You know that really rare and totally priceless feeling when you hear a great album for the first time? Well, this is one of those. What, Noah and the Whale? I hear you cry. Makers of twee, folk-laden indie-pop who sang with blondey Laura whats-her-face on their first album? Yup. Boys and girls this record is a work of art.
So shock number one out of the way. Here’s a couple more things that you shouldn’t let put you off giving it a go: firstly, it’s a break up album and secondly it kind of verges on being a concept album. If you can resist the urge to run away with your fingers in your ears screaming “LA LA LA” at these revelations, I assure you, you’re in for a treat.
From the first chords of opening title track ‘The First Days of Spring’ you’re awakened to the beautiful production that really makes this album so impressive. It’s all strings, dramatic drums and delicate guitars. “I’m still dreaming that one day you may come back”, croons Charlie Fink, followed by a musical interlude that’s just, quite simply, wow.
It’s a cliche, but the band really have grown a lot since debut Peaceful The World Lays Me Down. On that, Finks vocals were good but nothing outstanding. On this, the husky and deep tones that he possesses really come to life. Alongside the stunning musical production it’s incredibly heartfelt – “I have nothing, I have no-one” – he sings in the tender ‘I Have Nothing’.
At this point it might be worth pointing out that the over-emotional/hormonal/recently single out there could quite easily shed a tear listening to this.
But what makes the album so impressive is that although it is undeniably sorrowful, it doesn’t have that depressing oh-god-somebody-pass-me-a-knife-so-I-can-slit-my-wrists feel to it. It’s moving rather than sickening self-pity. ‘My Broken Heart’ is testament to this. With it’s gorgeous bluesy guitar, stirring strings and rousing horns you’ve got to be pretty heartless to not be touched by it.
‘Instrumental I’, which leads into ‘Love of an Orchestra’ is the peak of the emotional rollercoaster. Reminiscent of something you might hear on a movie soundtrack (there is actually an accompanying film) – it’s impossible to listen to this and not have a ridiculous smile on your face. “I know I’ll never be lonely, I’ve got songs in my blood” – just brilliant. The triumphant choir vocals and classical-leaning upbeat strings and percussion are totally irresistible.
Fink guides us methodically through the trials and tribulations of a breakup. From the tears to the reflection and then onto hope, the songs tell the story perfectly and it’s something that nearly all of us can relate to. ‘Stranger’ continues this journey to ‘getting over it’ – “you know in a year, it’s gonna be better, you know in a year I’m gonna be happy”.
Next track ‘Blue Skies’ oozes inspiration and that choir are back again to provide that extra bit of support. And they do their job oh so well. The departures of Laura Marling and Emmy The Great may have left people wondering how the female-vocal hole would be filled. But believe me, it’s more than filled – you’ll forget they ever existed in the first place.
This album is a narrative and you need to pay attention to really appreciate its beauty (it’s not suited to the ‘shuffle’ function). But honestly, it’s well worth the effort. Noah and the Whale have totally outdone themselves with this one.
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There have been many songs or artists throughout my life that are significant or relevant to specific girlfriends, which I imagine is the same for many. Once things have fallen apart there is always a reminder of that person, and time spent together, within the music you've shared. Eventually that feeling and connection of sentimentality fades, at which point the music just becomes about the music again, and not overtly relevant of a time or person who once meant something to you. Sure, there are still songs that will always have a special sort of tie to the few people I've loved, but as a whole, once you meet someone else you start to develop new shared connections and the cycle starts again.
Anyway, what I'm getting at is, I've been nursing a pretty bad break up recently and I've been going through everything above. I struggle to listen to Bon Iver (yes, it's cliche) or Okkervil River without being reminded of SJ. Slowly getting past that though. Noah and the Whale were never a band we really cared for mutually (I didn't really care for them at all) on the level that we both cared for Shout Out Louds or Camera Obscura for example. But with the context of this album being as it is, it feels more relevant and significant to our relationship, and its demise, than any other band I had watched or listened to whilst with SJ. To be honest, it's great. It's the first time where I have really felt that a musician has gone through something that I've gone through, and at the same time in our lives. If I was ever going to have a connection like this to a record I wouldn't have banked on it being by Noah and the Whale. Right now, this is exactly want I want to be listening to, as it resonates with me without having any specific sentimental ties to mine and SJ's relationship. It's just cathartic, and I can really relate to it. Definitely an album that works as a collection of songs from start to finish, rather than as standalone tracks. But if I had to choose, 'Stranger' is a great reminder than things move on, and this void that is left after a break-up will soon be filled with another special person.
Shit, that was way too emotional, deep and open for a Friday morning! The review is spot on. I'll just be interested to see how I feel about this album in a year.
Sounds like you need a beer
Haha, yeah maybe. Might be best to wait until at least 11am to delve into the ale.
the only song I really like at the moment is the title track. the rest seems okay, but lacks a real sense of inspiration. Inferior break-up album to Midnight Organ Fight too. ;)
I'm becoming mildly fond of it, it's pretty damm ok.
They were great and greenman, allthough they do have a rather odd drummer.
Did anybody else find them completely rubbish and inauable at Reading?
I'm becoming mildly fond of it, it's pretty damm ok.
They were great and greenman, allthough they do have a rather odd drummer.
Did anybody else find them completely rubbish and inauable at Reading?
i found them strange at reading.
they seemed pissed off. he barely said 1 word to the crowd and the y didnt play mary, rocs and dagger, stranger, etc. even 5 years time he didnt play.
It’s because they’ve gone all serious and pretentious and bollocks, I reckon they just played this album right the way through.