'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' is as subtle an uplifter as they come really. There are ways in which an uplifting song can come. You can take the Beatles-Queen-Rolling Stones route of raptuous sing-a-long anthems, which do have the effect of putting a smile on your face. But what Noah and the Whale achieve is in some ways more applaudable - a subtle hand on the shoulder and a soft voice in the ear saying "Everything's going to be alright".
'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' gets over the awkward spelling of the words to prove to be a fine little track, a plodding beat, pleasantly mellow guitar notes drifting over and the smooth vocals of Noah like a warm blanket around an aching heart. There's the touches of indie folk that this band pioneered before Mumford and Sons shot to stardom with it, and there is beauty in the reassuring lyrics 'What you don't have now will come back again/You've got heart and you go in your own way'. Orchestra strings lift into a mild swell and it all makes for a great mellow song.
Try putting this in your headphones in a down moment and shut your eyes, you'll see that Belle and Sebastian-like lifting style coursing through their mellow beats. Noah and the Whale have that about them; any quick glances at folky debut 'Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down' and more indie, story-driven second release 'The First Days of Spring' prove there is more to this band than the sickly sweet sing-a-long '5 Years Time'.
New album 'Last Night on Earth' is out next week and is rightly being anticipated - there has been alot of attention from the cornerstones of the music press in Q and NME, with 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' proving there is something there to look out for. Despite this being their third release, they are yet to really strike out at the mainstream. But they don't say third time lucky for nothing.
A good little track, and here is 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' from Noah and the Whale.
NWR
No comments:
Post a Comment