Guillemots: Through the Window Pane
Birmingham-based five piece, Guillemots
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Tuesday, 01, Aug 2006 11:48
Polydor, out now
In a nutshell..
Uplifting. Indulgent. Soulful. Haunting. Melodic
What's it all about?
Through the Window Pane is a 12-track indie album that could be described as arty rock. You might recognise track two, Made up Love Song #43, which has been played on Channel 4. Guillemots also released Trains to Brazil as a single last year which became an iTunes single of the week.
Who's it by
A five piece-from Birmingham. However, Guillemots are a bit more of a complex five-piece. Setting the beat is a Brazilian drummer who used to have a penchant for thrash metal guitar. Female bass player Aristazabal Hawkes wins the prize for strangest name closely followed by MC Lord Magrao, while lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield did a stint working as a rebel music teacher at Cranbrook College.
This is their first album and is far more polished that their rather rough-round-the-edges previous two EPs that were accused of being too experimental. They've had a successful few years, as highlighted when they opened Rufus Wainwright's sell-out tour in 2005.
As an example.
Out-of-tune brass comes in, Casio keyboard backing, a phone rings."you got me off the sofa, just sprang out of the air, the best things come from nowhere, I can't believe you care".violin instrumental.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Pretty unlikely but their name has cropped up on the Mercury Music Prize shortlist. They're alternative, original and new on the scene so they pretty much fit the bill. But they will face stiff competition from consumer favourites Arctic Monkeys and electro nutters Hot Chip.
What the others say
"Guillemots have delivered an epic, lyrically poetic and downright thrilling album that juxtaposes moments of great joy with intimate poignancy." IndieLondon
"It makes for exhausting listening (and you may find yourself picking and choosing tracks, depending on your mood)" Manchester Evening News
"Here lie gorgeous tunes that are lithe enough to cope with the little bursts of sonic madness that flit around like overproduced Eighties butterflies - 'Made Up Love Song #43' being the perfect case in point." The Observer
So is it any good?
The first track on the album, Little Bear, sets the tone for the entire record. It is instrumental, at times over the top and has some beautiful melodies. The rest of the album follows suit but there are definite highs and lows culminating in a powerful 11 minute 42 second finale of heart wrenching instrumentalism that is just plain fantastic. Highs include the one everyone knows, Made up Love Song #43 which whilst being highly emotional remains uplifting with Fyfe Dangerfield belting out the lyrics with real sincerity and passion. Trains to Brazil is one of the best tracks on the album. Its pure poppy upbeat tune sticks in the heard and is a sure-fire festival anthem succeeding in getting the feet moving and the hands in the air.
Through the Window Pane does suffer from a minor dip in the middle where the tracks do seem to merge into one. Blue Would Still be Blue quickly becomes repetitive and lacks the sincerity and originality of the rest of the album. There are sections that are a little too experimental on first listen but stick with it, it's a grower.
Whatever people say about Guillemots they can't be accused of being boring. To support their gorgeous melodies they use a selection of random sounds including telephone rings, birds squawking, Bloc Party-esque drumming, a full string ensemble and what sounds like a Salvation Army band. And the brilliant part is that it seems to work. Whilst not everything is as polished and engaging as they might like the brilliant melodies and uplifting nature of the whole album pulls Guillemots out of any questionable patches making Through the Window Pane a classic album that will last much longer than its summer fling release period.
8/10
Lucy Cranshaw