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Gig Review

Noah and the Whale
Roundhouse (Album Launch)

Article written by Mary B - Aug 24, 2008

I arrive at the Roundhouse for the Noah and the Whale album launch with great expectations for the evening. This could be due to the two glasses of wine that I have already consumed and the fact that I've managed to find a venue without a satnav. The reality is I know that I am in the company of magic before I'm in the company of Noah and the Whale because I've already heard the album.

The crowd support tonight are a mixed bunch. They're from all walks of life with the odd yellow and blue accessories flowing from their bodies. The team colours for Noah and the Whale you know. I find my seat at the table and soak in the atmosphere as the folky pop band, Planet Earth work their way through their set. I haven't got my glasses on but even I can see that we have a Donovan for this decade in their lead singer. He's charming and modest with a donovanesque voice and as I sip my drink I decide that I shall go seek out the trio for further investigation at a later date.

Then it's on to the Dodge Brothers. If you can dodge them, do. It's not that they're bad. If you like a bit of classic americana with a celebrity injecton of Mark Kermode then go see. It's a respectable enough set but the numbers start to sound repetitive after two songs. Only so many trains can be rid, lovers left and cats be killed before I decide to leave the room to peruse the original and rather splendid album art work on display that complements each Noah and the Whale song and get another drink. Still I suppose The Dodge Brothers are good fun and energetic, if you like americana on a loop.

And then to the main act and purpose of the night. Four boys named Charlie, Doug, Urby and Tom, 11 songs and oh, several reasons to love them. I am told beforehand that they are going to play the album in a chronological fashion and as the first song matches the first track on the album I settle back for a set that quite literally blows me away. From '2 atoms in a molecule' I am hooked on the simplicity and yet intricate details of the song. Charlie Fink knows how to creep into your heart with lyrics that combine science with love.

Track after track the musicianship on display is impressive and engaging and my eyes only turn away to marvel at the way that the crowd around me are singing the words from '5 years time' to each other (with supporting actions). I haven't seen these kind of manouevres since I saw Wham back in the 80's.

Noah and the Whale are a young band with wise heads on their shoulders. The subject matter and the compositions belong to musicians twice their age and yet their performance tonight is so confident that it's like they have been doing this all their young lives. When 'Give a little love' is played it almost swells my heart as I am lost in a moment of music magic.

After a near perfect performance of their album (highlights include 'Shape of my heart' and 'Second lover') people stamp their feet for an encore as Charlie jokes, 'There can be no encore for I've played you the album!' but there is an encore and it is a taste of what is to come. A mesmerising performance of one new song to whet the appetite of an audience thirsty for more.

Then it is the end, unfortunately, and time to go. I have been in the company of greatness and frighteningly I believe that this is not Noah and the Whale at their full potential if their new material is anything to go by.

Charlie Fink is a Byronesque type figure who paints a world of misery and helplessness and yet manages to smile when I tell him that he is an old man as he sips a cup of tea from a Noah and the Whale mug. It doesn't get more rock and roll than that I decide as I skip off into the darkness of London town. How such pain and anguish, via music and lyrics, can bring such pleasure I cannot tell but the pleasure stays with me for days afterwards.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale