I must admit, it took a while. I almost gave up.

But then a long came Roddy Woomble with his debut solo album My Secret is my Silence. a beautifully, stunningly, poetically uplifting record. So uplifting it's heartbreaking!

Woomble of course known for his luminous performances with top-rated Scottish rockers Idlewild, the best thing to come out of the Highlands since, well, shortbread. He's gained wide acclaim and popularity for his poetically infectious lyrics and upbeat yet bittersweet melodies.

With his debut solo effort, he reinforces his stature among critics and fans alike, growing to become a celebrated folk singer and songwriter. The eleven tracks on My Secret is my Silence are tinged with folkloric instruments, mixed with the roots of Idlewild's original sound.

Each of these songs play out like film of memories or dreams, perhaps even a path that takes you into the depths of an emotionally-charged adventure of love, innocence, identity and belonging.

Woomble demonstrates this in an addictive fashion with the title track and on the sweetly nostalgic Waverley Steps and If I Could Name Any Name, two of five tracks on the album featuring the evocative voice of Kate Rusby.

This one's a keeper. An everlasting gem that you are sure to not get weary of, in fact the more you listen to it, the more you'll yearn for it; like a new lover, getting to know better with every rendezvous, passing by like a beautiful dream.