Noah And The Whale
09.10.09
Noah And The Whale are stalwarts of the British indie folk scene. Hailing from Twickenham the band is currently touring their second album 'The First Days of Spring' which is the follow up to their debut 'Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down'. Having played with the great and the not so good of the current folk crop their new album raises the bar for their contemporaries and puts Noah And The Whale lengths ahead of the competition.
http://www.noahandthewhale.com
http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
He Said
I got the call from her that tickets for Noah And The Whale at the Koko came through. Their recent album 'The First Days of Spring' plays out the demise of lead singer Charlie Finks relationship with Laura Marling. I'm an old romantic at heart, brought up on rom-coms, angst and musicals. Granted, I lie, cheat and steal my way in to the affections of the fairer sex - but give me a good break up album and I lock myself away in my room, turn the lights down low, scatter old photos of past loves and pour over each lyric and note until the red wine runs out.
So as she accompanies me in walking to the gig, I fully expect to be rendered useless from the first chord. Welling up at the sheer thought of unrequited love reminiscent of Casey Lousier-Sampson in Year 6 of Shamans Cross Junior School, I turn to her with expectant eyes and a wilted heart longing for support and I get:
'Get that ridiculous look off your face and hurry the fuck up'
So we get into the Koko and instantly I know she isn't happy. I can spot these subtle signs from her. Like telling security to 'go fuck themselves' under her breath - after he says the outrageous statement of 'have a good night'. It sets a tone that would be hard to shake for rest of the evening.
Tonight's crowd is split down the middle like the opinions of the x factor twins (oh fuck off... like you don't watch it). On one side you have the couples who have turned out in linked arms and shared hearts. Even for a romantic like me it takes all my strength not to projectile vomit. On the other side of the fence are rowdy crowds who seem intent on simply talking through the whole gig regardless of how many people are here for the heartfelt lyrics.
When Noah And The Whale walk on, one half of the crowd raises heartbeats, while the other half raises their glasses. I hope at this point I don't have to explain which particular side of the fence my companion and I fall.
The bands set is peppered with the new album and its all the better for it. The couple to the right of us seem to like the songs so much they have decided to conceive their first child right there on Koko's floor. Charlie and the rest of the band in fact are engaging and entertaining. Between song banter said in hush low baritones.
I must admit even I was a little under whelmed by Noah And The Whale this evening - mainly as I was standing next to Elizabeth Taylor in a bad mood so it was hard to concentrate. I would be a liar if I said that in my weaker moments and in the dead of night when consumption has put pay to conception I haven't rang up my ex-girlfriends and played the entirety of 'The First Days of Spring' down the answering machine... But we have all done that haven't we... Haven't we???... Wait come back...
She Said
Yeah, we went to Noah And The Whale at Koko. The audience consisted purely of couples looking gooie eyed at each other, and kissing at particular lyrics, giving knowing looks. It made me feel sick. Then I went home.
