PopSyndicate.com

Don’t let the name fool you.

This fantastic debut from a British group of four men -accompanied at times by a vocalist- and their debut song is a treat.  Called 5 Years Time, it boasts of sun, sun, sun, and fun, fun, fun much like The Beach Boys. The entire Peaceful the World Lays Me Down album is going to do well.

The tune begins with a whistling intro that leads into the song:  what’s happened already and where will we be in five years time? we used to smoke those funny little cigarettes and drink cheap wine. The lyrics are simple, down-to-earth words; there’s nothing “deep” here.  The video, seen on their Web site http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale, shows the foursome cavorting about on a makeshift stage.  It was probably taped in someone’s basement because the backdrop looks like satins sheets that were hung in disarray and hurried.

Fans of Noah and the Whale (NATW) have pushed the song up the British charts amongst the fearsome and overwhelming barrage of bands that are all pushing to be No. 1.  They use a variety of instruments and sounds that you don’t often see mixed together in fame-seeking bands:  a ukulele, humming, violin, drums, whistling and hand clapping.  They aren’t ashamed of the group and the antics through which they have reached a wide British audience. 

The album is pure rock and reminds me of The Beatles in a way. The beat of the drummer is reminiscent of Ringo and the harmonies of the group are similar to Beatles’ tunes like “Penny Lane.” Their harmony is provided by the female singer, Laura Marling, who has done quite well for herself with her own albums.  In fact, NATW backed her up on her solo album and wrote many of the songs.  Lead singer, Charlie Fink, writes most of the songs and did so for Laura’s album, Cross Your Fingers.

Noah and the Whale is for all who like the feel of music from the 60s and 70s.  The sounds are a bit of nostalgia, with a modern edge.  They’re pushing, unwillingly at times according to an article in the London Sunday Times (http://www.entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4423486.ece) to be on top and hope their sounds will have an effect on an American audience.  I liked the music with 5 Years Time a favorite.

Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down will debut in the United States in September through Cherry Tree Records (http://www.cherrytreerecords.com).

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