The Beat Surrender

I always felt that Idlewild got a bit of a raw deal of things myself and in Roddy Woomble they had a really talented singer with a great voice that was both distinctive and melodic.

With Idlewild seemingly no more Woomble has taken to a solo career that hopefully should offer plenty. My Secret Is Silence served notice of his intent, but for me that is surpassed by his quickly put together collaboration album Before The Ruin, on which you get Kris Drever and John McCusker as well guest appearances from Francis MacDonald and Phil Selway on drums and Norman Blake on vocals.

The fact that so many protagonists are itching to be involved in the vocals (although Woomble takes the most) means that things are mixed up and kept fresh throughout, the overall feel of the album is certainly one of Scottish folk, but ultimately it’s a warm and hazy glow that shines around each of these delightful tracks.