The Guillemots @ Glasgow ABC
Perhaps it's the soporific nature of the band's outpourings that makes listening to a whole assemblage in one setting simply too much.
| 12 Nov 2006
Despite the Mercury nomination and the visually stunning animated backdrop, The Guillemots still fail to deliver tonight. The first tune, out of time, and somewhat out of key, sets the tone and while the subsequent musings manage to get them back on track to an extent, the repetitive nature of the song structures fall short of engaging an enthusiastic crowd. Perhaps it's the soporific nature of the band's outpourings that makes listening to a whole assemblage in one setting simply too much. Admittedly the Charles Mingus like, evocative stirrings from the wind section add interest, as do the beautiful hand gesticulations from the keyboardist; and the lyrics are more prosaic than most of today's pop. But despite the weird improvisations and jazz-like clangings, The Guillemots are just that – Pop; and regardless of the interesting and erratic capering that winds through the set, it was difficult not to leave with the disheartening feeling that I had witnessed the birth of another Travis or Coldplay. [Sam Eccles]