"sort of a culty band" - Roddy Woomble

"A rose, is a rose, is a rose" - Gertrude Stein

References in songs

Gertrude Stein (1874-1947) -

Roseability - "Gertrude Stein said that's enough."

Legendary American author born on February 3, 1874 in Pennsylvania, USA. Spent her early years in Parisian literary circles and was catapulted to fame with the publication of "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" in 1933. During The Nazi occupation she hit on hard times and lived in poverty, walking miles each day for food. She only just outlived the war, dying on 27th July 1947 of colonic cancer. Famously said "a rose, is a rose, is a rose," which could explain the title of this song. Gertrude Stein produced over 400 pieces of work and most are found in the Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.

Gertrude stein

"They wont mean much as barricades"

Queen of the Troubled Teens

If you look at the original lyric sheet for "Smells Like Teen Spirit," by Nirvana (a band who undoubtedly influenced idlewild) in the book "Come as you are" by Michael Azzerad (p.212), you can read the lyrics (in Kurt Cobain's own writing),

"Who will be the king and queen of the outcasted teens?"

"No these are not my words"

Hugh Miller (1802-1856) - Idea Track - "Dear Hugh Miller..."

A Scotsman famed for being a stonemason, geologist, editor and writer.He recorded almost 350 legend and customs, most of which can be found in his most famous book, Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland. He has a visitor centre built in memory of him at Cromarty near Inverness.


Hugh Miller

"You shed a shade of shyness"

Jackson Pollock - Idea Track

born - Jan. 28, 1912, Cody, Wyo., U.S.
died - Aug. 11, 1956, East Hampton, N.Y.

Paul Jackson Pollock, American abstract painter,describes as 'Action Painting'.He developed the "drip painting" technique that became his hallmark.

He suffered many nervous breakdowns, was always in hospital, and also became an alcoholic, he comitted suicide in 1956.

One of Roddy's favorite painters, the name 'jackson' appears on a birthday cake in the 'when I argue I see shapes' video.


Jackson Pollock

"A failed blake knocked me to the ground"

Palace Flophouse -(Peeps into fairyland cover)

That song's about Mad Dog Coll and Dutch Schultz, two of New York's most notorious gangsters of the 30s. They were enemies and Dutch was killed in Newark, New Jersey at his taven which was called "Palace Chop House" That was where everyone went to "take care of" killings and such.
Anyway....that's why the songs called Palace Flophouse, and why it says "Mad Dog" over and over again throughout the entirty of the song. And why it says
" The palace flophouse, is a good place to be if you ever need any help, like if anyone's ever dead"

Thanks to Nicole for the info

"Your croft, dated back to the beginning of the century"

Syd Barrett - When i argue i see shapes

Born Jan. 6, 1946 Original name Roger Keith Barrett, he was the original vocalist of rock band Pink Floyd.
In 1968 Barrett, was struggling with schizophrenia and was replaced by guitarist David Gilmour.
Is name-checked in the song 'when I argue I see shapes'. "And when I argue Syd Barrett makes me laugh"

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