At first listen, there was something about Guillemots that left me feeling slightly unsettled, if nonetheless generally upbeat. I suppose it's just that they hadn't fully converted me yet, but I found it hard to believe that this goofy little band of multi-national origins was really going to be able to live up to the hype. I still have my doubts. Certainly the From the Cliffs EP has it's fair share of moments, and both of their singles ("Trains to Brazil" and "Made Up Lovesong #43") have been pleasant, but for a group that is ostensibly taking on the Beta Band's sadly vacated territory, they have some awfully large, sequin-encrusted clown shoes to fill. "Who Left the Lights Off, Baby?" shows that they may be up to the challenge.

The danger with this sort of pop music is always with falling into the traps of the average and safe. I can imagine Badly Drawn Boy or even Travis playing this song, but neither would manage to do it with the same aplomb or breeziness. Guillemots aren't taking themselves too seriously, and that works in their favor. Lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield emotes well for the verses, but when he hits that chorus, it's pure Super Furry Animals pop bliss, complete with the chorus of background vocals and electronic elements. Again, though, the band leaves it looser than the Furries tend to, letting that piano line dance a bit and closing with a great sax solo. They're just having fun with great pop. I suppose that's the real legacy of the Beta Band: playfulness. This has some of that same spirit.

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