Idlewild - 'Scottish Fiction: Best of 1997-2007'

[u2popmofo]

Hello all. Hopefully there are still some Idlewild fannies around here, as this is semi-interesting news. An Idlewild "best of" called 'Scottish Fiction: Best of 1997-2007' will be released on October 1st (in Europe at least). I admittedly found it a bit strange that the band would be releasing a best of while they're still supporting their new album, 'Make Another World', which just came out less than 6 months ago. Doing a little research it seems that they're under some kind of contract obligations with the old label, so it's being released despite them wanting it to. Even though that's the story they're giving, it still contains 2 tracks from the new album which are on the "new" label, so I'm not really sure what the reality of it all is. Regardless, they're seemingly making it worthwhile for the fanatical types (me) by including a DVD that contains a full concert from earlier this year (Aberdeen Hall), all of their music videos, and an hour plus of documentary/back stage type footage. I'm just hoping that a US version is released as well, as I really don't want to get screwed by the DVD regions being different.


Here's the tracklisting of the CD:

1. You held the world in your arms
2. No emotion
3. Roseability
4. When I argue I see shapes
5. Love steals us from loneliness
6. American English
7. These wooden ideas
8. El Capitan
9. A modern way of letting go
10. Let me sleep (next to the mirror)
11. I'm a message
12. In remote part/Scottish fiction
13. I understand it
14. Little discourage
15. As if I hadn't slept
16. Live in a hiding place
17. Make another world


While I think it's a pretty solid and decent tracklist for an Idlewild best of, I'm wondering who decided to not put 'In Remote Part' as the closing track?! Also, I find 'Make Another World' to be an interesting choice as 1 of 2 tracks from the new album considering 'If It Takes You Home' and 'A Ghost In the Arcade' have been singles.

 

[Bonochick]

Cool! I like Idlewild...only have a couple of their CDs though.

If I ever could actually commit myself to making a top ten song list, there's a good chance that "American English" would be on there.

 

[yertle-the-turtle]

Yeah that looks interesting. Haven't heard anything from the new album yet but they've had some very solid songs and albums, great band.

And yes totally hear you on the 'In Remote Part' non-closer!

 

[u2popmofo]

Good call on American English, BC.

Yertle, look into Make Another World. It's quite rocking and enjoyable.


Well, here's a little more info on the best of. First off, the cover:

This is what's on the DVD:

* DVD:
* Live At Aberdeen Music Hall (19/03/07) + Documentary Interlude Footage From 1997 - 1998
* You Held The World In Your Arms
* No Emotion
* Love Steals Us From Loneliness
* American English
* I'm Happy To Be Here Tonight
* A Modern Way Of Letting Go
* Future Works
* Little Discourage
* Satan Polaroid
* Not Just Sometimes But Always
* El Capitan
* When I Argue I See Shapes
* In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction
* Promo Videos + Audio Commentary From Roddy Woomble
* A Film For The Future
* Everyone Says Your So Fragile
* I'm A Message
* When I Argue I See Shapes
* Actually It's Darkness
* Little Discourage
* These Wooden Ideas
* Roseability
* You Held The World In Your Arms Tonight
* American English
* Live In A Hiding Place
* A Modern Way Of Letting Go
* Love Steals Us From Loneliness
* I Understand It
* El Capitan
* No Emotion
* A Ghost In The Arcade
* Extras
* Everything (As It Moves) (Live at Aberdeen)
* Quiet Crown (Acoustic Instore, London 2002)
* When I Argue I See Shapes (Acoustic Instore, Boston 2003)
* Glasgow Barrowland Web Promo
* The Making Of Warnings/Promises
* If It Takes You Home (studio video)
* Make Another World EPK
* Photo Gallery


I think the first group of songs are from the concert, but I'm not entirely sure. Still no word if it will be released in the US or not. As Sanctuary Recods no longer exists, it's likely that it unfortunately won't be. I'll keep my hopes up though, I really want to see that DVD.

 

[u2popmofo]

Though no one seems to have a remote part (~Cujo) of interest, please allow me to post more Idlewild news. The best of should have come out today in the UK, still no news of whether or not there will be an international release unfortunately. On the positive side, Idlewild has announced they will release a "download only" compilation of rarities and b-sides called 'A Distant History' on . Compare and contrast the cover art for both:

Here's the tracklist:

Queen of the Troubled Teens (self-financed first single on Human Condition label)

Self Healer (B-side of Queen of the Troubled Teens)

Chandelier (early single released on Fierce Panda label)

I Want To Be A Writer (B-side of Chandelier)

Satan Polaroid (early single on Deceptive label)

This Is Worse (B-side of I'm A Message CD1 single)

You Don't Have the Heart (live) (B-side of Little Discourage CD2 single)

There's Glory in Your Story (B-side of These Wooden Ideas CD1 single)

A Distant History (B-side of You Held The World In Your Arms CD2 single)

I Was Made To Think It (B-side of You Held The World In Your Arms CD2 single)

Poor Thing (B-side of American English CD1 single)

The Nothing I Know (B-side of American English CD1 single)

Everything Flows (Teenage Fanclub cover, B-side of Live In A Hiding Place CD1 single)

I Found That Essence Rare (Gang Of Four cover, B-side of Live In A Hiding Place CD2 single)

Hold On To Your Breath (B-side of Love Steals Us From Loneliness CD1 single)

Gone Too Long (B-side of Love Steals Us From Loneliness CD2 single)

Don't Let Me Change (B-side of Love Steals Us From Loneliness CD2 single)

El Capitan (acoustic) (B-side of El Capitan CD single)

Winter Is Blue (Vashti Bunyan cover, B-side of El Capitan 7" single)

Hidden Ways (B-side of No Emotion CD single)

Though I admittedly already have a good number of these, I still think I'll end up downloading it for the rest I don't have. Excited to finally hear the Gang of Four cover. Roddy is supposedly also starting to plan a second solo album.