Scottish bliss
Ethan Straffin | Palo Alto, CA USA | 03/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, so Idlewild does have a tendency to sound like a punkier version of _Document_-era R.E.M. -- especially on this album. There must be room in your heart for that, right?
Its sequel, _The Remote Part_, is a bit more ostentatious in terms of its production values, but I'd have to say that this one has it beat in terms of melody and passion.
The first two-thirds of _100 Broken Windows_ represents one of the best eight-song winning streaks I've ever heard: just when you think they can't possibly come up with another scorching guitar hook or sing-along lyric, WHAM. In particular, "Little Discourage" takes the nuclear approach to album-opening, followed a bit later by the spectacular triple punch of "Roseability," "Idea Track," and "Let Me Sleep (Next to the Mirror)." Things do fall off a bit after that, but by then, I'm willing to bet that you'll be prepared to forgive."