Track Listing

1. You Held The World In Your Arms
2. A Modern Way Of Letting Go
3. American English
4. I Never Wanted
5. (I Am) What I Am Not
6. Live In A Hiding Place
7. Out Of Routine
8. Century After Century
9. Tell Me Ten Words
10. Stay The Same
11. In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12482 in Music
• Released on: 2002-07-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Having spent the majority of their career languishing in the middle of indie's second division, churning out superior angular guitar pop to mild acclaim, Idlewild use The Remote Part to make a bid for promotion to the grown-up's league. UK Top 10 single "You Held the World in Your Arms" luxuriates in a widescreen confidence and love of grand gestures that had previously eluded the Scottish four-piece and sibilant single "American English" is bigger still, an anthem penned with lighter waving and the absurdity of universal truths in mind. REM are still an obvious role model for Roddy Woomble and team, with songs like "(I Am) What I Am Not" and "Tell Me 10 Words" recalling Document's similar shift in gear. Alas, Woomble is sometimes a little too in thrall to Michael Stipe's obtuse wordplay, hiding behind lines like "losing isn't learning to be lost, it's learning to know when you're lost" when he should, by his own admission, "sing a song about himself, not some invisible woman." Minor gripes aside, though, The Remote Part finds Idlewild in excellent form, buzzing with ambition, energy and intelligence, broadening out their style to take in the acoustics of "I Never Wanted", the fuzzed up rock of "A Modern Way" and even a poetry reading on "In Remote Part". --Ian Watson

CD Description
Third album by Scottish indie rockers, following 2000's '100 Broken Windows'. More mature and restrained than their punky earlier work, it features their now trademark guitar harmonies and some lush string arrangements. Produced by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Toploader), it contains the singles 'You Held The World In Your Arms' and 'American English'.

Customer Reviews

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Idlewild have come a long way in a short space of time. Whilst their debut album was brash and uncomfortable, the follow-up "100 Broken Windows" showed more control, a well-honed songwriting talent, and signs of greatness to come. Now on "The Remote Part" the band find perfection in their sound, and match it with a powerful set of songs that attack you with feeling, proving to the likes of Coldplay that emotional music does not have to be wistful and melancholy. If ever an album began perfectly then it is this one. "You Held The World In Your Arms" rips into you right from the start, with dynamic guitars and strings creating a tension that never lets up until the finish. This is surely one of the greatest songs of the millennium to date. Then, without a chance to catch a breath, you are flung headfirst into the punchy "A Modern Way Of Letting Go", before finally being able to relax in the shimmering beauty of "American English", the other standout track on the album. There are moments of magic throughout – like the two-part guitar solo at the end of "I Never Wanted", and the majestic piano line that rides over the chorus in "Live In A Hiding Place" – and Roddy Woomble's emotive vocals sit perfectly on the intense backing sound. The stirring album closer "In Remote Part" fuses an explosion of sound with Edwin Morgan's reading of "Scottish Fiction", and proves that poetry can be used effectively in song without appearing pretentious. One of the most exciting and unique-sounding albums produced for a long time - if Idlewild continue this remarkable progression then album number four will be something to behold.

Awesome big league calling card
Here we go then! Scot based Idlewild throw their all into this world smashing release.

It's been long threatened, it's always been so close, '100 Broken Windows' was brimful of natty little tunes that promised something bigger. 'These Wooden Ideas' and 'Little Discourage' could potentially be the fore fathers to the new improved 'wild behemoth on the top ten shagging 'You Held the World in Your Arms' orchestral bombast and 'American English's' single of the year contender.

It's not so much that they have grown up and stopped arsing around, it's just a marked progression in 'Idlewilds' evolution.

Confident, intelligent, lyrically sound and as vital a U.K band than ever before. See, over the coming year, Roddy Woomble and co wrestle with 'Coldplay' as Britains best band. The anthemic rout of '(I Am) What I am Not' is a traditional live favourite and the effortlessly gorgeous 'Tell me 10 More Words' further cements the bands reputation for penning quality tunes. Their influences are as clear as crystal (R.E.M and Echo & The Bunnymen), but when things are this good who cares?, Idlewild 'covering R.E.M covering The Smiths tm,' never sounded so good.

'Scottish Fiction' spoken by Scots poet 'Edwin Morgan', closing the LP is indicative of 'The Remote Part's' difference from most over ground guitar based rock. They have been lurking around, moodily sharpening their tunes for what seems like an eternity, boys centre stage is all yours!

It just keeps getting better
I first heard "You held the World in Your Arms" on Kerrang and after being heavily impressed i bought the album, and what an album it is. The best Idlewild album in my opinion and something that would attract interest from Goo Goo Dolls fans for example. The album simply does not have a filler song and all the songs could be related to by anyone with well thought lyrics and superb musical accompiament. A definite must.