Idlewild

Fine but also I didn't care enough to finish it. New strategy with this list! Who cares!

# Playlist Track - I don't want to talk about it # Notes - Dug the opening tracks, but once "The Night I heard Caruso Sing" rolls on, I'm done. - Kind of a boring album, unfortunately,

Basic light pop music, I get a retro country feel on some of the tracks. Enjoyed the singing. Feels like music you would hear in a hotel lobby or department store.

Gentle pop

One of the most 80s sounding records on this list so far... sounds like surely most things on this record ust have been made with DX7 almost. Got all the 80s bells and chimes etc. Very uninspiring drum machine sounds as well. The album definitely lacked some variation, and it hasn't aged particularly well. For what I was, though, I actually enjoyed it more than I expected to. It doesn't really have any hits, but I just thought everything was fairly nice. I was a bit sad when I found out that my favourite song on the record 'I Don't Want To Talk About It' was a cover, but still a nice song. Not a record I would really recommend to anyone, but wasn't half bad. Solid 3.

Just a nice, cozy album with some good vocals. Nothing really stood out when listening except maybe the first track. A lot of albums get 3s since they just pass me by without leaving an impression. This did leave an impression, but again, no song really stood out. I can see me putting this on again for some relaxing music. Solid 3.

I hadn't heard of Everything But the Girl before. They are the musical pair of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt, and their style is called sophisti-pop. The subgenre emerged from the new wave of the 80s, using electronic keyboards, synthesizers, perfectionist recording, and most importantly atmosphere. Understanding what sophisti-pop is helped me understand why I enjoyed this album. The production is pristine even if dated, as Ben and Tracey trade sultry vocals as the session musicians create the necessary ambiance to make this album pleasant to the ears with just enough flourishes to keep it an engaging listen. I get that this style of music might not be as energetic for everyone, but I can walk away from meeting this album halfway and enjoying it. Give it a chance.

Not awful, but not a single song stood out. Generic 80s love album. Not 1 star territory but we can do better than this

Passable elevator music 2.7

Not a redeemable quality about it

Ok

Idlewild is the fourth album from Everything But the Girl, a British pair that makes folk-pop. These are soft-rock songs, with extensive used of synthesizers. These songs sound like they are made for the soundtracks of romantic comedies. This is a collection of pretty songs, but ones that are not particularly memorable. The elements are all there - voices, melodies, and arrangements - but in this case, the combination does not amount to very much.

Pretty enjoyable

I listened to this showering this morning and then while eating breakfast. Especially hit hard on Goodbye Sunday even though today is Tuesday. This felt like the kind of album that played in elevators or malls in the 80’s and I laugh because at that point I’m like why is this on the list and of course it’s a 4th album by a British band. Say no more. Not sure this needed to be here.

Our second from this group, and I distinctly remember the other album being more electronic, with a techno edge, so I take it they changed their style up. This one is more adult-contemporary, very pleasant music. Easy on the ears, with a few songs that really grabbed me. The singer has a great voice. Really enjoyable listen, though not sure how I would compare it to the other we got from them. Favorite tracks: These Early Days, Oxford Street, Shadow on a Harvest Moon, Lonesome for a Place I Know. Album art: Just a picture of two people. Is this the group? No idea, and it's not interesting enough for me to look up. 3.5/5

A bit depressing. Not the best album.

Das Album ist eine Mischung aus Sophisti-Pop, Indie-Pop und Jazz-Pop. Das Album bietet eine interessante Mischung aus akustischen Instrumenten, Synthesizern und Drum-Machines, was für eine abwechslungsreiche Klanglandschaft sorgt. Die Texte behandeln alltägliche Themen wie Familie, Beziehungen und das Aufwachsen in den Vororten, was dem Album eine persönliche Note verleiht. Einige Songs neigen dazu, ineinander überzugehen, was das Album stellenweise etwas monoton erscheinen lässt. Die Produktion und der Einsatz von 80er-Jahre-Drums und Synthesizern versetzen den Hörer in eine andere Zeit - spannend.

An ok sound; not great. A couple of songs were nice. Overall it was boring, although it wasn't totally unpleasant. Best use would be background music.

Don't want to sound mean but this is just a hip Simply Red isn't it. Lounge coffee table music.

Beautiful music, perfect for a cloudy day train ride to work. Bland but I didn’t mind it.

Very disappointed to learn this wasn't actually an obscure Idlewild album called Everything But The Girl. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. I thought it might be Cocteau-esque, but it was just...quite boring. Speaking of, I do hope that the Twins are on here.

I think my reaction to this was more cultural than musical but this felt like a warm huge from an estranged big sister. Its very much of its time and place and i was 8 and in the north of england when it was released. I was familiar with their rebirth with a more electronic based sound post Todd Terry remix in the mid 90s but didnt know their earlier stuff. Her voice is fantastic, the collage of scenes and reminiscences were very evocative and i liked the composition. There were a few very 80's Sade-esque flourishes that have dated badly but thats not a real problem. Ive immediately started to listen to their back catalogue which is a sign of something brilliant.

I really didn’t like it At I missing something? No sense of artist voice/identity and every song sounded the same

I might have to just start skipping these albums only British people have heard of. I wish I had been warned about how skewed this list would be.

I think if I listened to this in isolation it would be a 3. However it feels like we've had loads of shitty middle of the road British indie lately so I am not feeling in anyway generous. Take your two and fuck off.

Could t finish it. Not my type of music at all.

I'm pretty sure that this is going to be my least favorite album on this whole shindig. DNF

Too slow and mellow for my tastes

Oh man, this is really, really, *really* good... At invoking narcolepsy. I almost nodded off, nearly dropping my breakfast of milque toast, which is WAY more savory and daring than the music contained herein.

3☆/5 08.17.2024

Sehr schönes Album, angenehm produziert. Aber man kann sagen, was man will: "I don't wanna Talk" ist der Übersong. Fast schon besser als das Original. Spricht das jetzt gegen das ganze Album?

I thought this was quite generic, uninspiring folk/pop. Talented musicians for sure, but I don't care for it. I don't mind their hit song Missing, but nothing on this album reached that level.

Nope. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did. There were points where I thought something was going to happen, but it didn’t. I bet these two get that a lot.

boring 80s ballads, could have gone fine without ever hearing this

Idlewild is just like a lot of the other albums i have looked at for this project when it comes to quality, Its not a very remarkable album but it is still fairly solid for what it is. The songs were all generally good sounding and never really felt annoying or super boring but there isn't really anything interesting i can really say about the majority of them. The saxophone and trumpet solos were cool and some of the songs did have that Super Nintendo sounding keyboard which i just like about it. This album is a fine listen, especially on valentines day with your significant other but it doesn't really do anything that other new wave albums from this time period haven't done. Best Song: Goodbye Sunday Worst Song: I Don't Want To Talk About It

war okay, nix besonderes

I just got one of their albums and it made me realize that they're embody my least favorite type of music. Now you lay this shit on me again?

Soft pop music

Soft rock / high-pitched vocals almost a cranberries sound

Very 80s pop that is a bit dreamy but not really dreampop yet. I liked the singer more in her capacity working with Massive Attack. So I'm very neutral towards this album.

Ok

Good listen.

I was looking forward to this when I saw it on the list. They have always been one of those bands Inlet play when they come on but never listen to record. I’m glad I have now. There is another record on the list as well. Looking forward to it.

Pretty generically fits into this era of music. Voice is nice but not much else does it for me. 3.5

2.5

this is losing the mid off because its slightly worse than mid. genuinely so so boring and bland

Execrable

Corny and dated and not good.

It wasn't Idlewild that introduced me to Everything But The Girl but seeing their name immediately makes me wistful. Tracey Thorn's voice reaches into your chest. Heart wrapped in sound and pulled forward, exposed. While I prefer the more electronic stylings of Amplified Heart, this album gives me the EBTG feels I expect.

This album is silky smooth with its production and subtle grooves, but it also feels like a warm blanket with its nostalgic lyrics. Tracey Thorn sings passionately about love, loss, and a yearning for days past. Felt like a more complete album than Walking Wounded, solid songs throughout. The most notable were Love Is Here Where I Live, Oxford Street, and Goodbye Sunday. Not a classic, but definitely a band worth exploring. Borderline 3-4.

I first heard of Everything But The Girl in the mid 90's with Missing You which was a huge hit in the UK and I didn't like it as I thought it was boring. The music on this album might be slightly different from later EBTG albums but unfortunately they are just as boring.

Какая стремная девушка ;;(

I'm not sure what I expected, but bland, below average pop tunes was not it.

Too slow for me to really enjoy, and the likability dropped off significantly after the first track. 2.4 stars

Very soft, not great, but not terrible

Loved the first song but the rest were pleasant enough

Bit boring ngl

Its a lovely sound, but gets a bit lounge music-y and sort of runs out of ideas

Starts with a beautiful cover. My main criticism would be, I feel like they do slightly more alive numbers, and this has too many ballads, everything on it is good. Probably not as good as the other album of theirs on the list. But a solid 3

Impatiently Waiting For Your Mom to Finish Shopping at Boscov’s in 1989: The Soundtrack.

This is offensively anodyne. Why is this album on a list of albums I must listen to. 1/5

Thoroughly meh 2.5

Comes across as overly sentimental.

Lovely stuff

ass

Not sure why this is on the list tbh. I found it neither groudbreaking, important or interesting. Soz but nah

Wasnt offensive to my ears. But meh, very soft pop ballards.

Never liked them, always found them dreary and drippy and this album just reinforces that. Awful!

Christ I hated them in he 80’s - I haven’t changed my opinion - hold music for car insurance.

boring ass music

80s Easy Listening

I may not always be in the mood for some saxy sweet love, but when I am, I am. This had everything but the techno from Walking Wounded, but I quite loved it. Music to sit and eat chocolates to.

I found this one very pleasant to listen to. I guess it just seems like something is Missing.

Very late 80s adult contemporary vibe. It worked for a quiet Friday night.

The moment I saw this I was hoping “Am I The Same Girl?” Was on this album. Oops… that’s Swing Out Sister. For some reason I confuse the two. Well, what I found instead was a pleasant enough listen although it never really rose to the heights of “listen to before I die” status for me. Maybe I just can’t shake the feeling that Swing Out Sister and many other interesting groups will likely be omitted from this list to allow Everything But The Girl two spots, which doesn’t feel exactly right. Anyhoo… as I said pleasant. Nice. I even listened to this twice. But it doesn’t really catch fire for me…

Nothing stood out, but it wasnt bad, just ok. I like me some 80s sounding sad pop

Very 80s sound. I like the singers voice. 2 stars. Probably don’t need to listen to this again.

No redeeming features

nice

An ok, easy listening album

Aww no, EBTG. I kinda remember them being indie darlings and listening to this I really don’t get why. Bland and boring. If we are talking sophistipop you cannot beat The Blue Nile. They seem like nice people though

Nice if unmemorable album. Reminds me of Joan Armatrading or Barbara Streisand. 6/10

I do like EBTG but after the first two albums and Walking Wounded it's individual tracks rather than albums. This is one of those albums from the late 80s that feels like everyone is under pressure from the record company to come up with hits...so there's a cover. 2.3.

I first heard of this band from their song Apron Strings, which was featured in the movie She's Having A Baby. It’s a beautiful description of the longing women feel for motherhood and EBTG became a staple of my music listening in the 90’s. I love Tracy’s voice, the songwriting, the “sophisti-pop”, it’s all wonderful.

A bit dull

DNF not for me.

Really, really awful.

Un poco insípido... pero buen saax

Some ballads, some pop and some more jazzy tracks all with a beautiful female vocal.

More Brit bias from this list. Nothing special.

Not sure if this needs to be here. Thorn has a great voice, but the arrangements are bland and it lacks the emotional backbone of their later work.

Pretty smooth pop music. It gets a little boring after a while.

I was there for it at the start and excited about what was to come. Unfortunately, nothing particularly interesting followed, and by the end I was just waiting for it to finish so I could move on to something else.

I had never heard of this group and now I've got two of their albums in back-to-back days. I enjoyed the other much more than this one. This one was just unoffensive 80's soft-pop. "These Early Days" was a fun track though.

Tracey Thorn has a lovely delicate voice and some of the lyrics are poignant, but this album blends into much of the other adult contemporary around at the time. You could make killer vaporwave from some of these tracks, though.

Forgettable 80's soft pop. Surprised this would make the list.

Pretty mellow. Fake drums very apparent. Overall, pretty average.

This was ass. Fuck right off.

I likr it for coding work

80's cheese. It's like pop but smoother, with the addition of brass instruments. Definately different from the first album of theirs I reviewed (not necessarily bad, just odd). Favourite songs: Apron Strings, Goodbye Sunday, Oxford Street, I Don't Want to Talk About It Least favourite songs: The Night I Heard Caruso Sing 3/5

How is there a second album by this group on this list? I mean it is pretty enough, but surely one album made the point? I'm feeling belabored; minus one star.

Cute lounge music , but nothing really outstanding

Chill music, but can get a bit samey

Good for background noise and not much more. The hit song doesn't save the rest.

I don't want to talk about it Oxford street Tears all over town Chill, mélodique

Favourite tracks: Oxford street; apron spring

This album is fine, but is what I assume they play in the background of episodes of Gilmore Girls. Nothing objectionable but also completely forgettable.

Solid apartment cleaning music. No need to focus on it but good enough to actually get stuff done quickly.

Ok but a bit wishy washy for me.

Some stand out tracks but some fillers too. Overall decent but not their best

3/5. Pretty chill and catchy. Not very much going through each song though so it is nice, it is also the same song throughout. I want it to be exciting but it really is the same drum beat throughout, sped up or slowed down. It does save itself by having some songs with no choruses, mostly just verse after verse, which is unique in pop and keeps me entertained. It was not a bad listen, just not something I haven't heard before. Best Song: I Don't Want To Talk About It, I Was Always Your Girl, Lonesome For A Place I Know

Cool sound. Much more mellow than I expected. Kinda shades of Suzanne Vega. Very cool and melodic with a great hi-fidelity sound. Very nice melodies and harmonies. Would listen again with zero hesitation, five stars.

Horrible

Love this. One of my all time favorite albums, have loved it since it was released.

This album sounds like an 80’s album and not in the good way and I know it came out in 88. Most songs could be played at the end of any sappy 80’s flick. Doesn’t hold up to the test of time.

"Idlewild" is an album by British musical duo Everything but the Girl. Considered "Sophisti-pop," this album sounds like a serene, ambient music, like what might be heard in a hipster coffeeshop. Calling this album [insert adjective] pop is a misnomer because its not pop or popular in any sense of the word. The whole album blandly blends together and amounts to very little in terms of notability.

Yeah… no… this is not for me. It’s not that they are bad at what they do, but to me, this is very uninteresting.

I gave this a couple of listens and found it oddly compelling. I think the character of the vocals is really interesting, nice harmonies, and while the instrumentation is a bit elevator music in places, it's certainly skillfully played.

Ok. Bit same same

This is the music they play in hotel lobbies. I was going to give this a 2, as I was eating breakfast and not really having to give this my full attention, but then I was done and had to actually listen to the last 3 songs and oh, no. They felt longer than the 9 songs I didn’t actively listen to as much, they are that boring. And I listened enough to know that they’re the same exact type of music, that they’re basically the same songs, the same boring songs, and this 1 star rating is for all the people who had to actively listen to this for an excruciating 45 minutes. And also since it got me specifically so bored but still.

When I saw Roxy Music was an influence I lost hope. Better though.

One good single does not an album make.

Disappointing

I’m listening on a train while winding my way through the beautiful countryside of the West Midlands. It’s so relaxed that I’m just sort of melting into the seat. My Mum is a big Everything But The Girl fan and so I know a fair few of these songs although I’ve never listened to the album before. And while the song construction and production is pretty immaculate, the band’s real selling point is Tracey Thorn and her voice. My god, what an instrument. The lyrics feature the mix of domestic and pastoral themes that I’m a sucker forever, and their version of I Don’t Want To Talk About It is the best one, hands down. Suck it Rod Stewart

Why is this album on this list. I didn't need to listen to this album before I die. I did not lis this at all. I cannot beleive this was their forth album!

The equivalent of the plain lettuce salad with lukewarm water, but one of the best you've ever had.

Pure Moods has found its polar opposite.

I love waiting rooms.

#11 - Very chill, makes for good vibes background music. No earworms or songs kept for any playlist.

Aside from the vocals, it sounds like pretty much all the instruments are played on a Casio keyboard. I’m sure that’s not the case, but everything is synthesized to the point where it sounds amateurish. Using a drum machine for percussion isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the way it sounds here is basic and at the same time seems to be mastered oddly where it’s louder than other pieces which should maybe be more prominent. I haven’t enjoyed much by Everything but the Girl, but this might be my least favorite.

I didn’t mind this album but there’s just something about Tracy’s voice that I don’t gel with. I really want to like them if that’s any consolation? Possibly it’s the dance stuff that put me off.

Boring cheesy 80s ballads, nonstop

Just a half notch above AI generated 80s synthetic pop. Comes close to a list soundscape on occasion. Droning monotone vovals kills it

The “wild” is silent.

The first song was nice, but everything afterwards increasingly grated on me and felt like a pale shade of the first track. The lead singer obviously has a nice voice, but the instrumentation is so dated and bland and the overall sound of every song got increasingly repetitive. It felt like music that would be playing in a department store while I waited for my mom to finish buying a pair of shoes.

this was just boring mall muzak, what the heck? i only wrote down two vital notes as i was listening: - oxford street has water level music - the night i heard caruso sing was like a billy joel b-side with moxy fruvous vocals favorites: i don't want to talk about it (me in this review lmao), the night i heard caruso sing

01) I Don't Want To Talk About It - 10,0 02) Love Is Here Where I Live - 7,5 03) These Early Days - 7,5 04) I Always Was Your Girl - 7,5 05) Oxford Street - 7,0 06) The Night I Heard Caruso Sing - 7,5 07) Goodbye Sunday - 7,0 08) Shadow on a Harvest Moon - 7,0 09) Blue Moon Rose - 7,5 10) Tears All Over Town - 7,0 11) Lonesome for a Place I Know - 7,5 12) Apron Strings - 8,0 TOTAL: 7,58 (76/100) Current ranking: 103/195 I've always loved Tracey Thorn's voice, "Missing" is one of my favorite songs from my teenage days. I only know the first song on this album, while the rest sounds typical of the way eighties pop albums sounded. From today's point of view, maybe a little dated and not too inventive, but still inoffensive. I've heard worse things on this list.

This is absolute garbage and its inclusion on this list should embarrass the authors and editors. It’s this kind of detritus that clogged up the pop airwaves for 40 years. If you’re not going to do anything interesting, get the fuck out.

Easy on the ears

Not a lot to be interested about here. Songs are generally bland and there are no real good tracks to even it out. No need to listen again.

3/5

This was one of the worst records I had to listen to.

I listened to this early in the morning in Majorca on a run. What a funny sound track this was. I have no idea what a made it. Cringe-core ennit. But like it wasn't terrible other than some dubious lyrics! Wouldn't listen again

I think I'd heard of this band but didn't know their music. As soon as it started I recognised the vocals as from Protection by Massive Attack, then found out it's Tracy Thorn. I've got one of her books are home to read. Interesting stuff! As for the album, it's quite cool, weird and ballady but she's got a great voice. I really couldn't place it. It sounds really cheesy but does have a bit of edge to it in places.

This just sounds like an audition to get the job as the lounge singer on a Carnival Cruise, not something that should be on this list. And based on this album, I don't think she's going to get the job either.

Very unclear why this must be listened to before one’s demise. Some will enjoy it nevertheless. But for me it does not invite another, closer listen.

This thing is a rough listen, despite its clean production and great vocalists, as the whole thing is impeccably fake sounding. The instrumentation varies from smooth jazz lounge guitar playing to drum machines that would make the biggest pop stars from the time look away in fear, and the singing, while technically impressive, is a dime a dozen, and does nothing to stand above contemporaries. Perhaps it is to be celebrated for its safe textures in an era of unknowing, as if there is one thing this album is sure of, it's itself, but the whole thing is sleep inducing, and that can get aggravating even forty minutes later. An interesting juxtaposition to the music they would go on to make, but certainly not something to enjoy, as there are far smoother albums from the era in the same general genre as this one that go down far better.

Quite nice

I don't even know what this is. How many albums are on this list again?! Will I like it? Let's judge an album by its cover. We have a very aged looking photograph of a man and a woman and the man has a suit on and a boutonnier - classic prom shoot. But they look like they may be a gay couple (she has short hair - could just be the 80's; and he is maybe a bit ambiguous - I'm not judging, just guessing). The title is Everything But The Girl, which could either mean he has everything but he laments losing her or he wants everything but the girl. Let's listen and read some Wikipedia and Genius Lyrics and find out! Well I was wrong, the title isn't Everything But The Girl... That's the band name. The album name is Idlewild, which evokes images of being wild within the confines of your home. I imagined the man singing but now I think maybe the woman will sing based on some of the song titles. So, they're married and forgive me about the assumptions I made earlier. Do I know any of these songs? Well this is 80's prom music so I guess I was sort of right. Woof. I'm not sure I like this. It's like it made way for some Jewel or Pink or Natalie Imbruglia in the 90s. OK but as a guy whose wife is pregnant with twin girls, These Early Days got me. The harpsichord crap is terrible though. Oh but she ruined it by using a boy's name at the end. Damnit Jimmy. There were other songs that I kind of weirdly enjoyed. I kept saying this isn't for me. This is a lounge act. This isn't good. But then I started liking songs and I said fuck it. There's something here, but I'm not sure what it is. Fuck it. 5 stars. I was going to go with 3 stars, but no. 5 stars. Don't tell anyone.

Sleepy-time music

Not for me. Not sure why this is here. Blah

The most generic, smack dab average album I've ever heard. The absolute definition of a 3. I thought about giving it a 2 for lacking originality but I didn't hate it. I was just apathetic.

This is a band that my mum would put on constantly and I loathed it as a child. Her throaty frog voice pissed me and the instrumentals dug into my wrinkly little brain. Now as an adult I actually rather enjoyed this listen. This is also not the album my mum overplayed the shit out of so that helped. The more 80s vibe to the instrumentals changed the song dynamics quite a bit from the album I remember listening to which I believe was more 90s themed. Pretty great vocals and lovely instrumentals. “Apron Strings” is definitely a song that has been played a child’s funeral. 8/10

Good 80’s band. Good sound.

2 I wouldn’t say it’s bad just super lame and cheesy

nunca se sale del plato. Todo esta bien pero m falta algo, demasiado soso. tipica tia q hace lo q se espera de ella y lo hace todo bien, no hay ningun fallo. Bien pero aburrido

Inoffensive. I must say, there is something about this album having a place in the mid/late 80s music scene that quite pleases me.

Lovely voice & good for mellow work music but not something I'd actively listen to.

Not really a fan. This was putting me to sleep. No interest.

This album was just so boring. It sounded like someone playing keyboards in the 70s lounge at a steakhouse. The singing was fine but the exact same song sounding like every single time. I had to skip through all songs and couldn’t finish this album.

Boring-ass snoozefest of an album. Sounds like a bad performance at a lounge. Hasn't aged well. I like her voice and the song "Apron Strings", but that's about it. 2/5.

It’s chill and mood setting. But there’s not much to it. Good for ambiance at a winery not so much for everyday listening.

Je pense que l’album était en loop pendant que je jouais à Arena, je m’en suis rendu compte à la troisième boucle. Ya rien de vraiment spécial sur cette album, mais la musique était vraiment douce et se mêlait super bien à l’arrière plan du jeu. Je sais pas si c’est un compliment tout ça, dans le doute je donne un 3 et puis basta

It's so forgettable that I keep forgetting I'm listening to it. It's like being trapped in Walgreens or some off brand department store.

Liked this more than I expected to

Chill but not amazing. Better than bad.

Awful 80s pablum

Only had the time to listen once. The first song was really nice, so I was looking forward to the rest, but the rest was not nearly as good. Boring songs with nothing special going for them. There are albums I've rated lower that I think are more entitled to a spot on this list due to their unqueness. Nothing unique here, just skimmed milk.

Awesome

Stuck in the elevator on the way to the dentist’s waiting room.

Hey! You got Idlewild in my Muzak. No! You got Muzak in my Idlewild. Seriously this is like being 10 again standing in the JCPenny basement staring at bra tag ladies while my mom argues with the 3rd representative in a row as to why she can't have her fur out of storage unless she pays off her credit debt. RIP MA!

mostly a snooze for me. i prefered the beth orton record from a couple days ago.

these guys again - and on top of that worse than the last time

Pretty bland and forgettable. I can see why people like this but it's definitely not me. Not 1 star bad but I won't be coming back to this again

wyjec ktorego wynajmuja na wesele, co to ma byc w ogole

Interesting pop music, much better than expected.

My reviews keep getting messed up.l, but this was a snooze fest. Some kind of soft pop with smooth instrumentals, but not a good smooth (more of a sterile smooth jazz). Music you would hear your weird aunt listening to when you were young and/or the theme song to a cancelled pilot about a boring family with a dog named Benny. Not for me at all.

It is not a bad album by any means. It has its charm -coming mainly from the warmth in the voice. However, I am trying to think why this is on the list. If this album was not released, would we have a different state of the music? What is its impact? I see some influence in the ecto or tangentially in trip hop. But, cannot think about anything else...

Enjoyed the softer late 80's sound style

I made it 4 songs in and had to turn it off. Why is this here? Trash "easy listening" with shaky vocals. 2.5/10 (1.25/5)

A surprising album. Similar to a lot from the same era, but a nice take on a lost genre.

Very KD Lang

Before pivoting to downtempo in the '90s, Everything But The Girl was a cute little indie pop outfit that did tenderness better than most. The problem is that it's '80s sheen makes it sound so boring and flat, it occasionally sounds like telephone hold music. While pleasant, Idlewild lacks a certain X factor that makes it stand out. Otherwise it's a fairly middling album.

Tracks are all essentially some solemn 'oh no he/she is gone I miss them' type love/melancholy tune. Some interesting accompanying rhythms throughout, especially in the second half of the album.

This gives "doctors waiting room".

Not terrible, but definitively background music.

I was expecting much worse based on these reviews. This is pretty ordinary pop from the late 80’s. Not my thing but well done

Oh, how I love this band. In the middle of all the grunge, metal and gangster rap of the late 80s, these two bitches went full easy-listening liteFM. And it’s goddamn great. This is unironically wonderful. Today it might seem more like mall music. Like something playing gently in the background, at a luxury resort spa retreat, in wine country. And, yeah, you might have had five Chardonnays with lunch, but you’re on vacation, Brenda. Relax, you worked so hard for this. You earned this weekend away from grind. Let the sultry saxophone lull you, as all the tension in your body just melts away. You don’t need to think about anything ever again. You’re safe now. Everything is Idlewild.

Nope

An album full of slow, tender pop ballads is not my thing. If it were, k.d. lang is better at it. She has a nice voice though. The guy was fine too I guess. The music was just dull to me though.

Good

good

meh, åttitalls I guess, gadd ikke høre så mye.

Reading the band name, I imagined one of the typical edgy indie rock or post-punk bands that litter this list. That's certainly not what we got though. This is definitely a pop album, but it's a dreamy, mystical, ephemeral and enchanting sort of pop. It also has it's share of musical variation. For instance The Night I Heard Caruso Sing sounds like The Cure went chamber pop. This album definitely focuses more on a sense of poetry - both in terms of music and lyrics - than on producing the next big hit of the season. But that does also comes with a cost. None of the tracks on Idlewild have much staying power after an initial listen. This could very well change with multiple listens of tracks like Lonesome For A Place I Know. But at least on one listen, nothing stands out as being particularly catchy or memorizable. Not sure if I'll revisit this one or not. But it was interesting and beautiful and I enjoyed it a lot more than the majority of albums on this list. 4.5 rounded up.

fun

Idlewild is the fourth album by British musical duo Everything but the Girl. This pop album features acoustic instruments, synths, and drum machines, as the duo wanted to both try some modern sounds and stick with the classic recording process. Released to critical acclaim, this album has been certified gold in the UK and remains a fan favorite of the duo. I thought Idlewind was a relaxing pop album that would make a great soundtrack for a chilled-out event.

Terrible

The good- Thorn’s pleasing vocals. Otherwise, a surprisingly bland affair from a band I had assumed had a bit more oomph. It is very hard to see who is the audience for this. Todd Terry saved their career.

This was a perfectly lovely listen, if a bit milquetoast. I generally enjoy EBTG, who have several very good albums in their 80s "sophisti-pop" incarnation. But this is one of the less interesting ones. "Apron Strings" and the cover of "I Don't Want to Talk About It" are both excellent, standout tracks while the rest of the album is fairly unmemorable. Fave Songs: I Don't Want to Talk About It, Apron Strings, Shadow on a Harvest Moon, Goodbye Sunday, Oxford Street

Kann man nebenbei hören

I tried twice to get into this, no success. Too slow and samey.

mellow pop, classical female vocals. not too bad

Peaceful album, nice listen but not my taste in music

Lyrically, it's smart and clever, but musically it's pretty dull. Hard to believe what they'd become later from this!

Just another way over represented UK album with no reason to be on this list.

I'm not caring for the country vibe of this album. Now it's gone to jazzy... which I also don't care for.

What in the “easy listening” adult contemporary boring schlock is this?

Nope.

I knew nothing about this album but I'd been looking forward to it, based on my incorrect assumptions about what it would sound like. Wikipedia calls this "sophisti-pop," but I would call it adult contemporary. Blegh. Tracey Thorn has a lovely voice but this type of music is a slog for me to get through.

Huh, only had their other album from the book the other day. First song - Oh right, this is by them!? I don't really like it particularly but it's a good song. As far as 'middle of the road ballads' go. I can imagine my mum liking it. Oh it's a cover. Ah yeah I think I've heard the arod Stewart version plenty, as well as this one. Not sure about the original Crazy Horse though. I always thought they had some indie type past, not this schlocky stuff. By track 3 I am going to need a fairly abrupt left turn to stay interested. Ok I can tell that's not going to happen. Trying hard not to be dismissive, and I'm sure there's some nice lyrical content here but I'm getting far too much doctor's waiting room vibes. Far too easy listening, with twee production to boot. Sounds like The Sundays but not as good. Just not for me.

I love her voice, his not so much. The music is mediocre at best, and the lyrics suffer from the overall package.

Deep Blue Something from the UK with more electronics

Nothing special

Love Tracey's voice.

Wasn't feeling this at first, but the vocal harmonies really got to me around Oxford Street. Production feels a bit dated. Would have written this off if it weren't on the list.

Душевно.. потрёпанное фото на обложке как символ чего-то ушедшего. В данном случае любви. Нравится, что поёт девушка. Такой вот я дурачок, что с женским вокалом мне приятнее. Наверное, в настроение попало просто, сегодня с утра слушал fleur и грустил. Тут тоже грусть, но лёгкая, светлая.

Aus meiner Sicht gibt es 2 Einsatzmöglichkeiten für dieses Album: Option 1: Softporno-Hintergrund-Mukke (da dann gerne auch ohne Vocals) Option 2: Hintergrundmusik für den clichéhaftesten Urlaubsabend am Mittelmeer von Manfred und Uschi. Für die beiden ist es so authentisch und einmalig, während ich mir nichts schlimmeres vorstellen könnte. Darauf kann man mit dem roten Hauswein anstoßen, bevor es dann hophop schnell wieder auf das Kreuzfahrtschiff zum Bingospielen geht. Es ist ja per se keine schlechte Musik und sicherlich besser als irgendeine Avantgarde-Experimentier-Kacke, Ich habe aber keinen Sinn für diese Mucke..

- Joa, was soll ich sagen, hat mich überhaupt nicht abgeholt - Dachte sehr oft „was sind das alles für schmalzige Schmunzetten?!“ - also insgesamt nicht meins, und ich musste mich irgendwann echt bisschen durchquälen, wobei ich sagen muss, dass mir grundsätzlich so eine Popmusik immer noch besser gefällt als vieles, was heute die Charts bestimmt, weil man durchaus merkt, dass da zwei richtige Musiker dahinterstecken - anders wären die durchaus in teilen „jazzigen“ instrumentals so sicher nicht möglich gewesen - Außerdem ist die Entstehung des Bandnamens irgendwie witzig Rating: gut gemeinte 1,5-1,75/5

- Bis auf Oxford Street und These Early Days ist dieses Album absolut rücksichtslos an mir vorbeigerauscht. Wie wenn man auf einer langen Autofahrt Radio hört, sich aber nebenbei noch etwas unterhält und sich irgendwann fragt: Was haben wir sie letzten 30 Minuten eigentlich gehört. - Hab nochmal durchgeskippt und es ist für mich leider zum größten Teil belanglose und reizlose popmusik - 1,75/5

Hat mich nicht abgeholt. Sehr schnulzig. Aber auch schon schlimmeres gehört.

It's ok. The songs where the man sang were usually pretty bad. Will I listen to again: 0%

It's not awful music, and I kind of like the vocals, but it's just a forgettable album overall. Had it playing while doing some work and at no point did it grab my attention. Didn't need to hear this one.

Nothing special about this, maybe just the first song is great.

very nice. songs very pretty and vocal performances excellent. good shit 4/5

Un album tellement unidimensionnel, tellement monotone, tellement inoffensif. Les mélodies sont peu recherchées, trop simple et souvent sonne comme de la musique d'ambiance qu'on aurait dans une boutique quétaine. Il n'y a vraiment rien qui fait en sorte que j'avais à écouter cet album avant de mourir. Ce n'est pas la pire chose que j'ai entendu, mais j'oublie les chansons au fur et à mesure qu'elles jouent. 3/10

This was a very poignant and soulful album with some heart rending lyrics. I don't know how often I'd be in the mood to listen to this type of emotional music, but it was a good album.

One of the most boring albums I’ve ever listened to holy shit

🩷

This is just a collection of background songs fitted for the cheesiest scenes of Dawson’s Creek

I have maybe heard of this band? I'm chugging through a lot of 80s albums in a row. Maybe the generator is trying to get a bunch of them out of the way for me. Tracey Thorn has a beautiful voice. The opening track is a lovely; she sounds great, and the guitar sounds warm and sweet. I am wary of an album that opens with a cover. Some of the 80s production dates these songs for the worse. "Love Is Here Where I Live" has that piddling drum machine sound that takes the polish off the heavy piano and layered vocals. If you took the vocals off a lot of these songs, it would sound like waiting room music. I spent a lot of this album waiting for the next song to see if that one would stick. Anyways, I've heard Tracey Thorn has a good solo career. I'll go check some of that out. Highlights: I Don't Want to Talk About It, The Night I Heard Caruso Sing, Shadow on a Harvest Moon, Apron Strings

Interesting mix of genres. With a side of a great vocal and a drop of classy saxophone. 3.5/5.

nice background music

Didn't leave much of an impression sadly! No single song stood out much to me, and it's not the kind of thing I think I'd revisit

At best background music, at worst boring. Not sure why this is a must listen, must be hundreds of albums like this.

Boring synth pop. No real standout songs

Yawn. Couldn't get through this. Expected to enjoy it going in, but I was very very wrong.

Pues muy bonico. Sobre todo la primera canción. I Don't Want to Talk About It.

Apparently this album was critically acclaimed. We really need a punch a rock critic day. Good Lord this was rubbish.

I don't understand. 1/5

3.3/5 Best Track: I Don't Want to Talk About It

Found it boring. Nice voice though

pallosissimo

This was an OK listen as was the other EBTG album that came up for me earlier but I don't see that there needed to be more than one of their albums on this list. I like the lead singer's voice, it's calming.

Une pop luxueuse et veloutée, portée par une voix splendide.

Loved it, heard of this band but never proper listened until now, made my day

One tearjerker is not enough ....

I mean it was decent but all the songs sounded the same. Sounded like ABBA and Fleetwood Mac but worse. Sax was pretty cool in some of the songs though.

So. Boring. Dollar Store Annie Lennox just doesn’t do it for me.

She has a beautiful voice, but I didn't enjoy most of the songs. Too slow for me. I liked the upbeat song 'Blue Moon Rose' 2/5

Lidt ostet 80’er pop

Not for me.

Etwas arg gleichmäßig

Angehm im Hintergrund zu hören. Mehr auch nicht.

Really enjoyed this trip down memory lane.

More like "Everything But Good Music". This album had to have been one of the ones they US government used to torture prisoners at Guantanamo. Just so laughably bad. The singing alone reminded me of those hopeful early American Idol contestants who are terrible singers. How did this make the cut!? 2/10.

Melodious album, bar music like "love is here where I live", typical 80's sound like "These early days". The album is still listenable, maybe a bit too good.

So boring

Why?

I never heard of this before, and I liked it.

Pretty solid. I was a fan. - 8/10

I feel like every song is decent or non offensive at the least. Overall, I enjoyed most of it. The female vocals are great, the male vocals are ok.

reading the wikipedia and its talking ab how the lyrics are more like short stories than pop songs w/ choruses... not super catchy bc of that but I very much enjoy the mellow energy and think the singing and music flows nicely, feel like listening again would make me like it more? I think this makes for excellent background music but in the sense that I want to listen to this as I am living... like I think it has much more redeeming qualities than the other albums I've thought of as background music (like the others feel like background music bc they aren't interesting enough to be listening music), it feels intentionally curated or sum, like a nice dinner to this sounds so classy chic, and as Kats would say, very much romantic. Also the perfect amount of stimulation for me to do homework while listening. also also, lydllwild is a place a bit north of San Diego and its mayor is a dog (https://www.mayormax.com/index.htm -- I've met him and Miley's met him too!) super awesome place for some hiking and just hanging out, ik this is called Idlewild but the association is there and brings more good energy. edited: this is one of my favorite albums ever I love it so much its amazing I have the entire album in my liked songs.

Super mid, not terrible but not sure why it made the list 5/10

7/10 - Interesting but not fantastic. I liked the vibe of the songs but they were not fitting my mood.

Nothing great but all decent 7/10

Weird but nice voice, pretty good album. 7.5/10

Not terrible, but I slept through most of it.

Dinner party music 2/5

almost hilariously generic ez listening 80s medium ballads with royalty free music accompaniment. The sound of browsing for Hallmark cards for Mother's day under bright florescent K-mart lights. That all being said, I didn't totally hate listening to this. I guess this is the Western version of Japanese Citypop 2.5/5

She has a nice voice but the 80s ballads and drum machine vibes are just hard to get through.

Not my style of music, most songs song exactly the same. Like background/montage music for an 80s rom-com.

Made me of think of the Robot Wars promo that said: and why is this on PBS?! ... IT'S BRITISH!

Nice smooth jazz pop! Had not heard this album and was pleasantly surprised.

Was a breath of fresh air in college radio days. Still sounds light and airy, and perfectly lovely most of the time, if a bit sleepy in the middle. One gets arguments about its slightness but feels lightly elevated. “Goodbye Sunday” is a long-forgotten old fave and a seriously underrated track. Interesting that such modest beginnings ended in clubby success on a global scale. The modesty was more effective. Basically smooth jazz, with skilled vocals from a singer with a lovely, lovely voice, one of the best of late 20th century. 3.6 > 4

Nice - never heard of the group but it has a nice sound.

This album didn't thrill me. There must be a reason it's top 1000, but I didn't hear it.

Nice to be high to

Kinda sounds like something my mom would've listened to, but it's also kinda boring. Didn't feel very groundbreaking or new

Heard that Prefab Sprout magic in there.

This is 80s music in its worst possible form. I'd rather listen to A-ha for 10 hours straight.

Forventa nåke anna. Falt ikkje i smak diverre

Enjoyed the two listens. Second album from the group on this list, and I enjoyed it overall. It sounds very much like 80's pop. Great singing, but not something I would listen to regularly. 3/5!

Listened Before? N This was pretty meh. Very slow and soft. I wasn't a big fan. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: I Don't Want to Talk About It

Generally horrible.

I am a fan of EBTG, but they were doing much more interesting stuff in the 90s. This is *fine*, but never really grabbed me

Nice long visit to the hairdresser. I like Tracy Thorn's voice but it does wear a bit thin when there's so little diversity here.

Good album! After listening, I was shocked to see how poorly this album is rated, I don’t understand the hate.

3.5/5

Sophisti-pop classic. Makes me think of sitting in my orthodontist's waiting room as a teenager. Not the best association.

Dentist office reception area music Very forgettable

boring. couldn't wait till the end.

Okay. Real talk. How does a group like this get signed? There is no bar for a talent scout to see them perform. There is no demo where someone would hear this and want to pay for more. And this is the FOURTH record by them! Additionally, who was like, yeah, 4th record, let's just use the beats that come out of the Casio keyboard we bought for $100 that's meant to teach children how to play piano. This record sucks. It's not even good elevator or dentist office music. It's total shit. 11 songs in btw. They choose to use a real guitar and some Hammond organ and bongos. They waited 11 so gs to use real

Nope. Not for me. Slow, boring, don't like her voice. Snooze fest.

Sykt digg å høre på 4.5

Sounds like falling in love in your 70s on a cruise ship

It’s not that interesting to me, sorry.

I was very surprised listening to this album.. I was not ready for something like this, but I loved it. I could see myself slow dancing to this with my girlfriend, or a soundtrack to a nice evening out, or even on vinyl while I'm cleaning or cooking on a rainy sunday afternoon. It almost gave me cranberries vibes and I think thats why I liked it so much. My favorite songs 'Oxford Street' and 'I Was Always Your Girl'. I'm sure it was around the same time Dolores was coming up. Anyways, big fan of this album. Overall: 3.6/5

Good voice, but all in all pretty lame.

4 tracks in and it's doing nothing for me. Pure pop with a crap drum machine. 8 tracks in and simply bored. Finished the album. A definite 1.

3.75