Noah & The Whale : The First Days of Spring (album review)
Released 31 Aug 09
***
I would love to get my hands on the Blue Flowers time machine… those guys seemed right on the money, and to be honest I’m a little suspicious. For those who don’t know, the George pub in Chiswick, West London once played host to a one-a-month-hungover-sunday type event where for a few quid you could sip your hair of the dog and watch a few bands play… the early stomping ground of such luminaries as Jamie T, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Noah & the Whale and countless others.
So, it’s great to see how far Noah have come since those early rough shows featuring Laura Marling as humble backing vocalist, dreaming her little dreams and plotting her future. In my opinion Noah’s first album was a hit and miss affair, some radio-friendly folk pop unconvincingly sat among wandering ballads. Since then it’s been turmoil in the nu-folk world… Charlie (Noah front man) and Laura Marling are no longer together. Laura and Marcus (Mumford) are.
The First Days Of Spring charts the emotional turmoil of the relationship, from those first heady days of young love (First Days Of Spring) through the agony of separation, sadness (I Have Nothing), desperation (My Broken Heart), and eventually acceptance (My Door Is Always Open). Charlie’s lyrics are sometimes cliched and simplistic but always heartfelt, you don’t need to be a poet to write meaning. Musically, the album is leaps and bounds past the debut… full, lush orchestra, acoustic sparkling through timeless chord changes providing a sweet backdrop to a cracked and broken voice. More akin to Sigur Ros & Fanfarlo in places. Having seen the band battle through a set at Koko recently on borrowed equipment (their trailer was stolen days before) and against a disrespectful and noisy crowd, I am excited to see the developments… more electric, more edge but still that sweetness which few bands are able to pull off. All in all this album has some beautiful and tender moments, a journey which will help mend a troubled heart.
Get the album from Amazon and iTunes
Download: TheFirstDaysOfSpring.mp3
