Search - Guillemots :: Through the Window Pane

Debut of the year!

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 10/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My introduction to The Guillemots was on the inflight entertainment on a long haul Virgin Atlantic flight. I thought their album was fantastic and decided to get it. Simple yet intricately detailed songs with deep, poetic lyrics, and with most songs stretching longer than most regular pop songs, this is an album that demands patience and rapt attention.



Guillemots comprises a multi national quartet; English vocalist/pianist, Canadian double bassist, Scottish percussionist, and Brazilian guitarist, coming together to produce beautiful cinematic epics with electronic swirls, bleeps and effects. A bit like Doves/Bjork meets the Beach Boys. They apparently stirred a bidding frenzy among record labels eager to sign them up and one listen to this shows why.



There's the upbeat pop of `Made-up love song #43', `Annie, let's not wait' (lovely bubbly bassline), `Through the windowpane', `We're here' (with haunting whistles, and `Trains to Brazil'.



For ballads, there's the brooding opening cut `Little bear', `Come away with me', the eerie `If the world ends' (which reminds me a wee bit of Chris Isaak's `Wicked game'), and `Redwings'.



Then, there's the simply stunning `Sao Paulo' (I love the line `Sometimes I could cry for miles), a sweeping 11 minute epic that goes through various moods and movements; Pop, Jazz, Brazilian.



Indescribably beautiful!!!

"

It's all in the arrangements

P. KRET | Boston, USA | 10/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is beautifully arranged and in this day and age of slap-dash releases this is a cohesive, studied work of art. An absolutely gorgeous collection of beyond-pop songs. They stretch the concept of the pop song into territories not touched since Jeff Buckley left this world... with maybe a nod to Rufus Wainwright (sans pomp). It is NOT a rock record. It is string-laden singer-songwriter magic that would make a 60's Scott Walker proud and a 30th Century Scott Walker prick up his ears. really really special."

Album of the year so far

Baz | Waukesha, WI USA | 10/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a stunning debut album from the Guillemots and by far the best album I have heard this year. There are occasional nods to Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire and maybe early Peter Gabriel-inspired Genesis in here, but do not get the impression that this is not fresh. The opening five tracks are stunning, especially 'Made-Up Lovesong #43', 'Trains to Brazil' and the achingly beautiful 'Come Away With Me'. A must-buy."