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.Noah and the Whale on Myspace