Idlewild - 'El Capitan' (Parlophone)
4/5
By: Kevin Molloy
We only really have two things to mention here: (1) 'El Capitan's single remix made us check the packaging to see if it might not have been a mislabelled REM single. (2) This doesn't matter... not one jot. If it had been an REM single, it would have been their best one in a good many years.
So we lied, we do have more to say. And refreshingly it's all positive stuff for the lately rather beleaguered Scots. The re-recorded single version pummels the string-laden original into top shape; their mastery of dynamics and rhythm has never been clearer. But just in case we felt a little too roughly shaken, the lush and pining album version is retained as B-side. Lyrically too, Idlewild have seemingly returned to a former (melancholy) hey-day. As Roddy croons, 'at least I'm in good company - because there's no-one else around"', you can't help but smile knowingly. A little like Morrissey, Idlewild's misery feels like an old friend that you'd somehow lost touch with. El Capitan is that chance and joyous re-meeting in the stationery department of a foreign supermarket, where you vehemently promise to keep in better touch this time. Beg they write again soon.
Artists in this article: Idlewild
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