Back to Mine Album Reviews

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AMG Review

The Back to Mine series started as a way for DJs and electronica or electronica-leaning artists to compile some of their favorite late-night songs (the first volume, by Nick Warren, was released in February of 1999 and artists like Morcheeba, Faithless, Danny Tenaglia, Tricky, and Underworld have all followed suit). While it's true the Guillemots do incorporate a variety of different styles into their music, and that many previous bands didn't necessarily stick to downbeat or techno -- Audio Bullys, for example, had a particularly rock heavy set -- the Guillemots are the first true rock or pop band to put their name on the Back to Mine cover. Some of the choices on here make a lot of sense, like Joan as Police Woman's (with whom Guillemots toured) "The Ride," Liars' "The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack," and even Sonic Youth's "Providence," but others, while they assuredly hold meaning for at least some of the members, hardly fit with the rest of the selections or the band's sound (Roots Manuva's "Witness (I Hope)" and Raphael Saadiq's "Still Ray" being the most prominent examples). All of which means that this specific installment of Back to Mine works better for someone who wants to listen to what Guillemots like, not necessarily music that sounds like Guillemots or even a particularly cohesive mix. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide