OXFORD STUDENT

OCTOBER 14, 1993

Idaho

Year After Year

By Mike Healey

IDAHO. The name suggests sprawling fields, infinite skies, year after year without change -something that most bands miss out on. Yet this is without sounding empty. The result is a sort of hopeful sadness, bringing solace to the lonely. Interestingly, the album credits John Berry’s feedback as a separate instrument, and he treats it as such. Feedback perfectly controlled and sculptured, floating above Jeff Martin’s flawed voice.

The songs are about coming to terms with pain and suppressed anger; sometimes oppressive, sometimes strangely uplifting. There is beauty and power in there: Idaho have channeled their passion elegantly into a gloriously potent set of songs.