Noah and The Whale : 'The First Days of Spring'
Released: Out Now!!!
Label: Universal Music
With the winter blues starting to set in after a wonderful, if not soggy summer, you could be forgiven for feeling totally uncaring about an album so reminiscent of spring beauty. As the descent into gloom deepens, and the dark nights draw in, your attention to all things remotely summery and happy might wane. This is where Noah and the Whales' latest effort wafts through your windows like a warm breeze, ultimately freeing you from the grasp of winters icy clutches.
The groups second LP, entitled The first day of Spring, was released on the final day of August. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not too hot on “folk” and the goings on within this genre, but even me, the most rock ‘n’ roll loving fan of aggressive tunes, style, swagger and a heavy night of drinking was moved when hearing what can only be described as a masterpiece of an opening track. Serene and beautiful, the self-titled 'First days of Spring' holds your attention with a catchy yet slow rhythm; calming your mind and inner-being to such an extent that total relaxation is felt. Imagine walking through fields of golden flowers on a hot day in utter bliss; this is the feeling that this track generates. However, the song does not resolutely stick to the twang of single, mellow notes, with Noah and the Whale demonstrating their musical genius when beautiful orchestra work is introduced to build up an epic crescendo of sound so stunning that a vision of high winds swirling seeds around a country hillside was made clear. Breath-taking.
Lyrically, the album is fairly basic. Unusually though, this is not a criticism, as they somehow offer such vivid imagery that the complicity of lyrical brilliance shown from the likes of Morrissey seems absurd. In short, they do not need to be complex. The lyrics state the subject, whilst the music expresses the detail, such is its genius.
“It’s been a while, since I stared at the stars” is one such notable line featured in 'Our Window'. Although basic, and on paper rather boring, it’s in the way that it is presented that really shows its class. It made me ask myself, “when did I last stare at the stars”? It is a wonderfully reflective line, preaching that time is valuable, and to be able to just stare at the stars, without a care in the world, is a great thing.
Other stand out tracks include the painful 'My Broken heart'; a sombre track based on the pains of heartbreak. 'Love is an Orchestra' is also a song of magnificence, incorporating a choir-like introduction and jaw-dropping melodies courtesy of an orchestra. 'Blue Skies' promises of a brighter future after the initial heartache as it develops an epic feel before building into a great anthem.
'First days of Spring' deals with the breaking down of a relationship, and the subsequent heartache and pain. In spring, Noah and the Whale have found a happy, joyful topic that contrasts greatly with the depths of despair caused by the downfalls of romance. It symbolises the start of a new beginning, a new era when old flowers die and new plants emerge from the ashes. I would even go as far as to say that it reminds me of my first time hearing the psychedelic side of the Beatles. When initially hearing 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds', I connected with the song to such an extent that the imagery made me feel like I was tripping. Although not quite containing that drug-taking element, Noah and the Whale have produced a similar feel in the way that the music epitomises the beauty of spring, thus making The First days of Spring the ultimate spring LP. Truly Magic.
Words: Alex Read
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