They say time is a great healer and Noah and the Whale’s showcase of new material from upcoming album Last Night On Earth this evening could not have proved this point further. The previous release of lyrically raw and musically pared-down First Days of Spring saw the band deviate away from the jovial folk-pop sound with which they were initially associated; lead singer Charlie Fink’s break up with folk contemporary Laura Marling was believed to be the driving force behind this change. However, eighteen months later the group have returned with a vigour that will surprise even their biggest fans.
‘Life is Life’ grabs the audience’s attention from the off, with unfamiliar loop beats and heavier riffs emanating from the stage; the only remaining hint of the twee style that threaded throughout their debut album are the lovingly haggard rugs that adorn the floor. Fink struts around with a confidence that was rarely beheld in performances of past, and as he belts out the lyric “he’s gonna change his pace”, it could not seem more fitting. ‘Tonight’s the Night’ demonstrates that the power pop feel heard in their newer tracks is well and truly here to stay, although the country twang demonstrated by the vocals provides an enduring association with their older sound. The band seem to really relish this new-found vitality and ‘Give It All Back’, which Charlie describes as “a song for kids who believe in rock and roll” encapsulates you in such a happy fervour that you feel you could just as easily be skipping along carefree on a warm summer’s day.
Photo by Rachel Lipsitz
However, upbeat wasn’t the entire plan for the evening and inclusions into the set list of melancholy and poignant tracks from their second album certainly affects the atmosphere in the room. Whilst the haunting ‘First Days of Spring’ causes an eery hush to fall over the bewitched crowd, more desolate tracks ‘I Have Nothing’ and ‘My Door is Always Open’ fail to have the same effect and the noise from various audience members’ conversations sadly dampens any real impression these songs might have created otherwise. Luckily, Charlie soon declares “we’re going to play some songs you can dance along to, if you like”, and ‘Rocks and Daggers’ rejuvenates the mood suitably. ‘Five Years Time’, as always, produces a roar of appreciation from the crowd, although this could soon find itself replaced as fan favourite by new single ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N’. The upbeat lyrics and catchy melody induce a mass singalong and even gets people sitting on their friends’ shoulders (something I never thought I’d see at a Noah gig) and this sense of jubilation ultimately creates the perfect end to the evening.
Tonight certainly marks the start of a new phase in Noah and the Whale’s career, but it is far from unwelcome. The response is hugely positive both from the crowd and the band members themselves, all of whom seem far more assertive and involved than on previous occassions; violinist Tom Hobden in particular steps to the forefront by assisting on vocal duties.
Their development as a band as they perform tracks from each of their three albums tonight is apparent, and their newly acquired desire to experiment with sounds and styles is at times subtle, but admirable nonetheless. I for one, cannot wait to see how these guys evolve from here on and sincerely hope that they retain the confidence to continue doing so.
This review was originally posted on www.culturedeluxe.com
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