Music

Led by classically trained pianist Fyfe Dangerfield, the Guillemots have something rather nerdy about them. It’s obvious from their love of avant-garde music and explorations of jazz, Latin and electronics. The London-based quartet have even got themselves involved in production, to make sure things sound just right.

It works, too. There’s a real depth to this debut that’s rare on modern albums. Often, at the mastering point, there’s a tendency to compress all sounds into one consistent level, ideal for the radio because there’s no sudden flux in sound. It also means there’s no room for textured instrumentation or the chance to suddenly leap into life. It’s something that the Guillemots have avoided admirably. With more space in which to play, they’ve crafted an atmospheric, multi-layered album with delightful peaks and troughs. It’s just a pity that much of their actual music avoids proper experimentation for big band-infused Keane territory. Better are ‘We’re Here’

(Krautrock-cum-orchestral jazz), the swinging ‘Trains To Brazil’ (Dexys) and Dangerfield’s reverb-blasted vocals (à la My Morning Jacket’s Jim James) on ‘Made Up Love Song #43’. Still, this album should be applauded for its recording technique, which services wearers of headphones and ignores the demands of radio.