The gig included Jay Jay Pistolet, Wave Machines, and Noah and the Whale (Natw), all playing for a hidden gig at the Freedm Studio (at Camden’s Roundhouse) for the Crisis homeless charity. The studio itself is a small space, perfect for an intimate show. I much preferred hearing Jay Jay Pistolet and NatW in this intimate setting, than the massive Shepherds Bush Empire, filled with screaming/shouting fans.
The last time I saw Noah and the Whale, I wished I’d heard them with Laura Marling still in the line up, but now I realize that her departure has allowed them to evolve away from their first album, into something other than folk. Now I hear twangs of The Cure, Sigur Ros and even Mazzy Star interwoven into NatW’s melancholic melodies and riffs. Since their last London show, I could hear that they’ve now worn in their new tracks, which sound alot more settled and organic than before.
I would offer more of their new stuff, but as I’d prefer you all to go see them and buy their new album in August, I’ll give you a single taster:
Noah_and_the_Whale_-_Love_Of_An_Orchestra.mp3
ps - you can download the title track off their new album (FOR FREE!!) off their website (http://www.noahandthewhale.com/FDOS.html), so do yourself a favour and go have a listen!
June 30th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Hey dude. Love your website and I have to give you credit for helping me out.
Unfortunately I really agree that I would have liked to see them live on their original album tour. I gave them a really unfavorable review.
http://musicbirdscheerios.blogspot.com/2009/04/concert-review-noah-and-whale-april_29.html
(PS: I used your music live song here)
Honestly I hated the live performance because they just didn’t pull off the songs because of the instruments used.
However, I totally love the title track even through I couldn’t stand the live version
http://musicbirdscheerios.blogspot.com/2009/06/song-of-day-noah-and-whale-f.html
Btw I love your site and would love you to check out my Noah and the Whale articles as you helped with inspiration.
I added you as a link on my site