The Guillemots

  

 

Fopp Record Store, Southampton, 11th July 2006  Pix courtesy of GJH Swaine Photography

To those already in love with Guillemots, the record label bidding war and breathless music business buzz have come as no surprise.

It all makes sense considering their eccentric invention and top-drawer songwriting that covers everything from joyous anthems to haunting heartbreakers.

One of the hardest things to write is a really nice tune that everyone can like without it being crass or corny says Fyfe Dangerfield lead singer of the Guillemots at their session at Fopp today. Yet on paper, they seem like a risk for the music industry. Their defiantly creative use of styles and sounds makes it near-impossible to contain them in any pigeonhole.

Are they pop? Great tunes, but too weird. Are they jazz? There is lots of experimentation - but too pop. Are they rock? There are guitars, but they have a minority stake in the songs.

So are they arty? Will only musos will love them? Sort of, but their songwriting is strong enough to reach a wide audience.

In short, they are catchy but quirky, just original enough yet also just familiar enough. A safe bet for this year's Mercury Music Prize. Watch this space...

 

 

Glamour Puss Graphics Courtesy of Peppermint Pattie

 

 

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