Hope Is Important
Though heavy, distorted guitars have fallen out of favor with the mainstream crowd, the Indie Rock Nation (a benevolent army of bands bent on making vital, original music) hasn't lost the love for a good loud guitar. Idlewild don't exactly bludgeon their way throughHope Is Important--there are plenty of dynamics--but the 12 songs are, in fact, filled with powerful, surging guitars that sit quite comfortably alongside some nice, understated vocal hooks. There is a youthful exuberance and freshness to this record that would definitely make it a favorite among the emocore crowd. Idlewild have the musical bluster ofSunny Day Real Estate(without the prog-rock puzzlings), the angsty musical tension of theTreepeople, and the pop-punk appeal ofJawbreaker. A smart, punchy record that flies the indie-rock flag proudly, distorted guitars and all.--Adem Tepedelen