Guillemots and other rare breeds
Anyone who keeps an ear out for new music will have heard a little bit from this multi-instrumental band of late. Their album was nominated for a Mercury and they've been banging out gigs at festivals all summer. I caught them at Summer Sundae, Noorderzon (see the Groningen entry) and Bestival earlier this month and thought they deserve a few words on these pages.
I tend to be quite suspicious of new bands. It started off as a teenage individualism-at-the-expense-of-common-sense thing but like any creative industry these days, when you come across new music it's hard to wade through the media hype and form your own opinion.
Having watched the gig in Holland, Craig bought the 'From the Cliffs' e.p. which turns out to be a good 35 minutes of eclectic and life-affirming pop. Starting your day with 'Made up Lovesong 43' or 'Trains to Brazil' gives you that rare kind of lift that only music can, keeping a spring in your step for the rest of the day.
Another unique gift the band seem to have is to take in an immense amount of musical influences and still sound resolutely individual. It seems every style, era and emotion's ok to throw in the pot as they still come out with their own brand. I can't help wondering if it's defined by the character of frontman Ffye Dangerfield (apparently a good Brummie boy). I'm sure the rest of the band have a great input, it's obvious, but his unselfconciousness in composition, delivery and physicality really outlines a single minded spirit that you can't help liking. He and the band just give it up. You either get into it or get off!
That's not to say that their aren't a few clangers on 'Through The Windowpane'. There's a few tracks that head towards the shoe-gazing teen guitar ubiqiutous dare i mention Coldplay monotony.
So there you go. It's said. I Heart Guillemots every now and then. 32 and i can still do a bit of groupie love, it's embarrasing really!
More City Adventure organisation for Stan this week and then off to Melbourne for a month rice-ing. Can't wait, next post from our man down under.