Customer Reviews

100 Broken Windows

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The year's best release may very well have alighted on our shores by way of Edinburgh, Scotland, home to the punk-pop alchemists otherwise known as Idlewild. In "100 Broken Windows," lead vocalist Roddy Woomble and his band mates charge through an unmistakably indie music terrain with passion and brilliance to spare.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a review of "100 Broken Windows" that does not invoke Nirvana and/or REM. While the comparisons are eminently valid, Idlewild also harks back to the likes of Husker Du (one of Kurt Cobain's faves), with heart-on-the-sleeve anthems surging forward on the strength of fuzzy power chords, irresistible hooks and deft lyricism.

There is not a weak track in the lineup, from emotional buzz saws like "I Don't Have the Map" and "Actually It's Darkness" to more quietly introspective tracks like "Bronze Medal" and "Let Me Sleep (next to the mirror)." Even when Woomble invokes the spirit of Gertrude Stein ("Roseability") or possibly contemplates the insidious subversion of art by commercial formula ("These Wooden Ideas") the music's subtle rewards -- intelligent wordplay, get-up-and-dance melodies -- annihilate any risk of pretension.

Clocking in at just 38 minutes, "100 Broken Windows" is an exhilarating sprint to near musical perfection. By the time it takes you to the emotional finish line, you'll be winded, hunched over -- and wanting another listen.

I find it hard to review this album simply because it is tough to categorize, but i wouldn't voice my opinion if i didn't love it or hate it, and i definitely love it. this cd seems split between a softer(pop) and harder(punk) side - both being present in almost all of the songs. Regardless of style, the melodies, however, are what make this album a winner . i can understand the REM comparisons and i feel a little bit of a Smiths/Gene vibe("Let me sleep")that is altogether welcome and refreshing. Yet there is a very strong "american" feel to this album as well, making it a refreshing break from earlier U.K. releases such as Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay, and Doves (all of which are very good). It must be the way that they shift between restrained emotional(but never sappy) introspection and heavy unrestrained screaming hooks(that almost reminds me of At the Drive In) that make this album special. This is the kind of music i wish would get radio play instead of all that Limp Biskit "kiddie metal" and Vertical Horizon "cheese rock" drowning the airwaves. Buy it for the undiluted melody that jumps out of every song, there's not a disappointing track on the whole album.

Here's a... CD well worth your while. Idlewild's comprised of four Scottish guys who've apparently decided to vent their anger through some pretty loud (and melodious) guitar playing and lyrics that dare you to figure out what on God's green earth they mean. No matter, the album doesn't miss a note. From the opening scorcher of "Little Discourage," the band has perfected the soft verse/angry-yet-tuneful chorus that seemed to disappear with the rest of guitar-driven rock in the mid-to-late nineties. It's refreshing to hear it again. But don't mistake Idlewild for Bush or any other British Nirvana clone. This is passionate rock with real anger and hardness behind it. Even when Idlewild slows down, as on "Let Me Sleep," the songs are sincere without going into that wuss-power-ballad area.

But it's the rockers you'll stick around for. The standouts are "Discourage," "These Wooden Ideas," "Actually it's Darkness," and my personal favorite "Idea Track." But really, none of the songs miss. It's great to hear some straight ahead rock coming from across the pond. If only American bands would get back on it...

I've been a fan of Idlewild since their first EP, Captain, and the growth and maturity shown in their later releases has been astounding. Now with 100 Broken Windows, Idlewild have outdone themsevles. While I personally don't see the Blur influence, the REM comparison is warranted. The lead singer of Idlewild (Roddy) sounds quite like Michael Stipe. The first track, "Little Discourage" has an incessant riff and a wall-of-sound powerhouse chorus. My favorite tracks include the first one, "These Wooden Ideas" and "Mistake Pageant", the latter being the best pure-pop song on the CD. The album's highlight is "Roseability", combining their poppier side with the rough edges that they're famous for. Idlewild deserve success stateside as this album is perfect for hard-rocking middle America. It's got loud guitars and a rocking atmosphere, definitely a CD worth purchasing.

100 Broken Windows is quite possibly the best release of 2000/2001. It's nearly impossible to pick out a favorite track, as this album is, top-to-bottom, full of perfect sorta-punky-but-melodic power-pop anthems. Just when you think you've finally reached a song without a hook, watch out because here it comes.

Like a young and driven Guided by Voices (minus the drugs and undercutting silliness) crossed with Manic Street Preachers (minus the pretension and politics), Idlewild have arrived. From the opening riff of "A Little Discourage" to the sparkle-fury of "Wooden Ideas" to the beautiful dynamics of the wonderfully-titled "Actually It's Darkness", Idlewild takes you on a joyride. Another standout, "Mistake Pageant", is the best song Robert Pollard never wrote.

Coming in at a tight 38 minutes, 100 Broken Windows doesn't overstay its welcome, but with songs like these i'm not sure it could anyway. And be sure to crank it up; the album tends to lose its energy at low volumes. Finally to be released in the US in March, and it's about time.

I was amazed when I heard this album. It is absolutely brilliant punk/indie/alternative. The sound is on the brink of emo, but never quite falls into that horrible abyss. I was first struck by the youthful energy in the album, but then the complementary level of maturity became present. The guys in the band are only in their mid-twenties. Wearing REM and Nirvana on their sleeves, the four boys of Idlewild weld together an alternative/pop sensability with the punk aesthetic, emotion, and wit. Highlighted by the mind-grabbing opener "Little Discourage," the heart-tugging "These Wooden Ideas" and the anthemic "Idea Track," the album maintains an extremely high level of consistency, intelligence, and credibility. This album is such a leap from "Hope Is Important," the next album is sure to be a majestic flight into emotional ecstacy. The future of rock and roll looks good with Idlewild leading the way.

I don't write alot of reviews and I don't give out 5 stars easily but this cd is easily a 5. Each song is unique in itself yet they all jell together. Each song is one you will be hearing in your head for days and be glad you do. There are no duds or fillers in this album. The more you listen to this album the better it gets. That this band isn't huge in the U.S. is a shame because so many miss out on such wonderful music. Don't be one of those that miss out. Buy it now.

2 months ago I read a number of rave reviews of this CD on this exact webpage, now today I am writing as the first reviewer. What happened to all the other reviews? These reviews all said this CD was a masteriece and compared Idlewild to R.E.M, Pavement, and a bunch of other bands I love. They were right in a number of respects, although I feel that Idlewild is greater than the sum of their influences. As for R.E.M., sometimes when listening to 100BWs I think of Life's Rich Pageant ('These Wooden Ideas') or Murmur ('Idea Track'), but most often I'm taken back to Chronic Town ('Meet Me at the Harbor' reminds me of 'Carnival of Sorts'). However, if your favorite R.E.M. songs are 'Stand' or 'Losing My Religion' or 'Everybody Hurts' you may be disappointed - 100BWs recalls the hidden gems from R.E.M. of yesteryear, not the stuff you typically hear on the radio. If you like Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted or the harder stuff from their other CDs, you'll like this CD (for example, songs like 'Listen to What You've Got', 'Actually Its Darkness', and 'Rusty'). Also, there are elements of The Smiths here ('Let Me Sleep (Next to the Mirror)', 'Mistake Pageant', 'There's Glory in Your Story'). But like I said, Idlewild is greater than the sum of their influences, and songs like 'Little Discourage', 'I Don't Have the Map', and 'Roseability' are really great, multi-layered-original-well-produced, and fun as hell to listen to going 80mph on the New Jersey Turnpike.

I got a hold of this album after hearing it a record store and thinking it was some kind of Michael Stipe side-project. (Yes, they're correct, he really sounds like R.E.M.'s frontman) After getting home and popping it in, I was more than pleasantly suprised at what a good upbeat "indie" rock band Idlewild is. The first 3 songs had me really digging their sound, until I got to the 4th one, "Idea Track." After listening to this song the first time, I simply pushed repeat and listened 4 more times. The price of the CD is worth this song alone. (And I'm one who hates it when people say crap like that) The rest of the album had me convinced that I had stumbled on something extra special. If I had to compare them to anybody, it would be a slightly more mature and less poppy Jimmy Eat World. 4.5 stars, give it a listen.

I'm the kind of person who will usually buy an album and listen to it for two weeks and move on to something new. I bought this album over a month ago and it's practically all I listen to (along with other Idlewild albums).

The clips do the album plenty of justice, but a lot of the other tracks you don't hear are excellent in their own way. One thing I like about this album is the variety of the songs. This band doesn't really have a "gimmick" or a "sound", thier songs really don't display a lot of simliarity... except for the fact that they're all awesome.

I can't really compare this group to any other (that I know of) except for maybe Ash. It definately has that UK feel to the music (also a good sign) but most of this album is heavily rock oriented. In other words it's not a lot of Brit Pop. A few of my favorites are "Idea Track", "These Wooden Ideas", and "Actually It's Darkness".

Anyway, if you like the clips you'll definately like the rest of the album.