The Remote Part

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox album | name = The Remote Part | type = [[Album]] | artist = [[Idlewild (band)|Idlewild]] | cover = Theremotepart.jpg | alt = A black-and-white drawing of a boy against a brown background | released = 15 July 2002 | recorded = * January–February 2001 * September–December 2001 | studio = {{flatlist| * [[Linford Manor]], [[Milton Keynes]] * [[Rockfield Studios|Rockfield]], Wales * [[Sawmills Studios|Sawmills]], Cornwall * [[RAK Studios|RAK]], London }} | genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[indie rock]]}} | length = 38:14 | label = [[Parlophone]] | producer = {{hlist|[[Dave Eringa]]|[[Stephen Street]]|Guy Massey}} | prev_title = [[100 Broken Windows]] | prev_year = 2000 | next_title = [[Warnings/Promises]] | next_year = 2005 | misc = {{Singles | name = The Remote Part | type = album | single1 = You Held the World in Your Arms | single1date = 15 April 2002 | single2 = American English | single2date = 1 July 2002 | single3 = Live in a Hiding Place | single3date = 21 October 2002 | single4 = A Modern Way of Letting Go | single4date = 10 February 2003 }} }} '''''The Remote Part''''' is the third studio album by Scottish [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Idlewild (band)|Idlewild]], released on 15 July 2002 by [[Parlophone]]. As they were becoming increasingly aware of their label's interest in them and their demos, the band's musical direction was being steered by guitarist [[Rod Jones (musician)|Rod Jones]]. For the first half of 2001, the band recorded songs with producers [[Stephen Street]] and [[Lenny Kaye]]. Due to the uneven nature of the songs done between tours, they spent some time reworking 20 tracks in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. They recorded at [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales, [[RAK Studios]] in London, and [[Sawmills Studios]] in Cornwall with producer [[Dave Eringa]]. Described as an [[alternative rock]] and [[indie rock]] record, it lacked the [[punk rock]] elements of their previous work.

Bookending two UK tours, "You Held the World in Your Arms" was released as the album's [[lead single]] on 15 April 2002. The second and third singles "American English" and "Live in a Hiding Place" were released on 1 July and 21 October 2002, respectively. During a stint of Europe, bassist [[Bob Fairfoull]] left the band, and was temporarily replaced by technician [[Desalvo (band)|Alex Grant]]. They then supported [[Coldplay]] on their tours of the UK and Europe. In November 2002, Gavin Fox of [[Turn (band)|Turn]] and touring guitarist [[Allan Stewart (musician)|Allan Stewart]] joined as official members. Two further tours of the UK followed in late 2002 and early 2003; they then went on a headlining US tour, before supporting [[Pearl Jam]] in that territory for two months.

''The Remote Part'' received universal acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]], some of whom praised the band's energy and songwriting. The album peaked at number two in Scotland, and number three in the UK, as well as charting in France and Ireland. It would later be certified gold in the UK. All of the songs appeared within the top 30 of the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish]] and [[UK Singles Chart]]s, with "You Held the World in Your Arms" charting the highest at number four in the former, and number nine in the latter.

==Background and writing== Idlewild released their second studio album ''[[100 Broken Windows]]'' in April 2000, which was produced by [[Dave Eringa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-79-1395963|title=Idlewild to Play Instore for Free|work=NME|date=29 March 2000|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705121710/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-79-1395963|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Passing19/> It peaked at number 15 in the UK, while all of its four singles appeared on the [[UK Singles Chart]], with "Actually It's Darkness" reaching the highest at number 23.<ref name=UKhistory>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4007/idlewild/|title=Idlewild {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=5 July 2021|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628032150/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4007/idlewild/|url-status=live}}</ref> With the making of the album, the band became aware of how invested their record label was with the band, and their feedback in regards to demos. Frontman [[Roddy Woomble]] acknowledged that the band had been working towards anthemic tracks, and was confident they would pull them off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/idlewild-rank-your-records-/|title=Rank Your Records: Idlewild Rank Their Seven Records|work=Vice|author=Pearlman, Mischa|date=29 October 2015|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108120704/https://www.vice.com/en/article/r3z7j3/idlewild-rank-your-records-|url-status=live}}</ref>

They promoted ''100 Broken Windows'' with a UK tour, a supporting slot for [[Muse (band)|Muse]] on their headlining European tour, and appearances at the [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]], [[T in the Park]] and [[Witnness]] festivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-84-1398991|title=Idlewild – Actually, It's a Single and Tour|work=NME|date=24 February 2000|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705122014/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-84-1398991|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-76-1395146|title=Idlewild Gig – Actually, It's Free!|work=NME|date=5 April 2000|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206011213/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-76-1395146|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-85-1399069|title=Idlewild's Highland Fling|work=NME|date=6 July 2000|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705122635/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-85-1399069|url-status=live}}</ref> Woomble noted that the band felt like "a collective of songwriters" during the writing process for the next album. He credits guitarist [[Rod Jones (musician)|Rod Jones]] with influencing their musical direction, stating that Jones "really started to take steps forward in terms of his guitar playing, and also his harmonies".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dis11.herokuapp.com/in_depth/1660381-rediscover--idlewild|title=ReDiScover: Idlewild / In Depth|work=[[Drowned in Sound]]|author=Diver, Mike|date=23 February 2007|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131081055/http://dis11.herokuapp.com/in_depth/1660381-rediscover--idlewild|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2000, the band debuted three songs during a hometown show, all three of which leaned towards a [[1980s in music|1980s sound]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-92-1390918|title=Idlewild Seize the Day|work=NME|date=25 August 2000|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705122559/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-92-1390918|url-status=live}}</ref> further material was aired during a UK tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenitmustbetrue.com/idlewild/idlewild.html|title=Idlewild|publisher=Then It Must Be True|date=March 2001|access-date=5 February 2024|archive-date=9 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509070649/http://www.thenitmustbetrue.com/idlewild/idlewild.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Production== In January and February 2001, Idlewild had recorded seven songs with producer [[Stephen Street]] at [[Linford Manor]] in [[Milton Keynes]], prior to a tour of the United States in March and April 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-82-1397965|title=In Rod We Trust!|work=NME|date=31 January 2001|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705122411/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-82-1397965|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-93-1390847|title=Red Letterman Day for Idlewild|work=NME|date=28 February 2001|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705122437/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-93-1390847|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Passing14>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 14</ref> They then supported [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]] on their US tour in April and May 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1442281/placebo-to-launch-north-american-tour-with-idlewild/|title=Placebo To Launch North American Tour With Idlewild|work=MTV|date=29 March 2001|access-date=15 July 2021|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115013721/http://www.mtv.com/news/1442281/placebo-to-launch-north-american-tour-with-idlewild/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Idlewild were unhappy with the material with they did with Street and decided to start again; Woomble said Parlophone were not satisfied with the results.<ref name=Passing14/><ref name=neumureview>{{cite web|url=http://neumu.net/fortyfour/2002/2002-00213/2002-00213_fortyfour.shtml|title=Idlewild The Remote Part|work=[[Neumu]]|author=Gozdecki, Steve|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414041213/http://neumu.net/fortyfour/2002/2002-00213/2002-00213_fortyfour.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> They spent a day with producer [[Lenny Kaye]], who Woomble found to be very enthusiastic about the material they had, in Brooklyn, New York City rearranging the songs.<ref name=Passing17>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 17</ref> They then recorded at Magic Studios in New York City with Kaye over the course of a week in June 2001; by this point, they had nine tracks in total.<ref name=NMEextra>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-49-1382705|title=Extra Wild!|work=NME|date=21 June 2001|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123224/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-49-1382705|url-status=live}}</ref> Woomble said Kaye was helped in his development as a songwriter, as Kaye aiding him in focusing on his lyrics, which no prior producer assisted in.<ref name=neumureview/>

By the end of June 2001, they had returned to the UK, and were mixing the material they did with Street at Townhouse in London.<ref name=Passing17/> They were scheduled to tour the US again in July and August 2001; however, due to Jones requiring hospitalisation for three weeks for an unspecified injury, it was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-74-1378675|title=Idlewild Idle!|work=NME|date=10 July 2001|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184632/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-74-1378675|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2001, they spent two and a half weeks writing and re-doing 20 songs at a cottage in [[Inchnadamph]], located in the [[Scottish Highlands]].<ref name=neumureview/><ref name=NMEfling>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-61-1371725|title=Idlewild's Highland Fling|work=NME|date=7 March 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123041/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-61-1371725|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Passing18>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 18</ref> Following appearances at the [[V Festival|V]] and Gig on the Green festivals that same month, the band continued working.<ref name=NMEextra/> Ten of the songs they had at this stage "weren't fitting together", according to Woomble, due to being recorded in between separate tours.<ref name=NMEfling/> [[EMI]], who owned Palophone, approved of the demos they had done and allowed them to restart the album with Eringa as the producer. Following this, they practiced in Edinburgh, before traveling down to Wales in September 2001.<ref name=Passing19>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 19</ref>

The band and Eringa recorded at [[Rockfield Studios]] in [[Monmouthshire]], Wales; sessions progressed slowly, and by the end of the month, Parlophone were still not content with the results.<ref name=Passing20>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 20</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-72-1377980|title=These Budding Ideas|work=NME|date=6 October 2001|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184701/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-72-1377980|url-status=live}}</ref> In October and November 2001, they recorded at [[Sawmills Studios]] in Cornwall; Woomble said these sessions "need[ed] to matter [...] People expect something from us, and yet we never seem to be able to convince them".<ref name=Passing20/><ref name=Passing22>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 22</ref> Following this, they went to London, where they recorded at [[RAK Studios]] in December 2001.<ref name=Passing22/> After a brief break at home for Christmas, they returned to RAK in January 2002; it was during this period that Parlophone finally gave the band their approval.<ref name=Passing23>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 23</ref> Eringa, with engineer Guy Massey, produced nearly all of the final recordings on the album; him and Massey produced "Live in a Hiding Place" together, while Street produced "Tell Me Ten Words" while [[Cenzo Townshend]] as engineer.<ref name=TRPbooklet/> Sixteen tracks were recorded in total across all of the studios.<ref name=Collectionbooklet/> Eringa mixed all of the recordings in January 2002 with assistant [[Dan Grech-Marguerat]], prior to the album being mastered by [[Howie Weinberg]] at Masterdisk in New York City the following month.<ref name=DISannounce>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/3226.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030716080356/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/3226.html|title=Idlewild: More Tour Dates & Release Details|work=Drowned in Sound|date=27 February 2002|archivedate=16 July 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=TRPbooklet/>

==Composition and lyrics== Musically, the sound of ''The Remote Part'' has been described as [[alternative rock]] and [[indie rock]],<ref name=TMTreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/idlewild-remote-part|title=Idlewild – The Remote Part {{!}} Music Review|work=[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]|author=Wyatt|date=14 December 2006|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018050315/http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/idlewild-remote-part|url-status=live}}</ref> with influence from [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Joni Mitchell]], and [[Red House Painters]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/reviews/facts/music/revid/0,1107,2919,00.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030402041237/https://www.eonline.com/reviews/facts/music/revid/0,1107,2919,00.html|title=Music – Idlewild 'The Remote Part'|work=E! Online|archivedate=2 April 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> Its big sound was compared to that of ''[[Out of Time (album)|Out of Time]]'' (1991) by [[R.E.M.]]<ref name=PLreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.playlouder.com/review/+570idlewild/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120060933/http://www.playlouder.com/review/+570idlewild/|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part (2002) review|publisher=[[Playlouder]]|date=12 July 2002|archivedate=20 November 2006|accessdate=9 November 2021}}</ref> It lacked any of the [[punk rock]] traits of the band's previous releases, utilizing more layers of vocals and guitars, alongside the addition of keyboards and strings.<ref name=TMTreview/><ref name=NYTready>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/18/movies/the-next-is-ready-for-here-and-now.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226201049/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/18/movies/the-next-is-ready-for-here-and-now.html|title='The Next' Is Ready For 'Here and Now'|work=The New York Times|author=Lindgren, Hugo|date=18 July 2003|archivedate=26 February 2021|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/idlewild-remote_part|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705144355/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/idlewild-remote_part|title=Idlewild The Remote Part|work=[[Exclaim!]]|author=Ursi, Marco|date=1 April 2003|archivedate=5 July 2021|accessdate=12 November 2021}}</ref> Discussing the album's title, Woomble said it came up during a conversation with [[poet laureate]] [[Edwin Morgan (poet)|Edwin Morgan]]; it was originally named ''Scottish Fiction'' and then ''Living in Fiction'', before being christened ''The Remote Part''.<ref name=NMEfling/><ref>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, pp. 17, 24</ref> Jones said they had planned to make a [[double album]], where all of the electric songs would be on the first half and all the acoustic ones would be on the second part, though he was unsure as to when this idea was dropped.<ref>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 28</ref> He considered the time they spent in Inchnadamph to be important to the development of their style, embracing the pop sensibility of their sound, which he said was always present albeit in a reduced manner.<ref>Woomble; Johnson; Kasparis 2022, p. 29</ref>

The album's opening track, "You Held the World in Your Arms", features a string arrangement by [[Banderas (duo)|Sally Herbert]], and a synthesizer.<ref name=neumureview/><ref name=TRPbooklet/> It was the first song the band had written when they were in the Scottish Highlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324094590509555714|title=Roddy Woomble on Twitter: 'World – We wrote much of the album in a cottage in Sutherland, way...'|publisher=[[Twitter]]|author=Woomble, Roddy|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104210217/https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324094590509555714|url-status=live}}</ref> The song initially lacked the instrumental section that opened it, instead beginning with the slow verse. After some feedback from the label, Eringa attached the chorus as the opening part.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveEringa/status/1324094803005607944|title=Dave Eringa on Twitter: 'We actually recorded this one without the instrumental chorus at...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Eringa, Dave|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104210311/https://twitter.com/DaveEringa/status/1324094803005607944|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[power pop]] track "A Modern Way of Letting Go" was compared to the work of the [[Foo Fighters]] and echoed the band's roots.<ref name=neumureview/><ref name=CWASreview>{{cite web|url=https://cwas.hinah.com/webexclusive/?id=143|title=Idlewild {{!}} The Remote Part (Parlophone)|work=[[Comes with a Smile]]|author=Arnold, Laurence|date=August 2002|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617163525/https://cwas.hinah.com/webexclusive/?id=143|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundthesirens.com/idlewild-the-remote-part/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709192543/https://soundthesirens.com/idlewild-the-remote-part/|title=Idlewild – The Remote Part|publisher=Soundthesirens|author=Ho, Billy|date=2 August 2002|archivedate=9 July 2021|accessdate=21 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> It was Woomble's attempt at "deconstruct[ing] the idea of a rock song in a rock song".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324095572622610433|title=Roddy Woomble on Twitter: 'This is me trying to deconstruct the idea of a rock song in a...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Woomble, Roddy|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104210625/https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324095572622610433|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[U2]]-esque ballad "American English" uses acoustic guitarwork and piano.<ref name=neumureview/><ref name=NYTready/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/critical-guide-the-review-yearning-for-the-big-stage-68kgckk09qk|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210709082654/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/critical-guide-the-review-yearning-for-the-big-stage-68kgckk09qk|title=Critical guide: The review: Yearning for the big stage|work=[[The Times]]|author=Devine, Rachel|date=9 February 2003|archive-date=9 July 2021|access-date=9 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> When first working on the song with Kaye, it lasted for longer and featured a spoken-word portion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324095927288799232|title=Roddy Woomble on Twitter: 'American – first version we recorded with Lenny Kaye in New...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Woomble, Roddy|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104210755/https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324095927288799232|url-status=live}}</ref> It is about American poet [[Walt Whitman]], the role an author can play in their song, and how meanings can be distorted.<ref name=Collectionbooklet/>

"I Never Wanted", co-written between the band, previous guitarist [[Jeremy Mills]], and touring guitarist [[Allan Stewart (musician)|Allan Stewart]], is a mid-tempo ballad that is reminiscent of ''[[The Soft Bulletin]]'' (1999)-era [[Flaming Lips]].<ref name=TRPbooklet/><ref name=PMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/i/idlewild-remote.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030311064253/https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/i/idlewild-remote.shtml|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|work=PopMatters|author=Begrand, Adrien|date=6 March 2003|archivedate=11 March 2003|accessdate=9 July 2021}}</ref> The [[Ash (band)|Ash]]-indebted "(I Am) What I Am Not" was influenced by the writing of [[Fernando Pessoa]] in his book ''[[The Book of Disquiet]]'' (1982).<ref name=TACreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2003-03-14/149241/|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part Album Review – Music|work=The Austin Chronicle|author=Gray, Christopher|date=14 March 2003|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521114856/https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2003-03-14/149241/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324098589912608768|title=Roddy Woomble on Twitter: 'i am not – one of our best rock songs I reckon – I discovered...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Woomble, Roddy|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104211817/https://twitter.com/RoddyWoomble/status/1324098589912608768|url-status=live}}</ref> "Live in a Hiding Place" is an acoustic track with piano during the chorus sections.<ref name=PMreview/> "Out of Routine" was originally titled "Ceilidh Hard", which was named after "[[Party Hard (Andrew W.K. song)|Party Hard]]" (2001) by [[Andrew W.K.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RodJonesMusic/status/1324099362985828359|title=Rod Jones on Twitter: 'this was unofficially called "ceilidh hard{{Double+single}}|publisher=Twitter|author=Jones, Rod|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104212119/https://twitter.com/RodJonesMusic/status/1324099362985828359|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveEringa/status/1324099426735005698|title=Dave Eringa on Twitter: 'Yes!!!! The working title was Ceileigh Hard after Andrew...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Eringa, Dave|date=4 November 2020|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104212143/https://twitter.com/DaveEringa/status/1324099426735005698|url-status=live}}</ref> "Century After Century" is a mid-tempo song; "Tell Me Ten Words" evokes the sound of R.E.M., and opens with a [[Country music|country]]-like guitar intro.<ref name=CWASreview/><ref name=PMreview/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/idlewild-the-remote-part-1798192864|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|author=Thompson, Stephen|date=25 March 2002|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182732/https://www.avclub.com/idlewild-the-remote-part-1798192864|url-status=live}}</ref> "Stay the Same" is a [[hard rock]] song.<ref name=PMreview/> The album's closing track "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction" ends with a spoken-word narrative from Morgan about the band's Scottish identity.<ref name=NMEfling/> When first contacting Morgan, Woomble had sent him a letter where he told him of his admiration for Morgan's work.<ref name=SPGMTN/> Woomble had been a fan of Morgan's since his teenage years, and detailed identity and belonging in his letter.<ref name=BTLD>{{cite book|last1=McGonigal|first1=James|title=Beyond the Last Dragon: A Life of Edwin Morgan|date=2011|publisher=Sandstone Press Limited|isbn=9781908737014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=enf3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT426|access-date=2021-07-09|archive-date=2021-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073317/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Beyond_the_Last_Dragon/enf3DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT426|url-status=live}}</ref> Morgan replied with his own letter, which concluded with a poem that ended up becoming "Scottish Fiction".<ref name=SPGMTN>{{cite book|last1=Aji|first1=Hélène|last2=Kilgore-Caradec|first2=Jennifer|title=Selected Poems: From Modernism to Now|date=2013|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|location=Newcastle upon Tyne|isbn=978-1443845847|page=199|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_L0wBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA119|access-date=2021-07-09|archive-date=2021-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073325/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Selected_Poems/_L0wBwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA119|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release== On 27 February 2002, ''The Remote Part'' was announced for release in five months' time.<ref name=NMEso/> They went on a short tour of the United Kingdom a week later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/news/February2002/news23793.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602030003/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/news/February2002/news23793.asp|title=Idlewid Live|work=[[Dotmusic]]|date=6 February 2002|archivedate=2 June 2002|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> They embarked on a longer UK tour April and May 2002.<ref name=NMEso>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-62-1373211|title=Not So Idle!|work=NME|date=27 February 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123056/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-62-1373211|url-status=live}}</ref> They appeared at [[T in the Park]] and [[Glastonbury Festival]].<ref name=NMEparty/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/reviews/June2002/reviews25568.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030107060549/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/reviews/June2002/reviews25568.asp|title=Idlewid – Other Stage, Glastonbury|work=Dotmusic|date=28 June 2002|archivedate=7 January 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> ''The Remote Part'' was released on 15 July 2002 through Parlophone.<ref name=NMErelease>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-60-1371194|title='Remote' Chance to See Idlewild for Free|work=NME|date=4 July 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123048/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-60-1371194|url-status=live}}</ref> The concept for the artwork was done by Woomble; it consists of an image from the film ''My Way Home'' (1978), which was provided by the [[British Film Institute]].<ref name=TRPbooklet/> The liner notes include the phrase "support your local poet", to which Woomble explained it was satire as they had been "tagged as this 'lyrical/poetic' band".<ref name=LMinterview>{{cite web|url=https://lollipopmagazine.com/2003/06/idlewild-the-remote-part-interview/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909154426/https://lollipopmagazine.com/2003/06/idlewild-the-remote-part-interview/|title=Idlewild – The Remote Part – Interview|work=Lollipop Magazine|author=Den, Tim|date=13 June 2006|archive-date=9 September 2021|access-date=9 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> It was promoted with in-store performances and signings at [[Virgin Megastores UK|Virgin Megastores]].<ref name=NMErelease/>

Following this, the band appeared at V festival in August 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-53-1384538|title=Idlewild Join NME Stage|work=NME|date=27 July 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123438/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-53-1384538|url-status=live}}</ref> In September and October 2002, the band went on a tour of Europe. On 1 October 2002, it was announced that bassist [[Bob Fairfoull]] had left the band, and was temporarily replaced by bass technician [[Desalvo (band)|Alex Grant]].<ref name=NMEout>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-69-1376302|title=Idlewild Bassist Out of Band|work=NME|date=1 October 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185009/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-69-1376302|url-status=live}}</ref> Fairfoull, who later joined [[Degrassi (band)|Degrassi]], reportedly quit the band following a fight with Woomble; he did not like the direction the band's music was going in.<ref name=NYTready/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5781.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030715144650/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5781.html|title=Bob Fairfoull reveals new band|work=Drowned in Sound|date=27 January 2003|archivedate=15 July 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> For the rest of the month, the band supported [[Coldplay]] on their UK arena tour and then in Europe.<ref name=NMEhome>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-67-1375791|title=Home Boys|work=NME|date=4 October 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123349/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-67-1375791|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-66-1375683|title=Idlewild Fans Mount 'Bring Back Bob' Campaign|work=NME|date=5 October 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409020427/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-66-1375683|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 November 2002, it was announced that Gavin Fox of [[Turn (band)|Turn]] would permanently fill Fairfoull's role. Alongside this, Stewart, who had been part of the band's crew, became their full-time guitarist.<ref name=NMEturn/>

In spite of Fox's addition, Grant still continued on bass through to the band's December 2002 UK tour, which was supported by [[the Walkmen]] and labelmates [[the Star Spangles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-54-1384645|title=Idlewild Reveal New Line-Up|work=NME|date=3 December 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123801/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-54-1384645|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/south_yorkshire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127104052/http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/music/2002/12/idlewild_2.shtml|title=Idlewild: Dedication's what you need...|publisher=BBC|author=Allen, Victoria|date=December 2002|archive-date=27 January 2005|url-status=live|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5533.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817083325/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5533.html|title=Idlewild: More Dates Than an OAP-Party|work=Drowned in Sound|date=29 September 2003|archivedate=17 August 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref> In January and February 2003, the band went on another tour of the UK, leading up to a performance at the 2003 [[NME Awards]].<ref name=NMEturn>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-57-1369748|title=Idlewild Turn to Fox!|work=NME|date=20 November 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113010459/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-57-1369748|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-52-1383878|title=Idlewild, Nas Join NME Awards Shows Line-Up|work=NME|date=11 December 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184637/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-52-1383878|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this, they embarked on a tour of Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-50-1383162|title=The Idlewild Fanclub!|work=NME|date=18 December 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123716/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-50-1383162|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Remote Part'' was released in the US by [[Capitol Records]] on 25 March 2003; fans were given a promotional EP that featured "You Held the World in Your Arms", "The Nothing I Know", "Everything Flows" and a live version of "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction".<ref name=CMJretail>Hart 2003, p. 40</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Idlewild|others=Idlewild|date=2003|type=sleeve|publisher=Capitol Records|id=DPRO 7087 6 17897 2 0}}</ref> The band went on a headlining tour of that territory in the same month, appeared at [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella]], and had a supporting slot for [[Pearl Jam]] on their US arena tour in May and June 2003.<ref name=CMJretail/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-50-1383162|title=The Idlewild Fanclub!|work=NME|date=30 January 2003|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123716/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-50-1383162|url-status=live}}</ref> During this trek, the band performed on ''[[Last Call with Carson Daly]]'' and ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5984/bands-on-tv-week-of-5-5-03|title=Bands on TV – week of 5/5/03|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=5 May 2003|accessdate=5 March 2021|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073358/https://www.punknews.org/article/5984/bands-on-tv-week-of-5-5-03|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/6620/bands-on-tv-week-of-7-21-03|title=Bands on TV – week of 7/21/03|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=21 July 2003|accessdate=10 March 2021|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073318/https://www.punknews.org/article/6620/bands-on-tv-week-of-7-21-03|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon afterwards, the band performed at the Glastonbury, Move, [[FM4 Frequency Festival|Frequency]] and [[T in the Park]] festivals.<ref name=CMJretail/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6453.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030916015838/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6453.html|title=Idlewild, The Darkness and others added to T in the Park 10th anniversary bill|work=Drowned in Sound|date=19 March 2003|archivedate=16 September 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6797.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030901154338/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6797.html|title=Glasto: Alert! Alert! Good Bands!|work=Drowned in Sound|date=28 April 2003|archivedate=1 September 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref>

===Singles=== "You Held the World in Your Arms" was released as a single on 15 April 2002.<ref name=NMEso/> Two versions were released on CD: the first with "All This Information", "No Generation", and the music video for "You Held the World in Your Arms", while the second included "A Distant History" and "I Was Made to Think It".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="You Held the World in Your Arms"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 550781 0 0/CDRS 6575}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="You Held the World in Your Arms"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 550782 2 3/CDR 6575}}</ref> The "You Held the World in Your Arms" music video was posted on ''[[Dotmusic]]'' four days later; it was directed by Sam Arthur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/news/April2002/news24746.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030120072230/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Idlewild/news/April2002/news24746.asp|title=New Idlewid Video|work=Dotmusic|date=19 April 2002|archivedate=20 January 2003|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=SFbooklet/> "American English" was released as a single on 1 July 2002.<ref name=NMEparty>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-71-1376897|title='Wild Party!|work=NME|date=24 May 2002|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705123001/https://www.nme.com/news/music/idlewild-71-1376897|url-status=live}}</ref> Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Poor Thing", "These Are Just Years", and the music video for "American English" (directed by Alex Smith), while the second featured "The Nothing I Know" and "We Always Have to Impress".<ref name=SFbooklet/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="American English"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 5 51054 0 0/CDRS 6582}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="American English"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 551054 2 4/CDR 6582}}</ref>

"Live in a Hiding Place" was released as a single on 21 October 2002.<ref name=NMEout/> Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Great Times Wasted", "Everything Flows", and the music video for "Live in a Hiding Place" (directed by [[Wim Wenders]]), while the second included "I Found That Essence Rare", and a live version of "I'm Happy to Be Here Tonight".<ref name=SFbooklet/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Live in a Hiding Place"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=7243 5 51507 0 7/CDRS 6587}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Live in a Hiding Place"|others=Idlewild|date=2002|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6587/7243 5 51507 2 1}}</ref> "A Modern Way of Letting Go" was released as a single on 10 February 2003.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="A Modern Way of Letting Go"|others=Idlewild|date=2003|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDRDJ 6598}}</ref> The CD version included versions of "A Modern Way of Letting Go" and "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction", while the DVD edition featured audio of a radio session version of "(I Am) What I Am Not", the music video for "A Modern Way of Letting Go" (directed by Smith), and footage of the band in New York City.<ref name=SFbooklet/><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="A Modern Way of Letting Go"|others=Idlewild|date=2003|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6598/7243 5 51962 2 4}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="A Modern Way of Letting Go"|others=Idlewild|date=2003|type=sleeve|publisher=Parlophone|id=DVDR 6598/7243 4 90398 9 6}}</ref> "A Modern Way of Letting Go" was released to [[Alternative Airplay|modern rock]] radio stations in the US in June 2003.<ref name=CMJretail/>

===Full-album performances and related releases=== ''The Remote Part'' was played in full in December 2008 at [[King Tut's Wah Wah Hut]] in Glasgow as part of a series of shows where the band performed all of their albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4135853-disection--idlewild-hope-is-important-track-by-track|title=DiSection: Idlewild Hope Is Important track-by-track / In Depth|work=[[Drowned in Sound]]|author=Webb, Rob|date=26 November 2008|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618081230/https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4135853-disection--idlewild-hope-is-important-track-by-track|url-status=dead}}</ref> They performed it again across a few shows in 2017 and 2018, one of which featured Fairfoull.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/96596-idlewild-announce-the-remote-part-anniversary-shows/|title=Idlewild announce The Remote Part anniversary shows|work=The List|date=17 October 2017|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185016/https://www.list.co.uk/article/96596-idlewild-announce-the-remote-part-anniversary-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/96990-idlewild-announce-london-date-for-the-remote-parts-15th-anniversary-find-out-how-to-get-tickets/|title=Idlewild announce London date for The Remote Part's 15th anniversary, find out how to get tickets|work=The List|author=Angus, Craig|date=20 October 2017|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930195118/https://www.list.co.uk/article/96990-idlewild-announce-london-date-for-the-remote-parts-15th-anniversary-find-out-how-to-get-tickets/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Skinnyreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/idlewild-summerhall-edinburgh-21-jun|title=Idlewild live review: Summerhall, Edinburgh, 21 Jun|work=The Skinny|author=Sefton, Max|date=25 June 2018|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182526/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/idlewild-summerhall-edinburgh-21-jun|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released as a two-CD package with their ''100 Broken Windows'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=100 Broken Windows / The Remote Part|others=Idlewild|year=2011|type=sleeve|publisher=[[EMI]]|id=5099968071721}}</ref> "You Held the World in Your Arms", "American English", "A Modern Way of Letting Go", "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction", and "Live in a Hiding Place" were included on the band's first compilation album, ''Scottish Fiction: Best of 1997–2007'' (2007), alongside the music videos for all of the album's singles.<ref name=SFbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Scottish Fiction: Best of 1997–2007|others=Idlewild|year=2007|type=booklet|publisher=Parlophone|id=50999 5 06427 2 4/506 4272}}</ref> "A Modern Way of Letting Go", "American English", and a live version of "American English" were included on the band's third compilation album, ''The Collection'' (2010).<ref name=Collectionbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Collection|others=Idlewild|year=2010|type=booklet|publisher=EMI|id=5099963186727}}</ref>

==Reception== {{Album ratings | MC = 83/100<ref name=Metacritic>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-remote-part/idlewild/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for The Remote Part|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=10 June 2019|archive-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206023342/http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-remote-part/idlewild/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=AMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-remote-part-mw0000021279|title=The Remote Part – Idlewild|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Wilson|first=MacKenzie|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601183453/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-remote-part-mw0000021279|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=Blenderreview>{{cite journal|url=http://www.blender.com/reviews/review_335.htm|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|issue=15|date=April 2003|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Donohue|first=John|page=124|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614102824/http://www.blender.com/reviews/review_335.html|archivedate=14 June 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | rev3Score = A−<ref name=EWreview>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/03/21/remote-part/|title=The Remote Part|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=21 March 2003|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Raftery|first=Brian M.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012110925/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/21/remote-part|archivedate=12 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Guardianreview>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/jul/12/popandrock.artsfeatures1|title=Idlewild, The Remote Part|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 July 2002|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Simpson|first=Dave|archive-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909165637/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/jul/12/popandrock.artsfeatures1|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[NME]]'' | rev5Score = 9/10<ref name=NMEreview>{{cite journal|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/idlewild/6531|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|journal=[[NME]]|date=4 July 2002|accessdate=7 March 2012|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Beaumont (journalist)|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208152949/http://www.nme.com/reviews/idlewild/6531|archivedate=8 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev6Score = 6.5/10<ref name=PFreview>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/4061-the-remote-part/|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=11 September 2002|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Mitchum|first=Rob|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027205653/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/4061-the-remote-part/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=193|date=August 2002|page=128}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=RSreview>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/271202/the_remote_part|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=15 May 2003|accessdate=7 March 2012|last=Fields|first=Gaylord|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001011247/https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/271202/the_remote_part|archivedate=1 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' | rev9Score = B−<ref name=Spinreview>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPg1GS3vHxEC&pg=PA102|title=Idlewild: The Remote Part|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=19|issue=6|date=June 2003|accessdate=10 June 2019|last=Beaujon|first=Andrew|pages=102, 105|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073318/https://books.google.com/books?id=GPg1GS3vHxEC&pg=PA102|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[USA Today]]'' | rev10Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Idlewild, The Remote Part|work=[[USA Today]]|date=1 April 2003|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|author-link=Edna Gundersen}}</ref> }} ''The Remote Part'' was met with universal acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 83, based on 20 reviews.<ref name=Metacritic/>

John Donohue of ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' said that the band could not use "goonish rockers" as a pretence anymore as their "romantic natures have taken over, to great effect". He added that the band "show their true smarts by continuing to attack every track with youthful energy and passion".<ref name=Blenderreview/> Chris Long for [[BBC Music|BBC Manchester Music]] noted that there was "moments when you think the band's fallen into only being able to write fast rock or slow ballad, and there's nothing in-between, [...] but it never lasts long enough to offend".<ref name=BBCMMreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/2002/07/15/remote_part.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030609195527/http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/music/2002/07/15/remote_part.shtml|title=The Coral – The Coral|publisher=[[BBC Music|BBC Manchester Music]]|author=Long, Chris|date=15 July 2002|archivedate=9 June 2003|access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] reviewer MacKenzie Wilson wrote that the band had found what they were looking for: "a beautiful calmness and a comfortable spot to reflect upon – and The Remote Part flawlessly does the job". She added that it was "obvious" based on their earlier material that the band were "headed to this point in their career".<ref name=AMreview/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'s}} Brian M. Raftery found the album to be a "perfectly fine collection of emotive, big-ambition British rock songs".<ref name=EWreview/>

In a review for ''[[NME]]'', [[Mark Beaumont (journalist)|Mark Beaumont]] saw the album as a "bold, bright, broken and bitter beast" that showcases a band that "burst out of their student-sheep’s clothing and rip the throat out of Coldplay".<ref name=NMEreview/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reviewer Gaylord Fields said the band "ratchet up the latent R.E.M.-isms, elevating themselves heads above their musical kin".<ref name=RSreview/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' contributor Rob Mitchum saw the album's potential for "alt-rock hits [...] where each and every song could be a single".<ref name=PFreview/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' music correspondent Dave Simpson noted that the album was "musically anthemic but lyrically introspective".<ref name=Guardianreview/> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''{{'s}} Andrew Beaujon wrote that the band were "compelling when they put Woomble's sad-sack lyrics front and center," though on a few songs, their "turgid squall swamps his words".<ref name=Spinreview/>

''The Remote Part'' charted at number two in Scotland,<ref name=Scochart/> and number three in the UK.<ref name=UKchart/> It also reached number 39 in Ireland,<ref name=Irechart/> and number 135 in France.<ref name=Frachart/> "You Held the World in Your Arms" charted at number four in Scotland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020428/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=28 April 2002|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405224934/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020428/41/|url-status=live}}</ref> and number nine in the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/> "American English" charted at number eight in Scotland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020707/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=7 July 2002|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725013120/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020707/41/|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 15 on the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/> "Live in a Hiding Place" charted at number 17 in Scotland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20021027/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=27 October 2002|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115224940/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20021027/41/|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 26 in the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/> "A Modern Way of Letting Go" charted at number 21 in Scotland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20030216/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=16 February 2003|accessdate=9 July 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308044048/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20030216/41/|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 28 in the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/> ''The Remote Part'' was certified gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/7249-1134-2|title=Idlewild The Remote Part|publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]]|accessdate=8 July 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214132835/https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/7249-1134-2|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Playlouder]] ranked the album at number 10 on their list of the top 50 albums of 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playlouder.com/top50/2002/albums1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051019150938/http://www.playlouder.com/top50/2002/albums1.html|title=Top 50|publisher=Playlouder|archivedate=19 October 2005|accessdate=11 November 2021}}</ref>

==Track listing== All songs by Idlewild, except where noted.<ref name=TRPbooklet/>

{{Track listing | headline = ''The Remote Part'' track listing | extra_column = Producer | title1 = You Held the World in Your Arms | extra1 = [[Dave Eringa]] | length1 = 3:21 | title2 = A Modern Way of Letting Go | extra2 = Eringa | length2 = 2:23 | title3 = American English | extra3 = Eringa | length3 = 4:34 | title4 = I Never Wanted | writer4 = {{hlist|Idlewild|[[Jeremy Mills]]|[[Allan Stewart (musician)|Allan Stewart]]}} | extra4 = Eringa | length4 = 3:55 | title5 = (I Am) What I Am Not | extra5 = Eringa | length5 = 2:43 | title6 = Live in a Hiding Place | extra6 = {{hlist|Eringa|Guy Massey}} | length6 = 3:16 | title7 = Out of Routine | extra7 = Eringa | length7 = 3:09 | title8 = Century After Century | extra8 = Eringa | length8 = 4:01 | title9 = Tell Me Ten Words | extra9 = [[Stephen Street]] | length9 = 3:46 | title10 = Stay the Same | extra10 = Eringa | length10 = 3:11 | title11 = In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction | writer11 = {{hlist|Idlewild|[[Edwin Morgan (poet)|Edwin Morgan]]}} | extra11 = Eringa | length11 = 3:55 | total_length = 40:32 }}

==Personnel== Personnel per booklet.<ref name=TRPbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Remote Part|others=Idlewild|year=2002|type=booklet|publisher=[[Parlophone]]|id=7243 540243 0 6/540 2430}}</ref> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Idlewild''' * [[Bob Fairfoull]] – bass * [[Rod Jones (musician)|Rod Jones]] – guitar * [[Colin Newton]] – drums * [[Roddy Woomble]] – vocals

'''Additional musicians''' * [[Jeremy Mills]] – piano (track 11) * [[Allan Stewart (musician)|Allan Stewart]] – extra guitar (track 11) * [[Banderas (duo)|Sally Herbert]] – string arrangement (track 1) * [[Edwin Morgan (poet)|Edwin Morgan]] – voice (track 11) {{col-2}} '''Production and design''' * [[Dave Eringa]] – producer, mixing * Guy Massey – engineer, producer (track 6) * [[Stephen Street]] – producer (track 9) * [[Cenzo Townshend]] – engineer (track 9) * [[Mark Thomas]] – engineer - Sawmills * [[Dan Grech-Marguerat]] – assistant * [[Howie Weinberg]] – mastering * Roddy Woomble – artwork concept * Traffic – art direction, design * [[Danny Clinch]] – band photography * [[British Film Institute]] – original cover image {{col-end}}

==Charts and certifications== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Chart performance for ''The Remote Part'' |- ! Charts (2002) ! Peak position |- !scope="row"|Europe ([[European Top 100 Albums]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2002/MM-2002-08-03.pdf|title=Eurochart Top 100 Albums – August 03, 2002|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=20|issue=32|page=8|date=August 3, 2002|access-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> | 12 |- {{album chart|France|135|artist=Idlewild|album=The Remote Part|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2021|refname=Frachart}} |- {{album chart|Ireland2|39|artist=Idlewild|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2021|refname=Irechart}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20020721|rowheader=true|accessdate=26 August 2020|refname=Scochart}} |- {{album chart|UK2|3|date=20020721|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2021|refname=UKchart}} |} {{col-2}}

===Certifications=== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''The Remote Part''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Idlewild|title=The Remote Part|accessdate=2 February 2021|relyear=2002|certyear=2002|award=Gold|id=7249-1134-2}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}} {{col-end}}

==References== '''Citations''' {{reflist}}

'''Sources''' {{refbegin}} * {{cite journal|last=Hart|first=Gary|title=Retail|journal=[[CMJ New Music Report]]|date=12 May 2003|volume=75|issue=813|issn=0890-0795|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bb0gcwQNyrgC&pg=PA40}} * {{cite journal|last1=Woomble|first1=Roddy|last2=Johnson|first2=Tom|last3=Kasparis|first3=Michael|title=Idlewild – The Remote Part|journal=Passing Places|publisher=GoldFlakePaint|location=Scotland|date=2022|volume=1}} {{refend}}

==External links==  * [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_naksNuYPOZ30cmqhYc-uBAj0IXJMjmnas ''The Remote Part''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed) * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071029130257/http://www.atomicduster.com/interviews/idlewild_2/index.html Interview with Fairfoull]}} at Atomicduster * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040215123643/http://maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_music_5108.html Review] at ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Remote Part}} [[Category:Idlewild (band) albums]] [[Category:2002 albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Stephen Street]] [[Category:Albums produced by Dave Eringa]]