Band : Noah And The Whale
Album title : Last Night On Earth
Label : Vertigo Records – Cooperative Music
Distributor : V2 Benelux
Release date : 04/04/2011
Release : CD

Citing both Punk Rock and Folk music as influences, NATW is a Twickenham (London) based English band which was founded in 2006. To be honest, although the band is already at its third album, this was my introduction to their music, which has been compared to that of Neutral Milk Hotel, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Bele & Sebastian! A nice introduction it was too...but first some historical facts?

The core of NATW consists of mastermind Charlie Fink (lead vocals, guitar, ukelele), Tom Hobden (fiddle), Matt Owens (bass) and Fred Abbott (guitars, keyboards – joined in 2009). Until mid-2008 Laura Marling was a member of the band, performing with 'em when the schedule from her solo career allowed. Lillie Flynn (sister of singer Johnny Flynn) and Rebecca Taylor (Slow Club) occasionally fell in as female backing singers during tours, and Emmy The Great (now a celebrated solo artist) sang with the band for short periods. Following the release of a threesome of singles (one during 2007) the band saw their debut album Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down (already through Vertigo) on the streets in August 2008, with Marling still performing the female vocal backings. The album, which got mainly positive critical acclaim, shot to the #5 position in the Official UK Album Chart. Work on sophomore album The First Days Of Spring and the album-length film by the same name, was started in January 2009, and released in August of the same year. Due to a somewhat painful but inspiring separation from Marling, Fink had decided not to use any female backing vocals on the album, and take a slightly different musical direction from the band's original sound. Prior to the album's release, two singles were issued, and original drummer Doug Fink (brother of Charlie) left the band to pursue a career in medicine. He was temporarily replaced by Jack Hamson of Pull Tiger Tail. Around the same time the band recruited Fred Abbott o additional guitar and piano/ keyboards. While touring the UK in promotion of the album, the band's gear was stolen...and luckily recovered later in the year. Off this album, the track “Give A Little Love” was used in an episode of television series Cougar Town, and pre-album release single “Blue Skies” was used in the series One Tree Hill.

News about the band going back to the studio to record their 3rd album came as early as January 2010, and although it only contains 10 tracks for a total of about 33 ½ minutes, it sure took a while to get released, compared to the first two album (part of that may have had to do with the fact that the guys eventually traveled all the way to Los Angeles to record the album with Jason Lader of Julian Casablancas and The Mars Volta fame)! Not that I'm complaining about the material itself, mind you!! Announced as an album with more 'upbeat' songs, there's also a strong narrative side to the album which Fink confesses to be inspired by both Lou Reed's 1973 album Berlin, as well as Tom Waits' 1992 album Bone Machine. And with Fink's (sightly nasal and slightly hoarse) voice signature, there's more than one similarity floating around. Some of the songs have a really high sing-along factor (say anthemic), others have some really strong guitar lines in 'em, yet others are almost piano ballads...but the underlaying common thread is a strong Pop feel with an additional cinematic affinity. Oh...surprise: there's again female backing vocals on this album, performed by Jen Turner from Here We Go Magic, and gospel vocals by the legendary Waters Sisters (known for their performance as backing singers to Michael Jackson's “Wanna Be Starting Something”). Additional guest musicians on the album include Black Crowes' Adam McDougall (on Moog and Rhodes organ) and renowned percussionist Lenny Castro.

To get acquainted with the new album, you're almost better off checking the album's page at any of the trusted online sales outlets, because at least they'll give you 30-second samples to àll album tracks. Still, you'll find full length versions of one track, and a video to the album's first single “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” at (www.) myspace.com/noahandthewhale. By the way, the band is currently on tour, starting the European leg on April 6 at Utrecht (Holland) 's Tivoli. No Belgian date mentioned, but Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany (in the first place) are on the list. As for my personal appreciation of the album...while it is nót among my favourites, I can certainly listen to music like this and enjoy it to a certain degree! Won't ever make my year-lists though!!!

80/100

Tony.