Guillemots, Through The Windowpane

Oh oh how I love the Guillemots. In fact I can't gush enough about this band. This is a record of lush instrumentation, unusual noises and encapsulates an overriding feeling of joy and of celebration and of love of the world. Even where it is melancholic or dark this band radiates hope. Comprised of singer Fyfe Dangerfield smiling in tweed while banging on his keyboards, ex-thrash guitarist MC Lord Magrao who likes to play the typewriter as an instrument and uses and electric drill on his guitar strings, double bassist Aristazabel Hawkes who brings glamour to the band and drummer Greig Stewart.

The standout tracks have probably all been the singles, "Trains to Brazil" about missing an ex-love, "Who Left the Lights Off Baby" about breaking up with someone you realise you don't fancy one bit and "Made Up Love Song #43" which contains the line "I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do" which should be cringe-inducing but is delivered with such sincerity that you cannot help but smile. By far the highlight of the record, however, is the epic closer "Sao Paolo" about walking through the streets of that city and takes you on a voyage from despair to hope as it builds and builds in intensity.

This is a rare gem of a record that should find its way into record collections of all sorts and which will serve to brighten the lives of its listeners through its warmth, it's sincerity, its considered thoughtfulness and its eccentric musicianship.