IDLES- Brutalism
I first encountered IDLES on their NPR Tiny Desk Concert and had two reactions: fear and interest. Those two feelings might be tied together. In any case I tried to check out some of their music and was met with a difficulty: it was too much. Like Raw Power by Iggy Pop, there was just too much energy, too much anger, just too much going on to the point that it became exhausting. But I only ever listened to IDLES singles, and based on my reaction to those, assumed that the albums would be the same. I was wrong.
What keeps the energy from getting overwhelming or going stale is hard to pin down, but it comes down to two things: the first of which is just simple instrumentation. Every song is structured differently, and the speed, which is vital to whether or not an album starts to sound dull, varies just enough so that listening doesn’t become a chore. Nt that it’s a cake walk, but its not supposed to be. This music is meant to get you to wake up and pay attention, like a teacher rapping his knuckles on the desk.
Which brings us to the other reason this album does not get dull: the source of its energy. Normally one’s only used to seeing this kind of energy from something political, think the Sex Pistols for example, or some kind of existential angst. While that does exist in IDLES, that’s not the main source of the energy that keeps the music running. Rather it’s self expression. Joe Talbot, lead singer and songwriter, wants to express himself in his art in the most honest way possible. His father was a sculptor by trade, and there’s a visual artists sensibilities in the boldness with which Talbot allows himself to be vulnerable on tracks like “Date Night,” and “White Privilege.” The music is powered by a need to paint an honest portrait, to assert that “This is me! I’m here! This is how I see the world!”And it’s not a bad thing, it never comes off as dominating, just as enthusiastic. It does get political sometimes. Talbot is a militant liberal, but it is incidental to his personality not the focal point.
4/5 There are many many people whose life can be improved by IDLES. For a taste check out “Mother,” “Faith in the City” and “Stendhal Sydrome.” Also check out some concert footage.Their concerts are crazy.