outlaw life.
The rest of the record shows the group falling back on the blues conventions on the first. But that's not an accusation - it's praise, since the blues is so good here. Nothing reaches the level of It's Not My Cross to Bear, but that doesn't matter - I'd rather hear the harmonica-and-slide Don't Keep Me Wondering or the wrenching, underrated sleeper Please Call Home than the debut's Black Hearted Woman, and I quite like Black Hearted Woman. And while the cover of Hoochie Coochie man doesn't top Muddy's original, what can? Good cover. My only quibble is Leave My Blues At Home. Not a bad song, good guitar weave during the fadeout in fact. But it's terribly average, and the only thing that keeps this from beating Eat a Peach as the Brothers' best studio album (Even then, it's their best "pure" studio album - Peach was, of course, half studio, half live).

5 out of 5 stars Play On, Brother!.......2006-02-22

The Allman Brothers Band's 1970 sophomore effort finds them altering and expanding upon the "space blues" leanings of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, highlighting songwriting and nuancing skills more than its predecessor but arguably coming up more of a mixed bag as a result. The mix is quite a good one, however, and testifies as much as any of the original ABB's efforts to the truly tragic nature of this group's premature demise.
"Revival" introduces guitarist Dickey Betts as a composer, and as its title suggests the song is basically a gospel hosannah done Brothers-style. While perhaps a less whelming opener than "Don't Want You No More," it shows the band moving into new territory, exploring the full range of its musical roots and - most important - showcasing the songwriting of its various members. "Don't Keep Me Wondering," a Gregg Allman tune, brings things back into the band's well-dug blues vein with a funky shuffle of instant appeal; it's small wonder this song became a regular concert workout for the ABB. "Midnight Rider" may well be the Brothers' greatest studio recording - an absolutely flawless three-minute study in mood, atmosphere and individual and collective musicianship, it's worthy of inclusion on THE SUN SESSIONS. Dickey's instrumental opus "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed," soon to be disemboweled to heart-stopping effect on AT FILLMORE EAST, closes side one of the original LP with an effective nod to the Brothers' jazzier capabilities and leaves no doubt that this is a unit with at least two full-fledged songsmiths in its fold. "Hoochie Coochie Man," the lone cover tune here, sets a mediocre vocal by bassist Berry Oakley over an earthquake performance by the band, with drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks particularly tasty. "Please Call Home" is a lovely ballad by Gregg, whose sung heartache plays beautifully against Brother Duane's loping, melancholy guitar. "Leave My Blues at Home" throws its hands up on all the pain, hope, fear and bragadoccio of the previous tracks to end the album on a gruffly, almost threateningly affirmative note. All this in just over thirty-two minutes!
IDLEWILD SOUTH is, at the very least, a minor masterpiece from an era when masterpieces were almost common; and while its achievements may have been quickly overshadowed by those of AT FILLMORE EAST and EAT A PEACH, its own strengths remain undeniable and its songs - several of them, at least - unforgettable.
Make Another World
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • I still can't deny
Make Another World
Idlewild
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000NJWJHA
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

  1. In Competition for the Worst Time
  2. Everything (As It Moves)
  3. No Emotion
  4. Make Another World
  5. If It Takes You Home
  6. Future Works
  7. You and I Are Both Away
  8. A Ghost In the Arcade
  9. Once In Your Life
  10. Finished It Remains

Amazon.com

For their fifth album, Idlewild's further refined their delivery, a brightly lit mix of emotive melody, distortion-filled guitars, and their calling card: Roddy Woomble's voice. He's been compared to Michael Stipe both tonally and lyrically, but Woomble leaps atop his lines. "In Competition for the Worst Time" coats his voice in a slightly warbling effect that he sharply cuts through, a dash of Stipe and a lot of energetic enunciation. The guitars on "Competition" and "Everything (As It Moves)" are twin throttles, chiming lead lines over rhythm-guitar scrambles of distortion and tunefulness, a truly collective effort. At its most poppy, during "No Emotion," Make Another World is a great case for pop-tilted post-punk, with Woomble intoning earnestly amidst that (again) chiming lead-guitar line and a bevy of harmony vocals. At its most aggressive, during "If It Takes You Home," the guitars sandblast the tune, asserting Idlewild's core function, as a band that's taken all cues, from Fugazi to R.E.M., and wrapped them into a distinct blend that merits fuller commercial appeal. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

2007 album from the Scottish rockers, their first release on the rejuvenated Sequel label. The album was recorded over a six week period in Edinburgh with longtime producer Dave Eringa. On Make Another World, the band return to a rockier sound reminiscent of their earlier releases. 10 tracks including the singles 'If It Takes You Home' and 'No Emotion'. Sequal.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars I still can't deny.......2007-04-05

Making guitar pop is easy. Making good, complex guitar pop that evolves over the course of five albums... now that's a challenge.

And "Make Another World" shows that Scottish rockers Idlewild are still up to that challenge, wound with tight melodies and spiked with steel-edged riffs. It's a nice mingling of their prior albums' styles, with most of the strong points and few of the flaws.

It opens with a ringing, cycling electric riff, joined in by some rapid-fire drums and more riffs and basslines. Roddy Woomble sings rather sadly through the fast-paced rocker: "I know my name but I can't deny/I talk in silence like I'm used to/Graduation fits the worst time I could use/Confidence for the first time!"

The album zooms through a series of uptempo guitar-based rockers -- tightly-wound electric-guitar pop, rapid skittering rockers, and smashing hard-rock that just creeps over the line of catchiness. But they have a few slower songs as well -- ballads played with electric guitar, some slow-burning rockers that build up on a bed of roiling riffs, and more.

"Make Another World" seems to be striking a balance between their last two albums, one of which was hard-driving rock, and one which was mellow and melodic. So Idlewild gets the best of both worlds, creating rapid rock tunes and sprinkling them with melodic moments and some midtempo pop. If there's anything to complain about, it's that "If I Take You Home" seems too simplistic for the rest of the album.

But most of the time, their instrumentation is astoundingly good -- lots of ringing riffs and steely basslines, which are melded together into flexible, muscular melodies. Even when they play softer pop tunes like the title track, the instrumentation is smooth and strong. And they throw in a few scraping chords here and there, smashing drums and a little ripple of keyboard organ here and there.

And Woomble's slightly rough voice fits the music quite well, especially since his vocals can rise above the loudest rocker. And the songs he sings are nicely polished as well, poignant and a bit poetic: "And I curse the sun/As the moon outdarkens the sky/Your heart is beating in your palm... And if my brothers, and my sisters
Are in the air where the moonlight twists/I'll board this ship/But only a ship that sails to no destination..."

Idlewild stick to their strengths in "Make Another World," fusing their solid hard-rock with the more melodic edge of their previous album. Definitely a worthy album for this Scotrock band, and definitely worth hearing more of.
Idlewild
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Something to Chill to
  • Idlewild - Everything But the Girl
  • One of EBTG's Best.....Excellent!!!
  • The best cd they ever made
  • Music for a girl to live her life to...
Idlewild
Everything But the Girl
Manufacturer: Sire / London/Rhino
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Language of Life
  2. Everything But the Girl
  3. Acoustic
  4. Love Not Money
  5. Worldwide

ASIN: B000002LE7
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. I Don't Want To Talk About It
  2. Love Is Here Where I Live
  3. These Early Days
  4. I Always Was Your Girl
  5. Oxford Street
  6. The Night I Heard Caruso Sing
  7. Goodbye Sunday
  8. Shadow On A Harvest Moon
  9. Blue Moon Rose
  10. Tears All Over Town
  11. Lonesome For A Place I Know
  12. Apron Strings

Amazon.com essential recording

Everything but the Girl have always taken a languid approach to their music, but they were at their most sublime on Idlewild. Produced by the duo's own Ben Watt, the music is stripped down to the bare minimum--a rhythm, a melody, and Tracy Thorn's divine voice--yet somehow they make it feel lush. Some of EBTG's most affecting songs are on Idlewild: Thorn's adolescent reminiscence in "Oxford Street"; "The Night I Heard Caruso Sing," Watt's ode to father and (someday) son in which he explains that the great tenor is "almost as good as Presley"; the tale of friendship in "Blue Moon Rose"; and "Apron Strings," a song of love and loss. EBTG are just as touching on Amplified Heart and Acoustic, but Idlewild is a classic in its own right. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Something to Chill to.......2007-02-25

I first heard about Everything But the Girl when Walking Wounded came out. That was during the time Drum N Bass was invading the States. I was impressed by not only Ben Watt's production at the time but the somber, angelic character of Tracey Thorne's vocals. When I heard this album, Idlewild, for the first time just recently, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a stretch from their drum n bass or house phase. Mad chill. This, I learned, was EBTG in its nacent stages. I mean...damn...look at the cover. The two look like they just came from a happy little date watching the Duran Duran or Scritti Polliti (remember them?). I was digging it though. I didn't even know Ben Watt can sing like that prior to hearing this. He's a smooth jazzy cat, and Tracey Thorne of course delivers. This album is something I wanna drop when just lounging at the crib yearning a Calgon moment or cooking a meal for someone. If you're in the mood for something like that, cop this album.

5 out of 5 stars Idlewild - Everything But the Girl.......2006-08-15

I first heard this album when I was 16 growing up in London. We played it non stop at work in "Top Man" It was my fist encounter with the band. Tracey Thorn delivers the vocals with such emotion. This album is like a Time Machine. Play it and you just start remembering........

5 out of 5 stars One of EBTG's Best.....Excellent!!!.......2006-01-26

What more can I say??? EBTG's Idlewild is another excellent albulm. The songs are very beautiful...every one of them. I am so glad that I discovered this group because their music takes me places that I love to be. Buy this music because if you don't you will be missing out on something special!!!

5 out of 5 stars The best cd they ever made.......2005-10-11

This is one of my top three cds, ever. And I own over 900.


I never tire of this music. It is the echo of my youth and the whisper of my future. "Then someone sat me down last night, and I heard Caruso sing" comes from one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written, in my humble opinion. And if you don't agree, that's fine because this disc will still be the one for which I reach on those evenings when I'm not sure what mood I'm in but I do know that I need soothed.

5 out of 5 stars Music for a girl to live her life to..........2002-02-23

As each of the girls in our family leave home, I give them three things to take with them: 1-A small compass, so they can always find their way home. 2-A copy of R. Munsch's "Paper Bag Princess", so that they understand the Ronalds they will meet on their way to happy-ever-after, and 3-This album, because of the song "Apron Strings". Together, it is a survival manual that every woman should have.I like to tell my family and friends that there are actually only two types of music...good and bad, and I prefer good. I don't like to try and categorize music, because frankly the good stuff transcends labels. How do you define Cowboy Junkies? Or Ella Fitzgerald? And, thank goodness, Everything But the Girl? The songs on this album are complex but effortless, and ultimately, classic. A must for any music lover.
100 Broken Windows
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Imminently Catchy
  • Are you serious? One doller twenty-five
  • hmmm....
  • Scottish bliss
  • AMAZING
100 Broken Windows
Idlewild
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Remote Part
  2. Warnings/Promises
  3. Hope Is Important
  4. Make Another World
  5. Warnings/Promises

ASIN: B00004R9EN
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

  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. Quiet Crown
  12. The Bronze Medal

Amazon.com

Edinburgh's noise merchants have stepped through the looking glass with this newest release. While harmony and traditional song structure used to play second fiddle to their anguished cries and hearty gusts of guitar squall, 100 Broken Windows displays a more mature quartet: still edgy but wonderfully tuneful. It's a formula that's less "Sex Pistols for students," as they've been previously described, and more "R.E.M. for street punks." That comparison seems inevitable, given lead vocalist Roddy Woomble's passionate delivery of cloudy-clever lyrics, but plenty of other influences come to mind throughout as well: exhilarating, throaty Nirvana-esque sing-a-longs ("Roseability," "Idea Track," "Actually It's Darkness") and emotive Fugazi-like stormers ("Listen to What You've Got," "Rusty"). But these 12 tracks are thoroughly the band's own and ultimately live well beyond any easy points of reference. --Bob Michaels

Album Description

Second major label full length from the Scottish punk rock revival act. Includes the singles 'Actually It's Darkness' & 'Little Discourage'. 12 tracks in all. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Second Major Label Full Length from this Scottish Punk Rock Revival Act.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Imminently Catchy.......2006-08-13

REM without the politics is the best way to describe 100 Broken Windows. But don't let that stop you from buying this disc, you would regret it. Admitedly the message can add power to a song but it can also be depressing to have to hear the message everytime. 100 Broken Windows is a fun listen that will let you escape.

The lyrics are obscure enough that you will enjoy the vocals as another instrument but understandable enough that you will be singing with the songs. 100 Broken Windows has at least a half dozen tunes that you will find yourself humming the next day. Multi-layered sound with outstanding songwriting. You will find yourself constantly changing your mind as to which is your favorite song but you won't be skipping any when you listen to the disc. Do yourself a favor and get this relatively undiscovered gem.

5 out of 5 stars Are you serious? One doller twenty-five.......2006-01-13

This is a really good album for that price. It's got some good rockin' Morrisseyed style to it, "Roseability" is a good example, if you don't like that song, then you're crazy. Just the chorus alone, "Gertrude Stein said that's enough! I know that that's not enough now"

This album was always one that puzzle me it could slip through the cracks so easily but it really does the trick, for a dollar twenty-five, why wonder about it, if you don't like it, then you only spent a dollar. I'll break it down though so you'll know what your getting. It's a bit Morrissey like, only more upbeat and kind of rockin' there's moments that outshine others sure, but it's still a crackin' album.

3 out of 5 stars hmmm...........2005-10-23

these guys really sound like REM on some of these songs. with a little bit of early Blur thrown in and some harder sounding guitar work. i had heard great things about this band and i got this album expecting to be blown away. but even though there are a few good songs on here, nothing really astounds me and i find myself being bored and even a little bit annoyed while listening to this. it just sounds kind of underdone. not bad, but... perhaps some of their later records are a bit better?

5 out of 5 stars Scottish bliss.......2005-03-14

Okay, so Idlewild does have a tendency to sound like a punkier version of _Document_-era R.E.M. -- especially on this album. There must be room in your heart for that, right?

Its sequel, _The Remote Part_, is a bit more ostentatious in terms of its production values, but I'd have to say that this one has it beat in terms of melody and passion.

The first two-thirds of _100 Broken Windows_ represents one of the best eight-song winning streaks I've ever heard: just when you think they can't possibly come up with another scorching guitar hook or sing-along lyric, WHAM. In particular, "Little Discourage" takes the nuclear approach to album-opening, followed a bit later by the spectacular triple punch of "Roseability," "Idea Track," and "Let Me Sleep (Next to the Mirror)." Things do fall off a bit after that, but by then, I'm willing to bet that you'll be prepared to forgive.

5 out of 5 stars AMAZING.......2004-11-25

This band is truly amazing. 100 Broken Windows is definitely one of the top ten records ever recorded, it is full of heartfelt songs that hit you hard while listening. My favorite track has to be "Little Discourage." The song is just incredible. If you're looking just to listen to a few songs to see whether you like them or not, listen to that song. But I'm sure that won't even matter, because every single song on this album is incredible. A must have for any indie-rock music fan.
The Remote Part
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • good album, but.....
  • Idlewild
  • I've heard it all before.
  • a titter of mirth at the constant REM analogies
  • Horrible
The Remote Part
Idlewild
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. 100 Broken Windows
  2. Warnings/Promises
  3. Hope Is Important
  4. Make Another World
  5. Warnings/Promises

ASIN: B00008NG92
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

  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

Amazon.com

Having spent the majority of their career languishing in alternative rock's second division despite churning out superior guitar pop, Idlewild present The Remote Part as their bid for wider acclaim. "You Held the World in Your Arms" displays the kind of grand gestures that have previously eluded the Scottish four-piece and the anthemic "American English" is bigger still. REM remain an obvious role model for Roddy Woomble and team, with songs like "(I Am) What I Am Not" and "Tell Me 10 Words" recalling Document's similar shift in gear. Alas, Woomble is sometimes a little too in thrall to Michael Stipe's obtuse wordplay. He hides behind lines like "Losing isn't learning to be lost, it's learning to know when you're lost" when he should, by his own admission, "Sing a song about himself, not some invisible woman." Minor gripes aside, The Remote Part buzzes with ambition, energy, and intelligence. --Ian Watson

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars good album, but............2007-01-20

Capital is a bunch of money grubbers who copy protect so that I can't play this on any of my computers or old CD player. I'm not even talking about ripping, just playing. I can only listen to it in my car, or buy a newer CD player just for these copy protected CDs... I'm frankly disgusted and will be avoiding purchases from the Capital label!

5 out of 5 stars Idlewild.......2005-10-02

Idlewild havn't released a bad album! They're all outstanding. Lets hope they keep it up.

1 out of 5 stars I've heard it all before........2005-09-30

Ugh! I'm listening to this album again haveing forgot about it since Christmas (it was a present). Ugh. This is easy listening and ear friendly, but whiny and repetitive. They mix it up, but all the songs have two things in common: 1. sounds like its been done before (greenday,rem,smashing pumpkins, etc...)and 2. its booooooorrrriiinnnnnnnggggg.

In a weird way, they sound way more American then would be expected. Upon listenining again, I find myself wondering why my friend's band dosn't have a deal yet, if this kind of drivvle is on Capitol.

Actually, if any members of Idlewild are reading this, sorry about the harsh, nonconstructive criticism. As a consumer, I don't have the time to listen to all the lyrics and really give this album a good listen. Maybe if there was a little more soul in the music I'd make the time.

5 out of 5 stars a titter of mirth at the constant REM analogies.......2005-04-18

It's quite interesting to see how reviews for british bands written by american critics and fans compare to, well, the british equivalent.

Being British myself, and having seen Idlewild play last night in Nottingham my review is totally biased as I'm still buzzing off of how amazing they are.

First of all my opinion of this album: Divine follow up to 100 Broken windows with Idlewild in more reflective and emotive mood. There is a definite depth to this album that exceeds previous works whilst maintaining the trademark riffing and power melodies. American English is a damp squib, in fact it's dire. This raises the point I'm making about the difference in opinion from either side of the pond. US opinion generally states that "American English" is a soaring rock classic (unsurprising from the largest concentration of Nickelback fans in the world). Britsh opinion is generally that it's generic and tiresome. That is the only criticism of the whole album I have as I love every single track other than "American English".

the REM analogies are frequent either side of the Atlantic but I don't really see the massive connection. To say that Roddy Woomble has looked to Michael Stipe for lyrical inspiration is basically laughable. From Early work like Captain, Hope Important and 100 Broken Windows through to this album and their new release "Warning/Promises" the lyrical ingenuity has always been clearly lauded towards contemporary and classical Scottish poets, although structurally I admit to some similarities to REM. the previous comments about this album trying to cram the whole of the Smashing Pumpkins back catalogue into one album is side splitting also, mainly because Idlewild are so much better, so much cleverer and frankly downright more interesting in every possible way to the criminally overrated and happily now defunct Smashing pumpkins.

don't get me wrong, I am under no illusion that Idlewild are the most original band ever to grace the earth but hats should not be tilted toward iconographic US bands like the aforementioned REM/Smashing pumpkins. I think a better breakdown would be to think of Idlewild as a blend of The Smiths and Mogwai. Idlewild carry a lack of sickly sweet sentiment in their songs even when writing about love and relationships and this album is no different and I personally feel enhances their reputation as one of the most important contemporary bands today - not just in the UK but on a global scale. I don't think they get the recognition they deserve and although "The Remote Part" offers more to a mainstream audience I still don't think they'll get the exposure to propel them to the heights they are capable of achieving. I don't mind that one bit as the last thing the world needs is another Stadium rock band.

buy their records and be totally immersed but don't try and pigeonhole them to other bands. for fans of anything from folk to Indie to Post Punk. you'd be doing yourselves a great injustice by avoiding this band.






1 out of 5 stars Horrible.......2005-04-10

This is a mixture of trying to incoporate the Smashing Pumpkins into one song, and a bunch of other bands in the others. Achieving a sound of being entirely uninspiring, predictable, boring to say the least, and lacking any kind of distinction. They have the talent to create something, but they're sort of just sitting around trying to sound like all their favourite influences. That's fine if you're sincere, but the question here is are they or as someone said, do they just want to be featured on the O.C's soundtrack.
Idlewild
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Dissapointing, But Still Solid (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars)
  • I Go Wild
  • The Outkast Vehicle Makes A Pit Stop {4 Stars}
  • Tight Outkast Release...BUT...
  • Mighty ighty ighty iiiiiiiii
Idlewild
OutKast
Manufacturer: La Face
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below
  2. Release Therapy
  3. Idlewild (Widescreen Edition)
  4. FutureSex/LoveSounds
  5. Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below

ASIN: B000BRLRUY
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Tracks:

  1. Intro
  2. Mighty 'O'
  3. Peaches
  4. Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)
  5. Infatuation (Interlude)
  6. N2U
  7. Morris Borwn
  8. Chronomentrophobia
  9. The Train
  10. Life Is Like A Musical
  11. No Bootleg DVDs (Interlude)
  12. Hollywood Divorce
  13. Zora (Interlude)
  14. Call The Law
  15. Bamboo & Cross (Interlude)
  16. Buggface
  17. Makes No Sense At All
  18. In Your Dreams
  19. PJ & Rooster
  20. Mutron Angel
  21. Greatest Show On Earth
  22. You're Beautiful (Interlude)
  23. When I Look In Your Eyes
  24. Dyin' To Live
  25. A Bad Note

Amazon.com

Despite its title title, this is not a soundtrack for the Idlewild movie--almost no songs appear in the film. Instead, the tunes seem inspired by Idlewild's narrative themes. Outkast extends the eccentric streak that began on Stankonia and continued through The Love Below/Speakerboxxx. Fans of that last album may enjoy Idlewild's continued eclecticism, especially from Andre 3000, who seems to be moving further away from "rap" every moment toward some bizarre love child of Prince and Melvin Van Peebles. A song like "Mighty O," which actually features both Outkast members rhyming, is a refreshing throwback to the duo's earlier days, but Idlewild is mostly divided between songs from Andre and Big Boi, with few points of intersection. By far the strangest Outkast album they've ever released--and this is saying a lot--Idlewild is a heady, dizzying trip. Awkwardly disjointed at times, it undeniably certifies the group as one of the most adventurous that hip-hop has ever seen. It's not easy to love but it's hard not to respect. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Dissapointing, But Still Solid (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars).......2007-03-04

Outkast is probably one of my most influentual groups to come out of the hometown of ATL. That being said, this album was a slight dissapointment from all other Outkast albums that I've heard. Being based off the movie "Idlewild" I figured this would be a nice album in connection to the movie it was based on. Like a lot of people noticed, this album is like "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below". In fact it's a little too much like it (I'm suprised it wasn't a double disc as well). With Andre 3000 doing more singing, he sounds a little off with his vocals. I understand that he was experimenting with his singing vocals on "The Love Below", but I just wasn't feeling it on "Idlewild". Newer fans od Outkast (post "Stankonia") will like it, but those who have been down since "Southernplaya..." will be scratching their head. Nown old fans feel relieved when they hear Andre spit some rhymes, like on "Hollywood Divorce" and "Mighty O", two of the best songs on this album. Personally this is the Andre I wanted to hear. If I wanted to hear him sing, I would have stuck with their double disc.

As for Big Boi, he does a good job pulling his weight on his solo tracks. Another favorite song on here was "The Train", that was done by him solo. His style really hasn't changed much since the last album, which is actually good for me. He can still pull some dope rhymes. Some of his solo songs I wasn't feeling as well, like "Morris Brown".

Overall this is a solid album to me. Not as good as other Outkast albums, but it's still good. I just don't like the fact that there are a bunch of Big Boi and Andre solo songs with some of the songs they are on together (about three total), and then called an Outkast CD. As I said before, most of their previous albums they were rhyming toghether and very little singing (i.e. "Funky Ride" & "Liberation"). Also I found there were very limited guests from the Dungeon Family (except for Sleep Brown, Killer Mike, Khujo from Good Mob), as well as others like Macy Gray. I still love Outkast as one of my favorite groups, and how much sucessful they have became, especially with a good movie along with this. But if I had to choose their worst album, it would be this one. But thats not saying much, because all their albums are worth hearing.

Lyrics: B-
Production: B
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: C+
Overall: B-

My Favorite Tracks: Mighty O, Peaches, N2U, The Train, Hollywood Divorce, PJ & Rooster, Buggface

Honorable Mention: Life Is Like A Musical

Favorite Outkast Albums From Best To Worst:
1. Southernplayaisticmuzik
2. Aquemini
3. ATLiens
4. Speakerboxx/The Love Below
5. Stankonia
6. Idlewild

Peace Everyone!!!

4 out of 5 stars I Go Wild.......2006-11-10

After seeing the movie, I knew I had to have the soundtrack, too. My favorite song is Zora's song, Call The Law. For any woman have trouble with a man, this may help you, too. ;)

4 out of 5 stars The Outkast Vehicle Makes A Pit Stop {4 Stars}.......2006-09-22

I was reading the Washington Post about two days before the release of this album and in the Style section I found a review of this album that seemed pretty fair. There was a paragraph in particular that pretty much summed up my sentiments. And it said:

"Tied to a film of the same name, the album is actually pretty good. But OutKast isn't supposed to do pretty good. It's supposed to do great, and anything that falls short is a failure" (you can pretty much google the piece I'm talking about).

While I wouldn't call it a failure, I simply couldn't put it any better. Outkast typically achieves greatness with every release. There are, in fact, some great tracks to be found. Like most, I couldn't stand "Morris Brown" when it first dropped, but now I can't get enough of it. "Hollywood Divorce" features excellent verses from Andre, Big Boi, and Lil' Wayne and, with it's great concept/topic, is one of the albums better tracks. A lot of the production is handled by Andre, Big Boi, N8 "Rocket" Wonder, Slim Jim & Mr. DJ, Kevin Kendrick, and Organized Noise. For the most part, the production is good.

What plagues the album are the number of stinkers. Just when I felt like I was with them and things were good, they'd lay an egg and prove that I didn't know what I was talking about. The best example of this would be the contrast between "Life Is Like A Musical" and "Chronomentrophobia". The former contains decent/tolerable singing and good production while the later contains a great rap verse and the beat is on point, but Dre ruins it with his off key singing. I understand though, like he said on the album, he's bored. However, I do feel like he will eventually hit his creative stride -- it just didn't happen on this particular album.

We've all become accustomed to Outkast hitting home runs with every release. After watching them do it time and time again, it's kind of awkward when they hit a triple. Despite a few misfires, there's plenty of great material to be found on the album. Idlewild is definitely worth a listen. I recommend checking this out.

Standout Tracks: Life Is Like A Musical, N2U feat. Khujo Goodie, Mighty O, Hollywood Divorce feat. Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg, Peaches, Morris Brown feat. Scar & Sleepy Brown, Buggface, The Train feat. Sleepy Brown & Scar, Call The Law, and Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)

4 out of 5 stars Tight Outkast Release...BUT..........2006-09-14

While I was feelin' yet another, southern fried, stankonified, organic, red planet release from the homeboys Dre and Big Boi...I was hopin' for alot more music from the film itself. The majority is full of new joints, while a good 5 or so are from the film. Tight release though.

4 out of 5 stars Mighty ighty ighty iiiiiiiii.......2006-08-23

....odie odie odie ooooo!!!!!! What can you really say about these guys. Their great!! They are the best rap group in the history of hip hop! In an era of complete unoriginality, Outkast continues to set apart themselves. This album is no exception. Keep in mind, IT IS A SOUNDTRACK, not a 7th Outkast album as some reviewers want you to believe. Even with that being said, this soundtrack possesses some of that old Outkast magic like "Mighty O", "Morris Brown", "Idlewind Blues" and the incredible "Hollywood Divorse" which features Snoop and Lil Wayne and yes, 3000 spits on this track as well. Very, very nice! I highly recommend all Outkast fans to go buy this soundtrack and even if you're not necessarily an Outkast fan per say, go cop it anyways. It's got something the previous 40 or so rap cd's released this year doesn't, originality.
Idlewild South
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Idlewild South
    The Allman Brothers Band
    Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity Koch
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Blues RockBlues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Southern RockSouthern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Slide GuitarSlide Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000R348BM
    Release Date: 2007-08-28

    Tracks:

    1. Revival
    2. Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
    3. Midnight Rider
    4. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
    5. Hoochie Coochie Man
    6. Please Call Home
    7. Leave My Blues at Home
    Warnings/Promises
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Fantastic Album.
    • Fine but nothing special
    • I hate not to be able to give 5 stars, but....
    • Fantastic pop rock ****
    • stupid copy protection
    Warnings/Promises
    Idlewild
    Manufacturer: Capitol
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    PunkPunk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Post GrungePost Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    BritainBritain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
    ScotlandScotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. The Remote Part
    2. 100 Broken Windows
    3. Make Another World
    4. Hope Is Important
    5. You Could Have It So Much Better

    ASIN: B000AU9UUQ
    Release Date: 2005-09-06

    Tracks:

    1. Love Steals Us From Loneliness
    2. Welcome Home
    3. I Want A Warning
    4. I Understand It
    5. As If I Hadn't Slept
    6. Too Long Awake
    7. Not Just Sometimes But Always
    8. The Space Between All Things
    9. El Capitan
    10. Blame It On Obvious Ways
    11. Disconnected
    12. Goodnight

    Amazon.com

    The fourth album from Idlewild, Warnings/Promises sees these Scottish rockers drifting further and further from their genesis as feedback-toying moshpit gremlins; mostly conceived on an acoustic guitar and fleshed out later in the studio, it perhaps makes sense that this is an album that's at its strongest when it catches its creators at their most reflective. Clear stand-outs come with the folksy "I Understand It" and the cello-and-xylophone-accompanied "Not Just Sometimes But Always", restrained moments where frontman Roddy Woomble's vocals--sounding more like R.E.M's Michael Stipe than ever--are granted enough room to spread their wings. However, some of the rockier moments misfire--see the blustering "Too Long Awake", which cuts off abruptly after a few minutes of fairly aimless guitar screech as if suddenly aware it's outstayed its welcome. All in all, there's a feeling here that this is a transitional album for Idlewild, one that catches them in the process of morphing into something else entirely. But who knows? Maybe their Automatic for the People lies just around the corner. --Louis Pattison

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Fantastic Album........2006-11-15

    This album is one of my favorite albums of all time and although it has a different sound than the other albums, it was a long time coming. cos Idlewild has been in transition from punk rock to more softer lyrical music for a while. Just look at their albums, every new one there is less punk/hardness. But I believe there new album (being released next year) might take a step backwards and again come with a more edgier sound. This is a great CD and I highly recommend it if you like any Idlewild. Oh and for Everyone who is giving this CD a bad rating just cos of the copyright protection is ridiculous, we dont want to know about your problems, this is a review of the album. Anyway I actually got the hard copy of this album off of amazon.com and it works fine in all my players.

    3 out of 5 stars Fine but nothing special.......2006-08-12

    Based only on the quick listen, Idlewild sound a lot less like R.E.M. to me and much more like the Gin Blossoms - you know, generically competent "alt rock." That's not to say that these songs aren't pleasant, as they are - and some are outstanding ("I Understand It" and "As If I Hadn't Slept"). But the majority seem more like paint-by-numbers "indie."

    5 out of 5 stars I hate not to be able to give 5 stars, but...........2006-08-05

    I did not have any issues playing this CD in any of my players, but I lended it to a friend to listen to and it would not play in his car. Thank god this wasn't the case with me.
    Anyway, Idlewild is my favorite band. I have seen them live many times; however, I would have to say that this is my least favorite album. There are some awesome tracks like "Welcome Home," "I Understand it, " and "El Capitan,"but I do feel like the lyrics are a bit lacking in this album compared to "100 Broken Windows" and "Remote Part." If you want to try out Idlewild, I suggest starting with "Remote Part." "Warnings/Promises" has a hidden track at the end which is a continuation/acoustic version of an earlier track and it's just great and shows the band's potential and softer side. Roddy Woomble, the singer, actually has a solo album out now that is considered "folk" and this softer side of Idlewild carries on in this album.

    4 out of 5 stars Fantastic pop rock ****.......2006-08-02

    Old fans hate this album. Because it's not noisy punk like Idelwild's first two albums. But guess what? Pop rock fans hate the punk albums so we'll split the difference. Me, I'm a pop fan. Always have been, always will be, died in the wool, true blue, through and through... Having said that "Warnings/Promises" and the previous "The Remote Part" are two of the best new albums I own. Both are constantly in the rotation. This one ("W/P") especially sheds the noisy beginnings and hones their inner REM to a pristine shine. This is their "Out of Time."

    While some of the songs do fall on the cheesy side ("Not Sometimes But Always" and "As If I hand't Slept") most hit the mark. "Welcome Home" and "I Understand It" are fantastic could-be singles. Elsewhere, "Space Between All Things" and "Blame It On Obvious Ways" bring in a much needed edge. My guess is by next album, they'll break in the States. This album apprently couldn't do it for them, after 3 videos and singles. Makes that Copy Protection all the more frustrating, doesn't it? We'll if I would've been able to listen to it on iPod, this would be a near perfect album for Idlewild.

    Overall: 8 out of 10.

    2 out of 5 stars stupid copy protection.......2006-06-26

    i also ordered this through bmg and could not get the darn disk to work on any of my stereos, i ended up throwing it out and downloading the songs from a site that they're probably trying to keep me from using in the first place.
    the songs are good, but not as good as "the remote part". if you don't have any of idlewild's disks get "the remote part", i wouldn't buy this disk at any price.
    f.y.i. dave atell's cd "shanks for the memories" also has copy protections on it so you can't download it the computor or ipod - avoid. there should be a site with a list of all cds with copy protections on them that don't allow you to download the songs to your computor/ipod, i would gladly never buy any cd with those protections.

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