Hope Is Important

Idlewild

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Odeon Records
• ASIN: B000028TWM
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,520 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Though heavy, distorted guitars have fallen out of favor with the mainstream crowd, the Indie Rock Nation (a benevolent army of bands bent on making vital, original music) hasn't lost the love for a good loud guitar. Idlewild don't exactly bludgeon their way through Hope Is Important--there are plenty of dynamics--but the 12 songs are, in fact, filled with powerful, surging guitars that sit quite comfortably alongside some nice, understated vocal hooks. There is a youthful exuberance and freshness to this record that would definitely make it a favorite among the emocore crowd. Idlewild have the musical bluster of Sunny Day Real Estate (without the prog-rock puzzlings), the angsty musical tension of the Treepeople, and the pop-punk appeal of Jawbreaker. A smart, punchy record that flies the indie-rock flag proudly, distorted guitars and all. --Adem Tepedelen

Product Description
Japanese edition of the British alternative act's 1998 albumwith 'Chandelier' & 'I Want To Be A Writer' added as unmarked bonus tracks. 14 tunes in all, also including the singles 'A Film For The Future', 'Everyone Says You're So Fragile' & 'I'm A Message'. A Parlophone/ Food/ EMI release. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the foundation of something great, May 29, 2004

By	amanda (new york, ny) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This band ROCKS. No, honestly, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neo-punk-pop-rock-punk-loud-quiet-weird-something!!!!!, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

'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.