Idlewild - 100 Broken Windows (Capitol, 2000)

Idlewild
100 Broken Windows
Capitol
2000

Rating: 7.5 new panes of glass out of 10

It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while I will hear a band that has me grasping at straws when it comes to describing how they sound. Idlewild is one of those bands. I know that I like it, but I would be hard pressed to tell you exactly why, or what it sounds like, or who to compare it to. These lads come from Scotland, and given the amount of great music that comes from such a small land – Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, Ganger, Aereogramme, Snow Patrol, Arab Strap, Boards of Canada, Reindeer Section, Teenage Fanclub, etc – you expect good things. And while there may be some similarities among those other bands listed, Idlewild manages to sound nothing like any of them. Their sond has been described as pop-punk, without sounding like either pop or punk. This adjective is probably the best one to describe them with though – many of their songs contain the type of pop hooks that get in your head for days, and they have moments of rocking out that would surely make your ears ring if you saw them live.

There are many highlights on this album, including "Idea Track", "Actually It’s Darkness", and "Quiet Crown," but this is one of those albums that you usually listen to from start to finish because it has no weak spots. If there is a weakness, it’s the production value. On first listen, it seemed a little over produced, but with each successive listen I've gotten somewhat used to it.

Looking back at this review, it has come to my attention that I have put together quite possibly one of the vaguest record reviews ever(do I get a prize for this?). So to further clarify my overall sentiment, which is "this is a good album," take heed of the following as well: the music magazine Magnet had nothing but good words for this release. Pitchfork stated that the album was some odd mix of REM and Superchunk, which they meant as a good thing (although I’m not sure what they’re talking about really). And if those indie stalwarts don’t convince you, even Rolling Stone, when not espousing the virtues of every teen pop and rap metal act out there, gave this album a good review.