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@ amidemon: just so you know, the album is from '82, not '77... anyway, yes, it's horror punk, not melodic hc.

So, dear hypnosphere boy (is that spelled correctly?), I don't know what leads you to believe that I am "giuovine," but I assure you... at least not too much. It seems to me that you’re quite knowledgeable about good old Robin and his projects... well done. You don’t need a license to be that, right? Ok, I feel more relaxed now. Just for the record, I've seen them twice, always with my partner... Far be it from me to advise on the best moments to listen to their music! My comments were merely simple exaggerations to highlight a "before and after" in Sophia's musical journey... the first two albums have a sadness, a bitterness that has, to some extent, lessened since "people...". There has been a sort of pacification, also linked to some more pop openings; you would agree when you rightly point out that our beloved now "aspires to legitimate success." Songs like "i left you," "fool," "big city rot" do maintain that depressed mood of the earlier albums, but tracks like "there are no goodbyes," "signs," "where are you now," etc., are delightfully indie-pop. And here I confirm that a band like Coldplay (given the necessary stylistic distances) would pay to write songs with those melodic "hooks," with those emotional crescendos so impetuous, with that melodic circularity that borders on perfection. I agree with you about the transition in the review where women are a cause of joy and pain; I could have avoided that. I realized it too late. However, the review doesn't seem bad to me, come on... if you keep giving me 2 every time you comment, I’ll hit the all-time low! Peace...

@ purpulan: I don’t know if you’ll read this comment (the album is two years old) but I completely agree with you! Dismissing "So Divided" as crap, garbage, and other similar epithets seems quite reductive to me. It’s definitely not the best in their discography, but even two years later, I still enjoy revisiting it from time to time. "sunken dreams" is an amazing track.

"Source Tags & Codes" is a great album, always in agreement with the good vortex. "So Divided" I would say is a failure, it's a failed album, not stylistically far from "Worlds Apart," but definitely weaker than the latter. As for the latest release: good album, with some exciting moments ("Isis unveiled," "bells of creation," "Far Pavillions"). If only there were more bands like this... the live DVD is awesome. Good review, anyway.

heartfelt congratulations for the review... I couldn't have done better myself. To be honest, I thought a lot about whether or not to write one for the latest of my beloved Welshmen, but I would be too biased. Anyway, it’s clear (and you can feel it) that you know something about the Manics too; you perfectly captured the spirit and sensitivity of Bradfield and the gang. I agree when you say that conceptually this is their last album, marking a metaphorical closing of accounts with the past. I’m glad they closed it this way, with a tense and vibrant album, fierce and moving. Again, congratulations!

Hi Fede, I'm the reviewer... I messed up with the stars, the right rating is 5! Forgive me, it was my first review... "fixed waters" is unfortunately untraceable... I don't own it either, I had it recorded on cassette. Anyway, try on Amazon, maybe you can find it there.

approximate reception and with a trivial sarcasm...failed. Idlewild similar to the Stone Roses? Come on......

Congratulations on the review... Idlewild are one of those overlooked and unjustly underrated bands that I adore. I've always followed them; in my opinion, they reached their peak with "The Remote Part," an absolute masterpiece that is a must-have if you want to know British rock. With this album, it's clear that they intend to return to their roots, with sounds reminiscent of "100 Broken Windows" and "Hope is Important"... However, it lacks that urgency and those imperfections that made the aforementioned albums compelling works. Over the years, Idlewild have learned to play (and that's not a fault), and consequently, they've smoothed out the rough edges, removing some of the grit from their sound. "Make Another World" is well played, has great tracks, but those rough edges are missing... After all, you can't be twenty forever. Good work anyway, even if it feels transitional... My esteem for them remains unchanged... they're still in my top 10. Let's wait for the next album.

X mopaga: in my opinion, "send...", aside from the suspicion of proselytism (I agree with your analysis), is simply a slight misstep... there are some excellent tracks (the second great depression, indian summer among them) and a few that are a bit weak (winterlovers, imperial bodybags)... on the single "you're love alone...", there are two incredible unreleased tracks: "welcome to the dead zone" and "love letter to the future." They just needed to include these to make the album more successful... I don’t understand why they left them out. Anyway, it was a time of little clarity, with scant creative drive, as shown by the previous "lifeblood" (forgettable, except for two or three beautiful pieces) and by Bradfield's solo debut. For this reason, the latest work has a strong meaning: they have found motivation again, emerging from a period of obscurity with a great album... how many bands with a twenty-year career like theirs can we say do the same?

Damn, the Ratt!!!! The little mice were my childhood heroes! I still remember with my hair guitar in my room, imitating the moves of Demartini and the gang. Anyway, this album rocks, just like all the others! Along with Mötley Crüe, they were the best in the genre. "Round and Round" still gives me chills. It’s recent news that the new album will soon be released by Roadrunner. Ratt’n’roll!