British band Noah and the Whale has previously claimed to have no real ambition in the music world. Besides continual performances at local venues, they saw no real future until the release of their 2008 debut album, "Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down." Singles such as "Shape of My Heart" and "5 Years Time" have inadvertently caught the attention of many listeners. Their schedule of gigs and interviews has grown nonstop alongside their fame.
The band formed in 2006 in London, England, and members include Charlie Fink (vocals, guitar), Doug Fink (drums), Tom Hobden (fiddle) and Matt "Urby Whale" Owens (bass). Writer and musician Charlie Fink comes up with most of the lyrics to their music, which is described both as folk and punk rock. Oftentimes, he receives inspiration from his own past experiences and philosophies on life, as well as his ex-girlfriend and former band member, Laura Marling. Colorful clothing may constitute half of their signature style, but the other half lies in the simplicity and sincerity of Noah and the Whale's lyrics.
"Shape of My Heart" reveals the advantage of having a calloused and bent heart. The positive angle is that a person loses the ability to be affected by adverse situations or daily struggles. By avoiding any sort of growth or show of emotion, the speaker leads a passable sort of life. The problem is that in order to change and live, a person has to feel what it is to suffer and die. An undercurrent of sadness pervades the song, but Fink leaves a positive message for his listeners. A person must accept hardships in order to improve their character.
"5 Years Time" is about a fictitious yet universal relationship between two people. Fink avoids the generic love song by adding small details such as going to the zoo, making jokes and smoking. Because of these personal touches, the song becomes both original and relatable to all sorts of audiences. The most memorable phrase is when Fink says he no longer feels like he has to be James Dean in order to catch her attention. He lists the worst that could happen to the relationship toward the end of the song: They may no longer be on speaking terms, they might not know each other or get along, yet he believes that "in five years time, you just might prove me wrong." There is a chance it might all turn out OK. This spark of hope adds a special flavor to the song. Despite its sad undertones, Fink leaves something happy for the audience to hold on to, which is part of what makes their music so appealing.
So far, Noah and the Whale has appeared in many festivals, including Leeds, Latitude, SXSW, V Festival and Glastonbury. "5 Years Time" has also been used in both Topshop and Starbucks advertisement campaigns. The band had planned a 2008 tour of the United States, but timing and the development of a new record forced them to cancel. It was to take place around the time of Lollapalooza. Perhaps spring 2009 will see the arrival of this up and coming band - stay tuned!
