Noah and the Whale, Roundhouse | reviews, news & interviews
Noah and the Whale, Roundhouse
Noah and the Whale, Roundhouse
The band from deepest Twickenham play rich, warm drive-time pop-rock
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Noah and the Whale's Charlie Fink: Beyond folk
They’re a fun band with some cracking tunes and they provided a vibrant night’s music last night at the Roundhouse, but where on earth did the idea come from that Noah and the Whale are a folk band? On this evidence, they’re about as folkie as Motörhead. Granted, they have a violinist in their line-up, but this is really no signifier of folkiness. In fact, the musician who sprang to mind most frequently during this pacy, compact show was Bruce Springsteen, especially on the material from the band’s recent Last Night on Earth album, with its heroic chord changes, its loose scansion and its tales of driving and escape from suburbia.
They’re a fun band with some cracking tunes and they provided a vibrant night’s music last night at the Roundhouse, but where on earth did the idea come from that Noah and the Whale are a folk band? On this evidence, they’re about as folkie as Motörhead. Granted, they have a violinist in their line-up, but this is really no signifier of folkiness. In fact, the musician who sprang to mind most frequently during this pacy, compact show was Bruce Springsteen, especially on the material from the band’s recent Last Night on Earth album, with its heroic chord changes, its loose scansion and its tales of driving and escape from suburbia.
If I were to pick holes, the biggest would be Charlie Fink's voice: it's a bit thin, frankly, and sounded flat
Buy
Explore topics
Share this article
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 round-up review - from Korean noise to Carnatic soul
A trio of bands and artists blend world music, cinematic grooves and pure noise at the London Jazz Festival
Album: Alice Ivy - Do What Makes You Happy
Aussie producer's third is half gems and half pap
Music Reissues Weekly: Stefan Gnyś - Horizoning
Folk-inclined Canadian’s brooding album emerges 55 years after it was recorded
Album: Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Gems in the rough on the Pixie / Breeder's long-awaited solo debut
Hannah Scott, Worthing Pavilion Theatre Atrium review - filling an arctic venue with human warmth
Singer-songwriter brings moving, autobiographical songs to the freezing south coast
Album: Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean
Held in love and affection
Album: FaithNYC - Love is a Wish Away
Wonderfully produced off-piste music
English Teacher, Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow review - Mercury winners step up in size with style
The Leeds quartet's set was varied in genre but thrilling when punchy
Album: Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
The flawless union of style and substance
Kenny Barron Trio, Ronnie Scott's review - a master of the cool
Eloquent story-telling from jazz giant
Album: Body Count - Merciless
Ice goes on autopilot
Music Reissues Weekly: Magazine - Real Life, Secondhand Daylight, The Correct Use of Soap
The first three albums from Howard Devoto’s post-punk marvels hit the shops again
Add comment