Through The Windowpane
by Guillemots
  • Record Label: Polydor
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 47
  3. Negative: 5 out of 47

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  1. alou
    Aug 17, 2006
    10
    It's a difficult, but absolute amazing record. Definitely a grower, you got to listen to it quite a while to fully enjoy the better songs: we're here, through the windowpane, annie, let's not wait... simply masterpieces. Best record of the year by miles, the lambs can keep listen to Tom Yorke's nonsense
  2. NastyR
    Jan 18, 2007
    10
    A Masterpiece. Romantic, lush and full of life. Steve N is deaf. Fyfe is a great singer, but your poor ears avoid the truth.
  3. Texas
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    An awesome album. Drove 90 miles to see them live on the strength of final track Sao Paulo and was not disappointed. Live they are even better. If you only buy one album this year, get this one as well. [Got to play percussion on Sao Paulo at the Brixton Academy gig too]
  4. BobW.
    Feb 27, 2008
    10
    I love this album, having owned it for ages but only recently listened to it properly I can't leave it alone now.
  5. AidanK.
    Feb 29, 2008
    9
    I love this record, its just an absolute joy from beginning to end.
  6. alfonsoz.
    Oct 24, 2007
    10
    I discover guillemots in a friend collection, before that I've never heard about them. when i listen the entire album it was pure magic, its fully emotional, intense and creative.. so far the best album of the year.
  7. JoeH
    Feb 9, 2007
    7
    Good album, with 3 or 4 excellent tracks. The album sounds better than their live performance!
  8. SteveN
    Jan 1, 2007
    4
    A disappointing album following some promisng single track releases. Too twee and try-hard for my tastes. So much potential might be released if Fyfe dropped the pretensions of 'avant-garde' and took a few more singing lessons.
  9. KevinE
    Jul 20, 2006
    10
    Not a perfect album *what is?* but it comes quite close. The most original and refreshing band in a long time. Every song is gorgeous
  10. JB
    Aug 7, 2006
    5
    Compared to their EP 'From the Cliffs' this debut effort is a complete disappointment. The balance of catchy pop riffs with the emotion and expression offered by the different textures and instruments the Guillmots use is completely off - by the end of the album it sounds like an unitelligible mass of overproduced syncopation. It sounds as if the band is making a lot of noise Compared to their EP 'From the Cliffs' this debut effort is a complete disappointment. The balance of catchy pop riffs with the emotion and expression offered by the different textures and instruments the Guillmots use is completely off - by the end of the album it sounds like an unitelligible mass of overproduced syncopation. It sounds as if the band is making a lot of noise just for the sake of making a lot of noise which does not make for an enjoyable listen. Do yourself a favor - buy the 'From the Cliffs' EP (which still includes their two best tracks - 'Trains from Brazil' and 'Made Up Lovesong #43' ) and eschew this overproduced debut.… Expand
  11. Martin
    Nov 10, 2006
    9
    In what I consider to be a desert of a year for good albums, this one is an oasis.
  12. NeilG
    Aug 31, 2006
    10
    A truly gorgeous record from start to finish !.Anybody who says otherwise has cloth ears ! If there's a more beautiful song than track 7 written this year I'll be very surprised. Ignore the low scores this is easily one of the best albums of 2006. Jesus even Pitchfork liked it !
  13. BradR.
    Sep 23, 2006
    10
    Easily the best album of the year, if not the decade. The Guillemots have accomplished the rare feat of creating an ALBUM, an artwork where each individual piece influences the perception and enjoyment of every other piece, and for the better. "Made up Lovesong #42" is a good pop single, but coming after the sleepy lull of "Little Bear", which sounds straight of Debussy's Easily the best album of the year, if not the decade. The Guillemots have accomplished the rare feat of creating an ALBUM, an artwork where each individual piece influences the perception and enjoyment of every other piece, and for the better. "Made up Lovesong #42" is a good pop single, but coming after the sleepy lull of "Little Bear", which sounds straight of Debussy's 'Nocturnes', it becomes so much more. San Paulo Rain, the 11 minute closer, is an epic track on its own, but coming after the up and down emotional tug and pull of the previous 10 tracks, it is cathartic. It crafting an album, the Guillemots have probably risked losing potential fans whose patience will not stretch beyond the three minute jolt of a "trains to brazil". However, the Guillemots show an understanding of dynamics and mood so beyond their peers, it is clear they could never have made this album any other way.… Collapse
  14. AiliseB
    Oct 13, 2006
    9
    Seriously talented vocals.The variety of the instruments used ,really add to their uniqueness,"Made up love song 43# "one of those "happy" songs you hear.The album is a must buy!
  15. kamil
    Dec 3, 2006
    9
    Best album of the year. Pop music by guillemots is diverse amount of styles, from soul to jazzy pop. Fyfe have great voice (reminiscent of lovely Jeff Buckley) and imagination. Euphoric and sad, opulent and restrained masterpiece from England.
  16. ImranS
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    This band puts together so many influences so effortlessly, not to mention some of the best pop moments of the last decade. "Trains to Brazil" was the best song of last year, and it's going to be the best song of this year as well.
  17. georgeb
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    Best album of the year so far. A master piece.
  18. Mark
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    This is just amazing..
  19. radioheadman
    Jul 17, 2006
    9
    threatening to be the best of the year
  20. Chaz
    Jul 25, 2006
    4
    It's certainly a carefully and delicately produced album, but the praise Guillemots are receiving is unsettlingly excessive. Having read such amazing reviews, listening to the album was a confounding experience of sitting and waiting for something spectacular to happen. I hope the positive press doesn't stop people from giving this a mindful and critical appraisal before it ends It's certainly a carefully and delicately produced album, but the praise Guillemots are receiving is unsettlingly excessive. Having read such amazing reviews, listening to the album was a confounding experience of sitting and waiting for something spectacular to happen. I hope the positive press doesn't stop people from giving this a mindful and critical appraisal before it ends up as an unfortunate 'album of the year.'… Expand
  21. SeaghanM
    Aug 13, 2006
    9
    Rich, multi-layered, a joy to listen to - wraps around like a warm blanket :)
  22. time
    Aug 9, 2006
    8
    They write some great songs especially songs 2-4. After that it gets a little less interesting until the epic closer. Great way to end an enjoyable record.
  23. ChanawitW
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    It's an amazing album .Even if Kaye west's albums are important for music scene this album by Guillemots is proper unforgetable in every tracks.
  24. MiguelC
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    one of the best of this year. The production value is as good as the musical/lyrical value
  25. JackC
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    A band I've kept an eye on for a while, and I am so impressed witht their debut. It links magical lyrics with genius music behind it fronted by a voice which ranks with the best. A must buy!
  26. SteveH
    Oct 12, 2007
    9
    Saw them live last night with CBSO (11/10/2007), unusually I found their live performance even better than their recorded work. Absolutely incredible. I was in awe.
  27. matta
    Jul 21, 2006
    6
    this album is pretty hit and miss. It's especially disconcerting when you consider that the two best tracks on the album (Made Up Lovesong #43 and Trains to Brazil), were on an earlier EP. There are a few other good songs (If The World Ends, Annie Let's Not Wait), but not nearly enough to warrant all the hype that this band is getting. It is very obvious that they are enjoying this album is pretty hit and miss. It's especially disconcerting when you consider that the two best tracks on the album (Made Up Lovesong #43 and Trains to Brazil), were on an earlier EP. There are a few other good songs (If The World Ends, Annie Let's Not Wait), but not nearly enough to warrant all the hype that this band is getting. It is very obvious that they are enjoying themselves and love playing music, but that isn't enough. I'm looking forward to their next album.… Expand
  28. NC
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    Amazing album that rewards you more and more with repeated listens. A few songs that may have annoyed you initially actually become very charming and enjoyable. Top 5 album material of 2006.
  29. gregs
    Sep 29, 2006
    9
    A great album, but it definitely gets better and better on repeated listenings. it's frustrating it's not out in the states, with no indication when that will happen.
  30. gideonosphere
    May 14, 2012
    10
    perhaps the most beautiful record I have ever heard. Well, it definitely cuts the top ten. beautiful sonic textures make you feel like you're soaring or ride on an unstable atmosphere. i especially appreciate the balance between avant garde/experimental ambiance and "straightforward" pop music. the lyrics are sincere and endearing. i will cherish this album for a long time.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. BBC collective
    70
    Not all of Dangerfield's maverick ideas work - he should steer clear of under-accompanied singing for a start - but when they do take off, Guillemots really soar.
    Read full review
  2. Dot Music
    70
    With their grand orchestrations, love of idiosyncratic detail and self-consciously old-school dynamics, Guillemots sound refreshingly out of temper with the times.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Through the Windowpane maximizes and intensifies every moment, every muttered word and every touch of emotion.
    Read full review
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