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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Twickenham’s Noah And The Whale name themselves in honour of director Noah Baumbach’s 2005 feature The Squid And The Whale, which feels strangely appropriate: post Juno, no indie flick would quite feel complete without a soundtrack like Peaceful The World Lays Me Down--sensitive, homespun indie-folk that blends the tremulous intimacy of Jeffrey Lewis and Adam Green with an occasional grand breadth reminiscent of the Arcade Fire or some other such act with symphonic tendencies and big ideas. Vocalist Charlie Fink is your emotional guide, his quavering, expectant voice the perfect vehicle to the likes of “5 Atoms In A Molecule” and “Shape Of My Heart”, songs of romantic longing (and in time-honoured indie-flick style, this geek always gets his girl). The girl in question, incidentally, is Laura Marling, the young folk songstress who made her debut with Noah And The Whale before moving on to solo success: her voice is more conventionally strong than Fink’s, adding emotional lift at crucial moments, but even as Fink’s voice wavers, his words swell with resolve. As he sings on the gorgeous “Give A Little Love”, “Life is fleeting/But I love you”.--Louis Pattison
Review
In case you were wondering, this London-based indie-folk foursome's name is an obscure cinematic reference too convoluted and pretentious to go into here. Apparently, Noah And The Whale don't like being labelled as 'twee', but that really is the first word that will come into your head when you hear the ukulele, recorder and whistling refrain of their catchy hit ditty, 5 Years Time. Even so, the superficial chirpiness of some of their music is leavened by some ambitious brass and string arrangements and enough lyrical depth and ambiguity to make Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down more than the collection of simple love songs it initially seems to be.
The band were originally most noteworthy for having launched alt. folk singer Laura Marling on her solo career. By the time they released this debut album, she was no longer a group member, although her backing vocals haunt much of it - a definite bonus - making you wonder whether she'll continue to moonlight with them.
There's only room for one star in most bands, and that would be lead singer and songwriter Charlie Fink. With a voice best described as an acquired taste, hovering somewhere out over the mid-Atlantic, he's both the most distinctive thing about Noah And The Whale and the most difficult thing to get used to. But he does have a certain way with a tune. Early single Shape Of My Heart has a nagging melody, while both Give A little Love, the near-epic title track and the reflective closer Hold My Hand As I'm Lowered are similarly sturdy constructions which almost seem at odds with the band's
rather lightweight image. Fans of Belle & Sebastian, Arcade Fire and Bill Callahan may well enjoy this disc. --Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
But it comes from such a catchy song that you just can't help it. But now the album has been released, it's an opportunity to see if 'the song of the summer' is just a one-off or are there other gems there too. And I'm pleased to say that the album is a very welcome surprise. Noah and the Whale have crafted a quirky, original album. The lyrics are witty and perceptive and set in music that is kind of folksy-pop. The singles 5 Years Time and Shape Of My Heart do stand out but only by a notch. All together, the album is a joy to listen to and will leave you smiling. And at just over 42 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome either.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought tickets to see them live in Glasgow last week based on hearing 5 years time. Absolutely loved them. Think they are bit of Jonathan Richman meets the Waterboys sound but they were a true delight. Bought the album after seeing them - uplifting, energising and sensitive. Played it constantly. Love it to death! Think the videos are mental but sweet and make me smile.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having followed Noah and the Whale for a good few months and having seen them live a couple of times in Manchester i can safely say that they are good. Songs like "Rocks and Daggers", "Mary", "Beating" and the new single "5 Years time" will have you dancing and smiling in seconds.
Live, NATW are pretty special, working the crowds and getting everyone involved with their lively mainly upbeat music. There are also some slower and darker tones to some of the songs and lyrics and they are definately not just your typical pop group.
Including a violin, bass, drums, egg shaker(!), and glokenspiel and music box they create multi-layered sounds that can build into high energy, barn-dancing-esque madness!! This album is well worth buying and is definately going to be album of the summer whenn it eventually gets released.
Live, NATW are pretty special, working the crowds and getting everyone involved with their lively mainly upbeat music. There are also some slower and darker tones to some of the songs and lyrics and they are definately not just your typical pop group.
Including a violin, bass, drums, egg shaker(!), and glokenspiel and music box they create multi-layered sounds that can build into high energy, barn-dancing-esque madness!! This album is well worth buying and is definately going to be album of the summer whenn it eventually gets released.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
DISAPPOINTED AFTER THE HYPE
I purchased this on the strengh of the reviews that I had read and I must say that I was disapponted after all the hype. Read more
Published 4 months ago by FastHand
great stuff
I got this CD for my boyfriend as he loves the song "in five years time". I didn't know any other songs on this record. We are now playing it a lot and loving it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by T. Langenhorst
Noah Debut
With some of their best songs on here, why the hell would you not own this! (Mainly because you haven't bought it??) 5 years time and 2 Atoms in a Molecule, classics! Read more
Published 9 months ago by I write reviews on the toilet
Great!
Love this album and band.
It has a very upbeat sound, even if the lyrics are a bit artsy.
It has a very upbeat sound, even if the lyrics are a bit artsy.
Published 13 months ago by Kenny Chung
Extremely underrated and exquisitely poetic
"Peaceful The World Lays Me Down" is a truly marvellous album. Each song seems to have been written first as a poem before any form of musical influence has been discussed,... Read more
Published 19 months ago by BenW
Fascinating
I don`t remember exactly how I met the band, but I could never forgot... They`re just lovely and the songs, exciting.
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Cynthia Vanzella
Superb!
Have to say I thought this was great, bought it without a clue (it was cheap and I liked the band name) great quirky music, his voice does have a folky edge to it, I wouldn't call... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by Pj Harris
Hummable tunes for summers day
Having had `Five Years' stuck in my head for an astonishing length of time, I finally relented and bought this album when I saw it at a good price. Read more
Published on 14 July 2009 by Grr
Noah wails !
Absolutely great album. A bit morbid in places, but this is balanced by the up-beat tunes which underpin the album. Great lyrical content .... Read more
Published on 10 July 2009 by Lee Jones
Brilliant
An excellent debut album, dark lyrics picked up by wonderfully upbeat music, easily finds its way into my list of favourite albums. Read more
Published on 23 May 2009 by Slow Club Scott
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