Idlewild, 'The Remote Part'

“Constantly searching to find something new” sings Roddy Woomble on ‘American English’ from ‘The Remote Part’ and it’s an encouraging sign. Idlewild’s early work, though brave, loud and, at times, downright outrageous, was probably never going to break them out from the indie pack. You know, the band that has a diehard group of supporters who firmly believe that the act is speaking directly to them and God forbid if anyone else should ever find out. The joy in this record is that Idlewild’s first fans should be able to share them with any newcomers.

Let’s return to the beginning (of this review, at least) by confidently stating that ‘The Remote Part’ is the most accessible album Idlewild will ever make. Woomble’s “search” might just have resulted in his finding his voice. Opening track (and lead single) ‘You Held The World In Your Arms’ is an unapologetically blatant anthem that demands your instant attention. You feel it’s the moment Idlewild have been waiting for their entire lives. And, boy, does it sound good.

Anthemic is as good a place as any to nail down how satisfying this record actually is. ‘(I Am) What I Am Not’ is as defiantly clench your fists and punch them through the roof as ‘Live In A Hiding Place’ brings you literally down to earth again. ‘Century After Century’ and ‘Stay The Same’ resemble outtakes from R.E.M’s ‘Document’ and doesn’t suffer from the comparison. Yet it’s ‘American English’ that lasts longest with you. It’s full of hope, ambition and the prospect that the future is theirs to write. In fact, you can’t analyse its impact any better than Woomble himself: the track, like ‘The Remote Part’ in general “requires you to stop and look up”. To the heavens, quite clearly, in admiration.