Its time to halt the political meandering on Cougar Microbes and get back to writing about the music I love.
During my first year in London for a while there was one track that followed me in every pub, bar and club. I didn’t know its name or who it was by but its familiar vocal refrain haunted me wherever I went.
At the same time the bassist in my band was waxing lyrical about a young Scottish band with an articulate frontman who he swore I would love. When he finally played me ‘100 Broken Windows‘ I connected the dots; The same band captured both our imaginations.
Idlewild‘s personal take on alt-rock resembled Nirvana making sweet love with Joy Division whilst Fugazi secretly filmed it (I’ve always wanted to do one of those). Their angular soundscapes served as a perfect canvas for singer Roddy Woomble to craft his ideas with the use of clever melodies and deliberate emphasis.
Over the years I have welcomed and enjoyed most of the Edinburgh quartet’s other releases but that initial impact is unrivalled. Do yourself a favour and track down a copy of ‘100 broken windows‘.
TRACKS:
Idlewild – Little Discourage
