Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Debut of the year!, October 24, 2006
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!!!
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Confessed Bird Lover!!!, August 23, 2006
For those of you who may not know, the Guillemot is a fascinating, funny little sea bird with a big playful personality that will steal your heart. The band "The Guillemots" shares the same personality traits as the bird it's named after.
This is the debut album from "The Guillemots" and it's nothing short of brilliant. While the previous EP's were at times a little experimental, this album finds a more focused band that has really found their groove and the sound that works best for them. This is a very diverse, well-balanced, cohesive album with a wide range of styles fused into something unique and incredibly amazing.
Music can be a natural form of escape from the doldrums and mundane routines of everyday life. The Guillemots can put a smile on your face and inspire you to live life to the fullest. Just listen to "Trains To Brazil" or "Made-up Lovesong #43" or better yet watch the videos that are included with this CD. Fyfe Dangerfield has so much passion when he sings and performs that you can't do anything but get totally immersed in the music. In my opinion, Fyfe is the only singer that can pick up the torch from Prefab Sprout's Paddy McAloon (who is one of my all time favorite artists/songwriters/vocalists). Whether intentional or not, the piano on "Little Bear" reminds me of the Blue Nile and the vocals on "Come Away With Me" reminds me of Roland Orzabal from Tears for Fears (pick a balad from "Songs from the Big Chair"). This album is not derivative in any way, but has elements that could remind you of your favorite bands or why you just love music in general.
Do yourself a favor and buy this album now! This is an album that you'll need to take your time with. Some of the songs will bowl you over right away and some will be an acquired taste. This is one of those bands that seem to come out of nowhere and you just thank your lucky stars that they exist.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Album of the year so far, October 10, 2006
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.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|