DVDs in Review

Noah and the Whale - First Days of Spring

Title: Noah and the Whale: The First Days of Spring

Release date: August 31 2009

Certificate: August 31 2009

Format: DVD/CD

DVD RRP: £14.99

Rating: 3.5/5

Noah and the Whale released the celebrated 'Peaceful the World Lays Me Down' to much acclaim in 2008, establishing the Brit indie rockers as something a bit different. Throwing typical pop melodies out of the window and replacing them with more strained, melancholy notes, they followed it up with 'The First Days of Spring', an album that goes a little darker.

They're the kind of band whose melodic folk songs may pop up on a Wes Anderson film's soundtrack in the future. Not poppy enough to become overly played, and also not too dark to alienate a teen/young adult audience. A similar mix was maintained by The Arcade Fire.

And so, with Noah and the Whale's second album, they've tried something a little different. Instead of just releasing the album on CD, they've coupled with a DVD that represents essentially an extended music video which covers the whole album, somewhat similar (but far less ambitious) to Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'.

The album (and corresponding video) depict the breakup of a relationship and at less than 50 minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome. The song 'Five Years Time' may have hooked the upbeat listeners in with its fun beats but the rest are far more downbeat - a welcome change. It's not really depressing either; more uplifting like the somewhat deceptive murmuring vocals of Manchester favourites, Doves.

There are bursts of strings and brass instruments to lift this dark subject out of the depths. After all, when reminiscing a fractured relationship, most of the memories revolve around trying to win back the good times while being dragged under with sorrow or guilt or whatever else.

Of course, it could come off (to some ears) as twee, attention seeking young nonsense. Yes, male/female stark duos were more mature when fronted by Robert Plant/Alison Krauss or Mark Lanegan/Isobel Campbell, but each to his own. Definite points for effort with this group though.