Track Listing

1. Love Steals Us From Loneliness
2. Welcome Home
3. I Want A Warning
4. I Understand It
5. As If I Hadn’t Slept
6. Too Long Awake
7. Not Just Sometimes But Always
8. The Space Between All Things
9. El Capitan
10. Blame It On Obvious Ways
11. Disconnected
12. Goodnight

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47387 in Music
• Released on: 2005-03-07
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The fourth album from Idlewild, Warnings/Promises sees these Scottish rockers drifting further and further from their genesis as feedback-toying moshpit gremlins; mostly conceived on an acoustic guitar and fleshed out later in the studio, it perhaps makes sense that this is an album that's at its strongest when it catches its creators at their most reflective. Clear stand-outs come with the folksy "I Understand It" and the cello-and-xylophone-accompanied "Not Just Sometimes But Always", restrained moments where frontman Roddy Woomble's vocals – sounding more like R.E.M's Michael Stipe than ever – are granted enough room to spread their wings. However, some of the rockier moments misfire – see the blustering "Too Long Awake", which cuts off abruptly after a few minutes of fairly aimless guitar screech as if suddenly aware it's outstayed its welcome. All in all, there's a feeling here that this is a transitional album for Idlewild, one that catches them in the process of morphing into something else entirely. But who knows? Maybe their Automatic for the People lies just around the corner. --Louis Pattison

CD Description
'Warnings/Promises' is the fourth full length studio recording from Scottish outfit Idlewild and follows their 2002 release 'The Remote Part'. The album sees the band continue with their more mature indie rock sound, combining delicate acoustic moments with noisier outbreaks, sounding not unlike the earlier recordings of REM. The single 'Love Steals Us FromLoneliness' is also included.

Customer Reviews

A Modern Way of Moving On
To cut straight to the point, Warnings/Promises is in terms of it's sound different to the Idlewild of before.

Compare "Not Just Sometimes" to a track such as "You've lost your way" from Hope Is Important. The difference is staggering. Many critics seem to have written this album off, making it seem like Idlewild have sold out to their punk roots.

Certainly Warnings/Promises is not punk, and it clearly shows a line of heritage from The Remote Part. The band has matured, and so has the music. If they carried on writing the same punk, critics would only rebuke them for being stuck in a rut.

Have no doubt though, the talent, passion and ability that has been in all albums previous is still here. The lyrical genius remains, the music may be more mellow, but it doesn't stop it being great. Idlewild are still a cut above other modern hyped rock/indie bands, and as such this album deserves your attention.

Stand out tracks include the lead single "Love Steals us Loneliness", "Welcome Home" and my own personal favourite "El Captain".

Gorgeous
More melodic than The Remote Part, my previous favourite, and with a hint of folk rock in there too. "Love Steals Us From Loneliness" seems at first to be a bit of a let down, but as you listen to it more and more you begin to appreciate the beautiful, slightly saddening lyrics. "Welcome Home" is instantly addictive. "As If I Hadn't Slept" has great lyrics and a well-blended upbeat tune. "Not Just Sometimes But Always" is my personal favourite, just because the lyrics roll off your tongue and the subtle violin melody slips ino the music beautifully. "El Capitan" has an extremely catchy tune and makes you want to listen to it endlessly, with a happy and wistful tune.
I love every song on the album, but here I have picked out my favourites. This is a great all round album, clearly the best of Idlewild. Every song stands out for itself. If you have liked any of Idlewild's music, like soft rock/folk/indie, or indeed have a good taste in music, GET THIS ALBUM. It's AMAZING - I'm not exaggerating!

A brilliant progression. Criminally under-rated
A fantastic effort from Idlewild here. why is it selling for £1.96??????????? is this a mistake? because, well, i think it is quite wrong that one of the greatest albums of 2005 shud be sold off so cheaply so quickly! whats going on?

Idlewild are on top form in this latest effort and have not been recognised at all for their brilliance! OK, so it took me a while to get into the album. after having been a MASSIVE fan of captain, hope is important, 100 BW and remote part i was looking for more of the same, and was dissapointed. but then, what should i be looking for here? the same old, or something new, bold and imaginative? i went back to the album and listened to it in a different frame of mind, and im still loving every second of it! a brilliant buy and certainly worth a lot more than a couple of quid! shame on you amazon!!!!!

the album has crossed so many musical genres and shown that idleiwld can do just about anything and make it sound their own. they are completely individual and original in their ideas, whilst finding inspiration in so many different musical areas. they deserve the highest praise for this outstanding piece of work. but who's going to ive it to them? obviously not amazon, come on guys!