Idlewild
Make Another World

"We are always capable of making rock" 

This seems to be what the five from Edinburgh are trying to say on their fifth studio work (not counting the '98 Captain EP). It's no coincidence that the first single released is indeed the most aggressive and fast-paced track: If It Takes You Home speaks clearly and hits you in the face with guitars and drums that you forgot could be done like this. "Make Another World" arrives two years after "Warnings/Promises" and following Roddy Woomble's first solo work. In fact, last year, the singer, accompanied by guitarist Rod Jones, signed with Pure Records for "My Secret Is My Silence," a collection of twelve warm and engaging Scottish folk ballads, a beautiful work that also saw the participation of Kate Rusby, Woomble's wife (Ailidh Lennon), and John McCusker in production. It may be due to this little personal satisfaction, or the label change (after five years, the divorce from Parlophone/EMI in favor of Sequel) that the album's sound returns to the area of "100 Broken Windows," retracing their rockier roots, while also taking a break in REM phase (Future Works, Once In Your Life), or presenting tracks almost fit for the dancefloor (No Emotion), which presents an almost perfect pop melody and will be chosen as the second single. Ten songs shining with tight and brilliant guitar-rock where Woomble's sinuous and warm voice softens the edge and gives that good and light alcoholic flavor that has always lingered in their records. If in 2002 with "The Remote Part," Idlewild declared their REM-attitude (while not forgetting their pleasant Pixies influences), crafting a beautiful rock album with touching ballads (American English, Live in a Hiding Place), and in 2005 with "Warnings/Promises" presented a sufficiently convincing work but little more, their fifth chapter gives oxygen and legs to a group not too well-known but highly important for the current indie rock scene.

A great album then, always filled with high-emotional-content moments, moving between Feeder and Snow Patrol and sure to please those fans left disappointed in recent times.