Customer Reviews

Hope Is Important

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

before idlewild had mastered the art of the indie rock song, they were essentially a punk band. Hope is Important is their transitional album in many ways; the songs range from the absolutely beautiful acoustic "I'm Happy to be Here Tonight" to snot-nosed punk thrashings such as "4 People do Good." there are also many fine songs too edgy to be called pop, particularly the ever-intense "Film for the Future," whose guitar riffs are amongst the best the band has to offer.
fans not familiar with idlewild's older work might be taken aback by the style of this record; most noteably, singer roddy woomble's vocal tactics are very different from those he adapted in on later albums. however, if you are a fan of idlewild it is quite necessary that you own this album. and if you are a fan music that does justice to the punk genre, you must, in fact, own this album.

Looking for the best in power-pop and thrashy rock? Look no further than Hope Is Important, the first full-length LP from Scottish pseudo-punkers Idlewild. Although musically more diverse than first EP Captain, the band have retained the winning formula. Opening track You've Lost Your Way cleans out the ears for the melodic stomper that is A Film For The Future, the album version of When I Argue I See Shapes is excellent and the addition of the other excellent singles Everyone Says You're So Fragile and UK Top 50 single I'm A Message adds to an excellent album. The top non-single tracks have to be I'm Happy To Be Here Tonight (a real breather) and Paint Nothing. I can only look forward to their second album, which on the evidence of this and previous single Little Discourage, will be well worth waiting for.

'Hope is Important' is idlewild's amazing and original breakthrough album, following the less successful but equally outstanding 'Captain' EP. Bridging the gap between punk and great rock songwriting, the album fills all the criteria used to define a modern classic. From the heavy metal of 'You've Lost Your Way' through to the screaming Cobain-esque vocals of 'Low Light', Idlewild redifine modern punk rock. From the originality of 'When I Argue I See Shapes' to the explosive 'Paint Nothing' and from the subdued yet spectacular 'Safe and Sound' to the shouted chorus of 'You Don't Have the Heart', Roddy and the gang prove that it is possible to make punk music with great tunes.

I had 100 broken windows when it came out and i still think its one of my most important albums (out of 550+), so i don't know why it took me so long to get their first full length album.

Many reviewers used the words pop and mainstream to describe this album and admitdly there are a few soft songs but otherwise this is a raw emo-punk album. The opening track is a short 1min hard punk belter. The other tracks have the hard/ melodic feel to them, reminiscent of At the Drive-In. The best song has to be 'I see shapes'.

To be honest on my first listen this album was hard to comprehend, but give it time (about 4 listens), and then critically analyse it and i'm sure fans of the latter album would love it. I'm off to get their Captain E.P.

Idlewild's 2nd LP (their first being Captain) is a blend of punk rock musings and pop-rock stylings. The first song, "You've Lost Your Way" kicks off with massive feedback before turning into a blast of punk energy. However, for every out and out punk song on the album there is a finely crafted pop tune lurking a couple of tracks away. One needs only to listen to "When I Argue I See Shapes" to hear the genius in Idlewild. They don't follow the typical verse/chorus format in most of the songs on this CD, instead just naturally moving from one progression to the other. Don't be confused however, this is NOT a Prog-Rock album. Each song has a distinctive beginning, middle and end.

The finest pure-pop moment comes in the shape of "I'm a Message" with it's synthesizers and incessant riffage, plus a beat that manages to work itself into your subconcious. Other standout tracks include the punk-rock anthem "Everyone Says Your So Fragile" and the quiet, introspect "I'm Happy to be Here Tonight." Do not overlook "Paint Nothing" and "Film for the Future" either, as both have outstanding hooks. This CD varies from song to song, but the quality is high throughout. Definitely a worthy purchase, but for those of you who enjoy "100 Broken Windows," give this a trial run first. This album is definitely the framework for the aforementioned CD, but it has its own stylistic quirks and charms (not to mention a smaller budget) that make it a rather different listening experience. This CD would get five stars if it had a couple of tighter rock songs in the place of a couple of the random instrumentals they've thrown in. Definitely a worthy purchase!

IdleWild are a unique band, there sound is completely new within the mainstream music World. There are hints of Nervana in some of the tracks on this album, but most are like nothing you have ever heard before. This album was the must buy punk album of '98 and if you don't yet have a copy buy now. This is one of those albums you will want to listen too over and over, but you won't be sure why. It does have it's bad points, and there are some disappointing tracks, but that is what the `skip' button on your C.D. player is for. When you hear the sounds of `When I argue I see shapes' and `I am a message' you'll know that this album was well worth buying.

I won this CD from a radio station, and I had never heard of this band, but I'm really glad I did, because they're very unique and talented. The album reminds me of a super-punked up version of R.E.M.'s Murmur, with elements of Nirvana and Pavement thrown in as well. I would strongly recommend it.

Idlewild's new record 'The Remote Part' is very pleasant, and a very accomplished record. However, if you seek to discover why Idlewild were once called a punk band, or how they have a reputation for rollicking live shows, check out their first full-length LP, Hope Is Important.

Opener 'You've Lost Your Way' is the punkiest on the album; it actually sounds a lot like the Sex Pistols and it a short, sharp, visceral blast. Meanwhile, however, the anthems 'When I Argue I See Shapes', 'Paint Nothing' and 'Everyone Says That You're So Fragile' show that Idlewild can write catchy punk-pop choruses to match anyone else out there; moving along at breakneck speed and sounding as cool as anything.

Meanwhile, the heavy-rock (but not punk) direction taken on 100 Broken Windows is hinted at on 'A Film For The Future', while one beautiful indie-pop ballad, the lovely 'I'm Happy To Be Here Tonight', is the only direct link to the softest sections of the new record. 'I'm A Message' and 'Low Light', however, both show the heartbreaking beauty that is evident on Remote Part, while still rocking thoroughly.

Overall, this is a brilliant, carefree, totally cool punk debut and while Remote Part may be more mature and accomplished, and 100 Broken Windows may be their greatest, most ambitious work, all 3 are necessary to really get every side of Idlewild into the picture. 4 stars.

This album is as superb as their others. They not only write amazing songs on their own, the albums never get dull. I've had this album years and i still don't skip tracks. That's not something I can say about many albums i have.

iDLEWiLD are a fantastic band with some great songs, and this album is no exception. When I argue I see shapes, I am a message and Fragile are my personal faves. Buy this album, you won't be dissapointed. Also, 100 Broken windows is brilliant. Buy that too.