A Full Throttle Affair
Idlewild have managed to be one of those bands that tweak their sound so dramatically in every new release, but far from losing old fans, they reinvigorate them with a new, vital sound. So we come to 'Make Another World' the band's 5th full length album and one which promises, even in its title, to enter new terrain.
Opener 'In Competition For The Worst Time' kicks off with a brutally angular riff and Roddy Woomble's vocals are produced in a similar sharp way which makes his initial lines somehow reminiscent of Brian Molko. This tune could even be a slightly lazy Placebo number, such is its pace and slight lyrical darkness, "Glasgow lies bleeding in the afternoon", that is until it peters out into a bright rock chorus. Plenty of ferocious solo guitar work could indeed signal a return to the band's early punk form, with thrashing tracks like, 'It It Takes You Home', there's little time for Roddy Woomble to catch his breath in this short, sharp brash shot of indie rock.
While it's pleasant, title track 'Make Another World' fails impress with its rippling guitars and folk-style imparting of wisdom; it's a sweeping number that also recalls Snow Patrol's sound and one wonders if these newcomers haven't taken over Idlewild's epic, touching style and achieved more success with it.
Single, 'No Emotion' adds some also disco synth work in its chorus, a new touch for Idlewild that works well, the band would do well to develop this throughout more tracks as it adds a welcome electro urgency. Just as the depth of emotion in delicate slowburner, 'Future Works' begins to sway you towards thinking that the band are best sticking to the soft stuff, 'A Ghost In The Arcade' manages to combine jittering riffs, driving chords and soaring vocals to great effect - a rousing hit if ever there was one! 'Once In Your Life' also uses the harder guitar tone to great effect, reinforcing Woomble's meandering vocals instead of drowning them out in a frantic riot as earlier tracks, like in 'Everything (As It Moves)', a chaotic blaze of angry guitars.
This is a varied album, many tunes sound so similar and seem to lose the plot a little in favour of guitar beating that it's hard to call this a triumph, but there are some striking tracks that make this overall perhaps a better album that 'Warnings/Promises' and probably a more exciting one.