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The comeback. Many a band has attempted it over the years. Some with success. Some with failure. It’s a risky jaunt to partake in when the mass of your fans will be with child or no longer the beer swigging indie kid you left behind. The music lovers so impassioned with your sound when you were around at the start now have jobs at banks and spend their weekends doing the gardening. They wear suits ‘n’ boots from M&S and have left the big-mess hair and baggy jeans behind.
And although Idlewild never really went away they’ve certainly been off this superfan’s radar for a year or so. Question is - will the kids still dig the old-wave-of-new-wave? Yes and no. When Idlewild were in their prime circa ’98 their music went against the grain. Dirty scuzzy-punked-up brit rock played by four Glaswegian scallywags. A long lean away from the tepid cut-copy Britpop that surfaced after the scene’s greats. Ace.
Sure Idlewild are still referenced as one of the bands of the nineties and, yep, there’s still an essence of that oh so unique sound in the new album - the ever-ready gritty melodies and, of course, Roddy Woomble’s distinct warble. But the youthful spunk that seemed so alive during their first two albums seems mellower – less urgent. Maybe that’s what happens with age.
However the Scottish rock renegades still know how to write an anthem or two. Second single ‘No Emotion’ is the Idlewild we know and love with a modern twist. Catchy in the pop sense yet still with those raw guitars - fans of old and new won’t fail to listen. ‘Once In Your Life’ is the softer side of the Wild. Slow and moody it’s an ode to loneliness with a sepia tint showing the warble-ier side to Woomble.
But the album isn’t a ten tracker of early Idle-brilliance. Yes – there’s a few tracks hinting at the past’s greatness but that’s it. Go dig out ‘Hope Is Important’ and be done with it. An hours worth of genius you can’t go wrong with.
