Idlewild: Hope Is Important
In May 1998, I went to my first ever gig: Ash live at Middlesborough Town Hall. When I arrived, the support band were halfway through their set, and there were numerous people crowsurfing and jumping around to the sound of a hyperactive Scotsman and his three bandmates belting out a frantic and yet tuneful punky style of rock. They had released one mini-album called Captain, and a new single called I’m a message, which they were playing as I walked in. I was hooked.
It was that short, radio-friendly tune which persuaded me to buy the album. Hope is Important turned out to be even better than I expected. Not quite in the realm of punk or that of M.O.R.-style indie, this record is a brilliant mixture of the likes of the Sex Pistols, REM and Sonic Youth, with Roddy Woomble’s vocals going from Michael Stipe-esque tenderness to all-out Johnny Rotten-style screaming. That is the best thing about the album: there are ballsy, energetic tunes (such as the opening track and 4 people do good) but also more thoughtful, slow songs, such as the acoustic-driven I’m happy to be here tonight and the gentle Safe and Sound. This breaks the record up a bit, and prevents it becoming tedious listening. However, the distorted noise-fest of the closing track, Low Light, makes the whole affair close on a high (and very loud) note. An album that gave them their rightful place among the best UK bands.
In Summary
A melodic, rough-around the-edges punk/Britrock record, perfect for rockers who have mellower moments.
Tracklisting
- You’ve Lost Your Way
- A Film for the Future
- Paint Nothing
- When I Argue I see Shapes
- 4 People Do Good
- I’m Happy to Be Here Tonight
- Everyone Says You’re so Fragile
- I’m a Message
- You Don’t Have the Heart
- Close the Door
- Safe and Sound
- Low Light
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