Idlewild

Not for me

I don’t think I can do this kind of soft rock. I tried, I really did. There’s just no punch to it. It’s the kind of thing that would be hold or elevator music. I kept wanted there to be some crazy drum fills or for that saxophone that sneaks in occasionally to have a ripping solo and then I remember what kind of music I’m listening to and am disappointed. I know I should listen to this as it is and not as I want it to be, but the dated synths and mostly uninteresting vocals fail to allow me not to consider what could be.

Everyone else’s review for this one had me prepared for something truly awful, and this wasn’t that. I didn’t really like it and I don’t think it belongs on this list, but I was expecting worse.

Eh… it is what it is. It’s one of those generally pleasant albums your parents would play back in the day. You didn’t like it, but it was inoffensive enough to not cause upset. A bit boring. Parts of it do sound very 80’s, with those soft backing keys and drum loops. There’s some bass in there that’s threatening to make a mark but doesn’t quite do so. There’s some nice piano and strings. A bit of awkward sax.

This might be the least exciting album I’ve ever heard. It has barely any edges or texture to it.

2.5 rounded down.

This is so 80s. Slow-dance music. Nothing amazing, but not bad

Boring ballads. Good for focusing on work but I would probably not enjoy actively listening to them.

Bland

I found this so astonishingly dull. But it wasn't painful to listen to. But it was incredibly boring. What to do, what to do.....

Thanks to the whole star rating system this is getting a 2, because I can't give it a 1.5, and I have listened to far worse 1s.

2/5

Not especially bad or offensive, but also not especially good and was one of those albums that I just wanted to end sooner rather than later.

I much prefer their earlier records, which by and large distilled folk into their “thing”, versus this soulful jazz incarnation. Honestly can’t listen to this, much as I have a fondness for the duo.

It's better than I remember it but I think this is easily the least of their four 80s albums. Each album has its own distinct sound but this one is the most tentative as Ben Watt begins to noodle with synths and drum machines. The Wikipedia entry even includes a section from Tracey Thorn's memoir that accepts that many of these songs don't really have choruses. Which can be cool if your arrangements are more interesting or your lyrics are more captivating. There's better tunes, better arrangements and way more affecting lyrics on each of their previous three. Skip this and listen to one of those instead.

This is a tough one. I like Tracey Thorn's voice. I like later Everything but the Girl albums. I loved her work with Massive Attack. This album, though, is boring and I don't like it. It's only tough because I like them and don't want to give them the 2 stars this album deserves. I like that it isn't standard 80s pop, but it is very poppy, and it's from the 80s, soooo...

Pretty boring in general. Probably for someone, but not me. 2/5

The Good: We are made aware that what we are listening to is “everything but the girl”
The Bad: We are being lied to…
The Ugly: Lies will make our noses grow…

Familiar with the bandname, unfamiliar with their music, except for, one other two songs that I probably heard while also hearing the bandname being mentioned… and notice that it’s bandname, not band name, just like the title of the album.

Does the singer have a nice voice? Yes.
Are there issues with the arrangements? No.
Did the album irritate? No.
Was I looking at the album cover thinking that this band was a side project for Morrissey? Yes!
Will I listen to this album again? Probably not… However, maybe out of curiosity…

2 1/2*

Uninspiring!

Hold music. Not worthy of this list. 2*

Not my thing. But also didnt hate it. Very low 3

Tracey Thorn's vocals are fantastic - they fit the music perfectly. Ben Watt's music is mostly cool instrumentation with jazzy vibes, but is often unpredictable, which is nice. Only knock is sometimes the music feels like it isn't going anywhere.

3.5/5.0: Very Good

Quite enjoyable

Fine.