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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

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.
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  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.
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Through the Windowpane maximizes and intensifies every moment, every muttered word and every touch of emotion.
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