Top 40(+2) in pictures: Guillemots/French Kicks

Picture (c) Amy Whitehouse

Today's tracks are a study in contrasts.

There's #20: French Kicks - So Far We Are immediately followed by #21: The Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43 (their numeral or ranking not mine).

So Far We Are - launches with spaced-out repetitive chiming chords and then drums straight out of 'Bullet the Blue Sky' - all pulse-quickening snare and bass drum kicks. Anthemic is the word we like to use. Punch your fists to the sky in time to the music.

But... but... but the Brooklyn band scuttles it all with mewling half-felt lyrics, punctuated with the completely unrabble-rousing, "It's alright? Alright."

And instead of flying too close to the sun, the song fizzles along and gives a desultory hipster finger to the need to soar. In a year in which my passions and energy were largely conflicted and rejiggering, or more positively, shall we say, preparing for a great 2007, So Far We Are hit the mark more than I'd care to admit.

On the opposite side of that emotional state: Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43.

"I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's poetry, in an empty coke can.
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's majesty, in a burnt out caravan."

Builds up through a hopeful first verse. Almost as if he's telling this to a girl he's met and really likes, and doesn't know how she'll how she'll respond. The first chorus ends with

"I love you I don't think you care..."

And then the music builds through the next verse - much more hopeful but the Guillemot's crush is still keeping him in suspense.

Until the soaring final chorus lets him off the hook. In fact, it lashes the hook to some fireworks and lets them light up the night sky. Joyous reaching for the stars ensues. Lloyd Dobler bowing to each of the four winds in thanks as he leaves after a wondrous first date with Diane Court.

Perfectly capturing that moment when you find out that the girl you secretly hope likes you actually *does* like you back.

And then the coda. Holding her tight and whispering back

"Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you..."

It's such a rare and wonderful and intoxicating way to feel, isn't it? We should always be so lucky.

thanks again to Amy Whitehouse for the great shot of French Kicks. please visit here at AmyWhitehouse.com.