Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
For his third foray into the world of solo albums, Roddy Woomble of Idlewild liberates and musically distances himself from the band that many still suggest was one of the great Scottish acts of the last 20 years and delivers a genuinely astounding wonderful piece of work. Whilst Idlewild may not have released a new album for four years, Roddy has plugged away at creating a sound that whilst indicative of his time as the band’s frontman, doesn’t echo and repeat old glories. Listen To Keep goes that little bit further and plays like a dream.
The biggest reason perhaps why that Listen To Keep works so well is that Roddy’s voice still sounds as captivating as it did when Idlewild were at their creative and inspired height. He makes it fit incredibly well with the music that is supplied by some extraordinary musicians that make up his travelling and studio band. Celtic Folk music wouldn’t be the same without someone of stature performing on the violin and in Seonaid Aitkin, who also contributes on the keyboards, piano and backing vocals, plays as if the Devil once owned her soul and decided she was far too good to corrupt, an enjoyable and frustratingly beautiful addition to the music supplied by Gavin Fox, Danny Grant and Sorren Maclean.
The album itself is a testimony to hard work and a chilled atmosphere that the music exudes in great big dirty handfuls. From the superb start of Making Myths, the album flows as deep and as serenely as the River Ness snaking its way through the Scottish landscape and onto The Moray Firth. The serenity shouldn’t fool the listener though for underneath this timeless music beats the heart of some great lyric writing. On tracks such as The Last One of My Kind, the intensely likeable The Universe is on My Side and the stunning I Know Where I Went Wrong, Roddy and the band create something very tangible and strikingly direct.
Listen to Keep is an album of absolute depth and in keeping with some of his best work with Idlewild. A distinctive pleasure!
Ian D. Hall