Guillemots - Red
Artist profile:
Guillemots
Release Date: 24/03/08
Label: Polydor
Rating: ****
There’s a sense of nervous anticipation and excited curiosity that comes with the Guillemots. As challenging as they are endearing, they create music which varies quite largely in terms of sound with every release and 'Red', the London quartet’s second full length album is unsurprisingly no different.
No sooner have you settled yourself for the wonders you're about to hear, than the Guillemots change your disposition with the sideways thinking that makes them so good. Among the rafter of EP’s which got this band noticed nearly three years ago now, 'Red' seems to be proof that the Guillemots have, if not found themselves, then certainly a large chunk of what makes them tick.
Translated into sound, 'Red' is largely structured around the original flowing classical pop which made debut LP 'Through The Windowpane' such a delightful listen. It’s laid bare for all to hear on latest single ‘Get Over It’. A perfect example of one of those songs that will have you instantly shying away with it's experimental sheen but drags you back for more with its massive chorus and juddering beat.
The same can be said for the acoustic lull of ‘Falling Out Of Reach’. It swaps the lively amusements of ‘Get Over It’ with a soothing approach that glides along at lullaby pace sending the listener into paradise before it fades to an end.
It’s not all as accessible as this though with the Guillemots giving themselves a little room to think outside the box as usual. ‘Cockateels’ leads the Guillemots special pop formula into a worldly Asian dimension as much as ‘Big Dog’ delves into R’n’B territory with surprising ease and confidence. What really impresses however, is the bands ability to take such differing sounds while keeping their sporadic indie credentials well in tact.
Scenes and fashion tags aside, bands can sometimes create songs in which they truly sound at their most comfortable. ‘Don’t Look Down’ and ‘Take Me Home’ tick this box, ending proceedings respectively in truly grandiose style. The first builds from a brooding baseline into an electric skip while holding onto its engrossing melody throughout as does ‘Take Me Home’ but with an undeniable epic quality making it one, no doubt, to witness live.
But while this album holds so much depth it’s also one that will lose the patience of the indie masses that liked them merely for the arty side if their fashion. Not that it should bother the Guillemots one iota, because 'Red' is an album that finally separates them from any categorisation and takes these guys one step further to the world of creativity, they’re constantly searching to behold.
Sam Tolley
Guillemots Official Site
Guillemots Myspace
Buy Guillemots CDs | Buy Guillemots mp3s | Buy Guillemots Tickets | Buy Guillemots Merch
Release Date: 24/03/08
Label: Polydor
Rating: ****
There’s a sense of nervous anticipation and excited curiosity that comes with the Guillemots. As challenging as they are endearing, they create music which varies quite largely in terms of sound with every release and 'Red', the London quartet’s second full length album is unsurprisingly no different.
No sooner have you settled yourself for the wonders you're about to hear, than the Guillemots change your disposition with the sideways thinking that makes them so good. Among the rafter of EP’s which got this band noticed nearly three years ago now, 'Red' seems to be proof that the Guillemots have, if not found themselves, then certainly a large chunk of what makes them tick.
Translated into sound, 'Red' is largely structured around the original flowing classical pop which made debut LP 'Through The Windowpane' such a delightful listen. It’s laid bare for all to hear on latest single ‘Get Over It’. A perfect example of one of those songs that will have you instantly shying away with it's experimental sheen but drags you back for more with its massive chorus and juddering beat.
The same can be said for the acoustic lull of ‘Falling Out Of Reach’. It swaps the lively amusements of ‘Get Over It’ with a soothing approach that glides along at lullaby pace sending the listener into paradise before it fades to an end.
It’s not all as accessible as this though with the Guillemots giving themselves a little room to think outside the box as usual. ‘Cockateels’ leads the Guillemots special pop formula into a worldly Asian dimension as much as ‘Big Dog’ delves into R’n’B territory with surprising ease and confidence. What really impresses however, is the bands ability to take such differing sounds while keeping their sporadic indie credentials well in tact.
Scenes and fashion tags aside, bands can sometimes create songs in which they truly sound at their most comfortable. ‘Don’t Look Down’ and ‘Take Me Home’ tick this box, ending proceedings respectively in truly grandiose style. The first builds from a brooding baseline into an electric skip while holding onto its engrossing melody throughout as does ‘Take Me Home’ but with an undeniable epic quality making it one, no doubt, to witness live.
But while this album holds so much depth it’s also one that will lose the patience of the indie masses that liked them merely for the arty side if their fashion. Not that it should bother the Guillemots one iota, because 'Red' is an album that finally separates them from any categorisation and takes these guys one step further to the world of creativity, they’re constantly searching to behold.
Sam Tolley
Guillemots Official Site
Guillemots Myspace
Buy Guillemots CDs | Buy Guillemots mp3s | Buy Guillemots Tickets | Buy Guillemots Merch
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