Guillemots - Walk The River
Walk The River marks the welcome return of Guillemots three years after their last album. And with Fyfe Dangerfield back on side after his stint working for John Lewis the band have produced a simply wonderful album.
This album starts off spectacularly. The title track ‘Walk The River’ is haunting and beautiful, Fyfe repeatedly croons the poignant chorus, ‘Walk the river, like a hunted animal’ which makes for fond listening. Commanding drums and stripped down vocals are joined by exceptional guitar to create a song which would be a perfect single off this album.
‘I Don’t Feel Amazing Now’ is equally beautiful with its cheery tones despite it being about heartbreak, ‘my heart is on the table, you can’t take it if you want, it’s yours.’ Love is a strong theme throughout this album but Guillemots’ take on it is subtle and abstract – a refreshing change to the sickly mush we often hear.
By the time you arrive at ‘Sometimes I Remember Wrong’ you are faced with a bit marathon for the ears – slogging through a 9-minute epic half way through the album does get a bit tiresome. However, once it’s over the album gets its second wind as current single ‘The Basket’ kicks into life. Synthy and shouty, this song is the most diverse on the album, fusing together all three albums into a small four minute riot.
Emotive and punchy hooks sum up the album nicely. Touching lyrics and easy going melodies mean this album is more subdued that the previous albums from Guillemots but the depth of emotion in Dangerfield’s voice really does make up for the lack of bangs and whistles. The album starts off promising a more mature version of the Guillemots of old and, although it’s not perfect, by the end of this great record you’re likely to be pretty satisfied by what you’ve heard.
What a cool looking band.
Rx
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