Guillemots @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC 5/9/06
Seemed reasonable to turn our attention to stage when the house lights cut ... but Guillemots like to experiment, and didn't waste any time. Like a make-shift marching band, the group struck up a racket in the balcony, banging drums, clanging bells, blowing on horns and parading through the crowd.
Each player brings something to the band's adventurous brand of pop, but the manic glint in lead man Fyfe Dangerfield's eye lets you know from where the stuff flows. Guy's voice can do it all, but he chooses passionate pursuit of his melodies over seeking perfection in their contours. And he's a bit of a character. Upon forgetting a lyric during "Who Left The Lights Off," he walked into the crowd and heckled his vacant seat. But when Fyfe picked up his keyboard to sing "Blue Is Still Blue," without a mic or a band, he stole our collective breath. Last night's show was far from a sell-out, but that didn't stop forty strong from battling the returning house lights with stomps and cheers for a true encore. Fyfe agreed.
Between shifting styles, arrangements and instrumentation, the Guillemots try a lot. And we won't say that everything works. But when it comes together, as in "Made Up Love Song #43" and "Trains To Brazil" -- and their ambition isn't drowning their sound -- the results are brilliant.
SETLISTGuillemots - "Trains To Brazil" (MP3 Link Expired)
Through The Window Pane
We're Here
Sea Out
Who Left The Lights Off, Baby?
If The World Ends
Made Up Love Song #43
Trains To Brazil
Go Away
Blue Would Still Be Blue
----------------
Sao Paulo
----------------
White Rag
Posted at 10:12 AM in Concert
Tags: Guillemots
really dig that mp3.
damn, shoulda went last night.
Score = 0
Yeah quite a live experience I agree, I saw them at the Brighton Audio (a really small venue) and they really were fantastic, also thanks to my position as student radio DJ I interviewed Fyfe after the show.
Score = 0
I thought Guillemots was just awful. Total snoozefest. Oh well.
Score = 0
the stand-up bassist chick was just too hot.
Score = 0
a i second the bass player comment
red dress and stand up bass.....
like wet dream?
Score = 0
They did the same marching through audience in Austin, but followed with the crashing of MC's guitar that was then slowly molded into a melody.
I'm a bit ambivalent about last night. You could barely hear MC's guitar and I think they really need that to get the crowd rocking. It was fucking wierd seeing him wig out and not being able to hear why.
Oh yeah, and they had a fucking typewriter.
Score = 0
don't know where you were standing atm, but near the stage the crowd was lovin it. there weren't many, but those there definitely dug in. i definitely did.
Score = 0
was he drinking a bottle of whiskey all night? he was great. Was that also a power drill in the guitarist's hand?
Score = 0