Idlewild - A Distant History: Rarities 1997 To 2007

Parlophone

Complimenting ‘Scottish Fiction’, their recently released best-of, is ‘A Distant History’ an alluring rattle-bag of Idlewild B-sides, covers and hitherto hard to obtain releases. The ramshackle urgency of songs such as ‘Chandelier’ and ‘Self Healer’ depict a youthful Idlewild, one caught in the throes of a tempestuous love for American alt.rock. The glossiest cherry to be plucked from these initial offerings is debut single, ‘Queen Of The Troubled Teens’. Originally limited to 1000 copies, its screeching, distorted beauty is here afforded the wider audience it deserves. Of the covers, a strident rendition of Gang Of Four’s ‘I Found That Essence Rare’ steals centre-stage. Elsewhere a snottily abrasive live version of ‘You Don’t Have The Heart’ and the intoxicating lilt of an acoustic ‘El Capitan’ merit mention. Completists will revel in this collection, but even for the part-time Idlewild fan there is much to delight.

Words_Francis Jones

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DOWNLOAD: ‘Queen Of The Troubled Teens’, ‘El Capitan’ (Acoustic)
FOR FANS OF: The Replacements, Neil Young

Issue #51 - I Told You This Would Be A Good Issue

Featuring Biffy Clyro, Of Montreal, Duke Special, Frightened Rabbit, Cold War Kids, Jay Reatard, Pat Mills, and more.