Warnings/Promises

Warnings/Promises is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Idlewild, released on 7 March 2005 by Parlophone. Following the release of their third studio album The Remote Part (2002), Gavin Fox replaced bassist Bob Fairfoull, and touring guitarist Allan Stewart became a permanent member. They spent the majority of 2003 writing material, before traveling to Malmö, Sweden to record at Tambourine Studios with producer Dave Eringa. After finishing five tracks, they went to Los Angeles to work at Sunset Sound Recorders with producer Tony Hoffer. Due to the laidback nature of the sessions, the band had to re-record everything; recording concluded in October 2004. Described as a college rock and folk rock album, Warnings/Promises emphasized more acoustic instrumentation than its predecessor.

Warnings/Promises received generally favourable reviews from critics, some seeing it as a progression from The Remote Part, while others felt it was weaker than that album. The album charted at number five in Scotland, and number nine in the United Kingdom; it would later be certified silver in the latter territory. All three of its singles charted within the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, with "Love Steals Us from Loneliness" reaching the highest at number 16. Bookended by two tours of the UK, "Love Steals Us from Loneliness" was released as the lead single from Warnings/Promises on 21 February 2005. The album's second single "I Understand It" was released on 2 May 2002. While appearing at various festivals, the band supported U2 and R.E.M. at several shows. In the midst of this, "El Capitan" was released as the third and final single from the album on 11 July 2005.