Peaceful The World Lays Me Down - Music (Noah And The Whale)

Twickenham’s Noah And The Whale name themselves in honour of director Noah Baumbach’s 2005 feature The Squid And The Whale, which feels strangely appropriate: post Juno, no indie flick would quite feel complete without a soundtrack like Peaceful The World Lays Me Down--sensitive, homespun indie-folk that blends the tremulous intimacy of Jeffrey Lewis and Adam Green with an occasional grand breadth reminiscent of the Arcade Fire or some other such act with symphonic tendencies and big ideas. Vocalist Charlie Fink is your emotional guide, his quavering, expectant voice the perfect vehicle to the likes of “5 Atoms In A Molecule” and “Shape Of My Heart”, songs of romantic longing (and in time-honoured indie-flick style, this geek always gets his girl). The girl in question, incidentally, is Laura Marling, the young folk songstress who made her debut with Noah And The Whale before moving on to solo success: her voice is more conventionally strong than Fink’s, adding emotional lift at crucial moments, but even as Fink’s voice wavers, his words swell with resolve. As he sings on the gorgeous “Give A Little Love”, “Life is fleeting/But I love you”.--Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews of Peaceful The World Lays Me Down

Deadpixie
UK
11th November 2008

Better than the single
I feel that the album is actually better overall than the single - tho can only be pleased that the single brought attention. It is a considerable accolade to say that the sound reminds me of one of the best indie bands for many years - Neutral Milk Hotel.

johnnie's mum
Glasgow, Scotland
2nd November 2008

Will still love it in 5 years time
I bought tickets to see them live in Glasgow last week based on hearing 5 years time. Absolutely loved them. Think they are bit of Jonathan Richman meets the Waterboys sound but they were a true delight. Bought the album after seeing them - uplifting, energising and sensitive. Played it constantly. Love it to death! Think the videos are mental but sweet and make me smile.

Dr. R. S. Bailey

2nd September 2008

noah and the whale
Heard this at a virgin record shop, bought it on the spot, a truly stunning cd. wonderful clear lyrics a must for any record collection

Mr. T. Ford

21st August 2008

Give it a try!
I can't agree with the last reviewer who stated that there is one good song and ten whiney ones. That is far from the mark. Some reviews on here may put people off this album because they make out that it is a 'whingey folk album' which paints it as a singer with acoustic guitar scenario. This is wrong. There ARE the odd song like that but they are always supplemented by the gentle backing of Laura Marling. And then you have the other songs which make great use of all manner of instruments. I won't mention 5 years time as everyone knows it by now. The other single Shape of my heart has some nice mexican horns etc, Rocks & Daggers (the best song on the album) has some fiddle and some nice changes in tempo, 2 atoms is another up tempo number. I can see how this album would irritate people, but I think there is more to it than meets the eye. Give it a go, at least listen to it from start to finish before saying it's rubbish! I Like the Wes Anderson inspired videos as well!

nji1000
Chichester, UK
20th August 2008

1 fluffy fun song and 10 whining ones
I bought this on the strength of "five years time" thinking it would run in much the same vein throughout. How wrong I was. Its folk, so there is plenty of opportunity to be miserable whilst strumming a guitar.

Very disappointed and I've returned my CD already.