Guillemots are a bit of a mystery. They are undoubtedly my favourite band of all time but it's hard to say why. Let's do some research, see what we can find out, and try to throw some light on the band and their music. First of all, they are named after a seabird. Guillemot: /ˈɡiləˌmät/ noun…Read more Guillemots
2000s
Flowers in the Window
It's Spring here in England. A time for the grass to grow, the flowers to blossom and the birds to build their nests. Right on cue, a pair of blue tits has taken possession of the nesting box on our garage wall. Like them, Mrs Crotchety and I are making a new home for ourselves and I…Read more Flowers in the Window
End To End
Some bands I like, some bands I love. If I love them I'll buy several of their albums; if I only like them I try to find a Best Of... CD and maybe one or two download tracks. Blondie I like. At least, I like most of what they were doing in the eighties. I…Read more End To End
Valerie
Most of the boxes have been unpacked and our new home is fit for a few select visitors. I'm not going to invite the Queen just yet, but family and friends are welcome. I would also be pleased to see the Zutons and their friend Valerie so that I can tell them how much I…Read more Valerie
Books From Boxes
Last week we moved house. This week we'll be unpacking many of our belongings. With a bit of luck we might even find our books somewhere at the back of bedroom 3. If we do I'll put on Maximo Park's Books From Boxes. This is the track from the Earthly Pleasures album that first piqued…Read more Books From Boxes
Leaders of the World
Nearly 10 years ago now a new song on the radio interrupted my idle thoughts. After a few quiet drum beats a gritty bass line cut in like a teacher's voice. "Pay attention, children!", it said. Dutifully, I sat up and listened. The authoritarian voice of the teacher started to sing - "I'm sick of working for a…Read more Leaders of the World
Love Song #43
It will be Valentines Day on Saturday, so let's have a love song as my track of the week. I've got plenty to choose from - most pop songs seem to be about romantic love - but I don't want anything too sentimental. I think Made Up Love Song #43 by Guillemots fits the bill. As…Read more Love Song #43
King Crimson
They say, if you invent a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door. I think there is some truth in that, but it has to be a much better mousetrap. Fortunately, there are a few examples of products that are so desirable that they hardly need to be promoted at all: the Morgan sports car, the…Read more King Crimson
Side
This blog is the story of my journey through the hills and valleys of the land we call Music. On my travels I have already come across a shape with three sides (Alt-J, "the alternative triangle band") and one with five sides (Pentangle, whose trees they do grow high). It's hard to imagine a shape…Read more Side
Crotchety Man 