you may have heard of the Guillemots. They were nominated in the same awards that were won by the arctic monkeys. they seem to play Ireland a lot. I've never seen them. I've just discovered them.

There are two singles off this album. They are 'Trains to Brazil' and 'We're here'. in my opnion so far, these are the best songs on the album and they are simply magnificent. If you're heard anything it will be trains to Brazil, These singles are available on 7 inch form. If you're into that sort of thing of course.

Me I stumped up for the double album. Twice. I have two copies here looking at me. There's a story behind that you see. I don't actually want the two copies but well it just kind of happened. I will bring one back. I promise.

Apparently Polydor shipped the album but shipped it without the lovely 12" booklet that is crammed with the lyrics to the albumand the quirky childish artwork, presumably by one or more band members. Its the same kind of artwork that's on their website at www.guillemots.com. Have a look. Its in Flash(tm).

So the booklet was missing you see. And in the first record, of the two, the spindle hole was cut badly off centre. There was a few scuff marks on teh record too. So today there I was in HMV when I saw another copy(two actually). I bought one, with lyric insert. (Its really nice). The spindle hole is fine. There's a couple of scuff marks though. And a couple of surface marks. Oh and a few dimples. But they don't seem to affect play badly.

Are you bored yet? Right, onto the music.

Did I mention quirky. I think they guillemots try to be quirky and they pretty much succeed. They are also hopelessly and happily romantic. Lyrics are really lovely and the singer is wearing that big old heart on his big old sleeve. Not in a coldplay kind of way. Cos while Chris Martin is usually crying in his sleeve, Fyfe dangerfield (for I believe it is he) is shaking his in the air with huge delight at this whole love thing. no really. And you will be too.He has that strained tenor voice which sometimes stretches a bit too far but when it doesn't is really impressive and emotive.

There's a gorgeous girl in the band. Her name is Aristazabal Hawkes and she is from canada.

Oh she plays the double bass.

'Little Bear' is a mood piece. Its slow and full of strings. Its pretty much heartbroken and i can't wait for it to be over so we can get into 'Made up lovesong #43' which is just great. I love the lyrics and I love singing along. It sounds like a girl just rescued him. Its the joy of falling in love.

Next up is the bloody marvellous 'trains to brazil'. Definitely a contender for single of the year. Its really happy, its really busy, its full of strings. And drums. And loads and loads of voices. And any song that talks about being in or going to Brazil has to be great.

Side two I am not mad about. The first two tracks I don't really notice. The third I notice too much. Its quite annoying. Those tracks are 'redwings', 'come away with me' and 'through the windowpane'. Lets get out of here.

Side three is a lot better. Kicking off with 'If the world ends', its a slow slow song. He's telling the girl(who he met in made up love song #43), the ex-girl, that he loves her after all and wants to be with her when the world does end. Any day now.

And then, oh joy of joys, we get to the other single, 'We're here'. We are indeed Fyfe. This is another big belter of a song and 'the world is our carpet now'. What I think that means is we can do anything if we just try. So let's get out there and do it. Now. Its uplifting. Its high inducing. We're here!

We couldn't possibly maintain that level of momentumn so we fall right back to earth with the very minimalist and out of tune 'blue would still be blue'. I won't be listening to that one again.

Side 4 : 'Annie, let's not wait' is another really busy song, full of strings, drums, synthesisers and voices. Its a good beat and the background vocals remind me of Abba. Its a song i like and will probably like more.

'And if all' is a short quiet bridge onto our next song, the closer; Sao Paulo. Bells are ringing. It starts slowly and it builds. And then it slows again. Its good. I like it. Its almost a summary of the album. The piano helps it sound like a Tori Amos track. And then it goes all over the place. But then it settles down again. Then we turn into Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Kind of. That's the end of the album.

So let's see, I like about half the songs on the album, which means musically I'm going to give this a three. Bear in mind though, some of them are classics. If they had shaved the time of the album, there'd be a higher score. The guillemots are really ambitious. Sometimes they succeed. Sometimes they don't.

Through the windowpane is an album full of big bold melodies and behind that there is loads going on. It seems to be the kind of album that will reveal more and more and will be loved more and more.

Recording quality and vinyl quality are variable. I think the master lacquer was probably fine, and the grooves are nicely spaced, but the pressing plant wasn't. Disappointing. Packagaing is impeccable. Nice gatefold. 2 inner picture sleeves and a big booklet.