Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Where 'The Remote Part' was their 'Green'-esque lunge into the spotlight, 'Warnings/Promises' is their full-blwon 'Out Of Time' spectacular. But with less twangle, more teeth. [5 Mar 2005, p.50]
  2. Idlewild may still be figuring out exactly how to juggle its conflicting elements, but there are more than enough truly bright spots on Warnings/Promises to remind the listener of what the band is capable of when it fires on all cylinders -- and even when it doesn't.
  3. Filter
    72
    They've arrived at a more basic and touching--at times sleep-inducing--music that lingers for better and for worse. [#16, p.89]
  4. Woomble’s lyrics, while literate, are never quite as clever as his supporters would like to believe.
  5. ‘Warnings / Promises’ is the work of a band pushing itself to the limits of its generous, but ultimately not boundless musical ability.
  6. Q Magazine
    70
    [An] album of considerable grace and poise. [Apr 2005, p.116]
  7. Warnings/Promises establishes Idlewild as a very good band, but also indicates that it probably won't ever be a great one.
  8. Warnings/Promises is even better [than The Remote Part], a set of hopeless love songs for sad-eyed city girls.
  9. Magnet
    70
    Sounding like mid-period R.E.M. isn't the noblest of ambitions, but it somehow seems to work. [#69, p.98]
  10. Songwriting chemistry is a tricky thing, and while having two or three competing voices can push writers to new heights, a group of five here leads to songs that are merely passable.
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Aug 15, 2011
    9
    "Don't tell me your afraid of the past, its only the future that didn't last" This lyric made me see my whole life in a different perspective"Don't tell me your afraid of the past, its only the future that didn't last" This lyric made me see my whole life in a different perspective and this whole album just like The Remote Part is full of these lyrical gems. Full Review »
  2. ChelseaM
    Sep 22, 2006
    8
    This is not their best CD, I don't know if they'll ever top The Remote Part, but it still inherently Idlewild. No one else could This is not their best CD, I don't know if they'll ever top The Remote Part, but it still inherently Idlewild. No one else could capture their sound. Best song of the year, afterall... Full Review »
  3. AndrewJ
    Nov 6, 2005
    9
    Extremely listenable with outstanding harmonies at the root of all the best songs. 'Not just sometimes but always' and 'I Extremely listenable with outstanding harmonies at the root of all the best songs. 'Not just sometimes but always' and 'I understand it' are outstanding highlights. Fairplay to Idlewild. Full Review »