I Understand It by Idlewild

February 25, 2005 | 8 Comments

The Artist: Idlewild
The Song: I Understand It
The Album: Warnings/Promises
Released 2005
Recommended if you like: Placebo, REM, Broken Social Scene, Snow Patrol, Built To Spill

One of the bands I most want to see this year at SXSW is Idlewild. I love ‘em. I have for a long time. And I’ve never seen ‘em.

Idlewild is one of those bands that really grows on you, or maybe you grow on them. The first time I heard them I liked them quite a bit, but quickly moved them to the back burner of my playlist. Then, as time passed and I’d hear them every so often on shuffle, I moved them back into regular rotation.

Then The Remote Part came out in 2003 and they got themselves a permanent place at the top of my list.

I really loved that album, and as I listened to it more and more, I began to like their older stuff more as well. I’ve been wanting to see them ever since. They seem like the kind of band that would be really great live.

They’re a classy rock band with a tight, sophisticated style. You could put them in that 30-something adult rock category (think REM) but they’re more timeless, and have more of an edge. They’re like Bush, or Placebo, but older, wiser, cooler, truer and smarter—but they’d still kick your ass if they were so inclined.

I’ve been able to listen to a few tracks of their new album Warnings/Promises and they’re really good. They’ve gotten a bit mellower and a bit more, well, organic. Some of the tracks remind me of a Scottish Drive By Truckers—which is not a bad thing by any means.

If you’ve not heard them before and are into really good, rock-steady, brit rock give them a listen, my guess is you’ll be glad you did.

Filed under: Song of The Week

Comments

1. Turnip said:

Idlewild are brilliant. A friend got me a box set of “Hope is Important” (their first album) and “100 Broken Windows” (their second album) for my birthday a few years back and she got me hooked. I wasn’t that keen at first, but they definitely do grow on you.

I’m going to see them in April and can’t wait : ).

Posted on February 25, 2005 05:44 PM | #

2. Colly said:

Keith, you continually impress with your taste. You are making all Brits proud lately. And yes, “100 Broken Windows” was indeed brilliant.

What’ll it be next week? My mates band who have only played the Dog And Fishtank? You’re a visionary, man.

Posted on February 25, 2005 08:06 PM | #

3. Chris McLeod said:

Great band. You’ll enjoy seeing them live - I’ve seen them 4 times in all and loved every moment.

They’ve come a long, long, way since the early ‘Captain’ E.P. - a lot more of their Scottish roots show through, making them less “generic” than their early stuff may have implied to some. ‘Remote Part’ was brilliant.

I’ve not had a chance to hear anything new, yet. From what I’ve read though, it’ll be a blinder!

Posted on February 26, 2005 09:17 AM | #

4. Joel said:

Jeezz this is some great stuff!

Great to play drums to and everything. I’m a fan of Placebo and REM, so i though i’d try some idlewild and boy did it hit the bullseye!

When I sober up I’ll apologize for this.

Cheers Joel (norwegian webstandards freak with low selfesteem)

Posted on February 26, 2005 04:59 PM | #

5. McChris said:

I went to see Idlewild at Bristol St Georges hall a few weeks back and i have to say it was absolutely bloody fantastic - a great acoustic set with some of their old & new stuff -

if you do get the opportunity to see them then grab it with both hands

McC

Posted on February 28, 2005 12:39 AM | #

6. Jeremy said:

Excellent choice, and definitely makes me wish I were going to SXSW this year…

I saw them on the Remote Part tour, and was floored by the performance, despite their being visibly exhausted, and despite the fact that Capitol, in their infinite wisdom, opted to schedule the record release in the US after the tour was well underway. 100 Broken Windows took almost a year to see release in the US, Remote Part went platinum in the UK and dropped off the chart before its release here, and word on the street is that it’ll be at least 6 months before this one will be released domestically.

Odds are that most that would be interested in this record will obtain it by some other means…which’ll eat into sales (though I suspect there’s a fair number of the obsessive collector types among their fan base, which’ll help a bit).

What the hell’s wrong with Capitol?

Posted on February 28, 2005 10:17 AM | #

7. Andrew Kaufmann said:

Idlewild is brilliant. I’m always glad to see them popping up all over the place. Their new album is amazing. Absolutely hooked on it. The Remote Part was one of the best albums of its year, as well. See you at SXSW!

Posted on February 28, 2005 12:45 PM | #

8. Brian Ross said:

Started listening to Idlewild last summer and they are a class act. 100 broken windows is awesome with the remote part joint if not second best.

Going to see them for the first time at the Edinburgh Usher Hall in May and can’t wait.

Favourite idlewild tracks amongst many others: remote part, when i argue i see shapes, actually its darkness, mistake pageant, american english, Paint Nothing.

Posted on March 4, 2005 06:52 AM | #