Noah, of course, captained an Ark to safety from heavenly floods (and was a terrible drunkard, so another DiS staffer informs me); had he been given a whale instead, no doubt things would have been somewhat smoother. After all, he could’ve just stayed put and let the waters come up around him, snug and safe amongst his many animals in the belly of a beast. Or two, even, as surely Mr Whale would need some female company once his passengers had bailed onto newly dry land, Pinocchio and all. What? Sorry, this single is so fantastically limp it’s sent my mind spiralling into nonsensical twittering. Yeah it’s there – Charlie Fink murmuring sort of sweetly in my ears – but it’s tough to stay focused on ‘2 Bodies 1 Heart’ as soon as you conclude that roughly three-dozen others do this woozy folk thing better than Noah And The Whale. Might as well listen to them instead. Fair.
Listen closely and Fink’s wordplay is pretty special – like Eugene McGuinness, he has a way of twisting what should be wholly mundane into lyrics that impress – but the tone of his voice is too boggy, too muddy, to have you caring about what he’s expressing. Something about muddling Halloween and Christmas… something… no, no… it’s gone. Nice trumpet, mind, and it’s unfair to rain heavily on Fink’s parade as there’s nowt inherently wrong with anything here.
Additionally, though, there’s precisely nothing overly special about it, either. Not as special as Bible Stories… Remember when you’d be in school, and your R.E. teacher would make time at the end of a class for ‘reflection’ on what you’d just been taught? No? Just me? She didn’t believe anyway. Heathen. We all thought she was at it with one of the history teachers, too.
- - -
Agreed
Although I think 6 is a bit generous. This song is DULL.
you guys have no idea
i don't know if you're bitter or something or deaf, in which case im sorry for being rude, but incase you haven't noticed, this band are perfect, and the world has agreed on them.
this single is heartwarming, and have you not noticed the b side! just the fact that they can make that song the b side is fantastic.
well done whale lads (and lady)
no come on
this song really sucks!
here here
Rights to independent opinion granted, please start writing reviews that talk about the actual record. 'Rocks and Daggers' does not deserve to be so flagrantly overlooked...
the single is nice
but rocks and daggers is better, fer sure.
no seriously, you guys have no idea!
I have passively read the reviews and opinions of this here website for a while now but this will be the last.
This is quite seriously the worst piece of journalism I have ever read and i find it very sad that someone so clearly talentless and bitter as mr. diver is given the opportunity to write...anything. Particularly about a band that I know I and many others truly believe in.
In short Drowned in Sound you've just lost yourself a reader and Noah and the Whale you haven't lost a believer.
Amen!
Screw you DiS
Screw you Diver
Hurray for Noah and the Whale!
i agree
although i love this band so much this is definately a 6 and i would say is their worst song. the bside is much better. what i don't understand is, DiS gave the far superior previous single 5 years time, a 5/10. Just doesn't make sense. That was the single of the year
This Song is Beautifull
Effortlessly.
This review is so dull.
I Agree
I absolutely love this song but would agree its not their strongest.
However whether you like the song or not this is a terrible, terrible review.
I'm considering starting a campaign to get M. Diver fired. What a tosser!
So many unqualified statements in here.
Like there are apparently dozens of bands who do this better? Care to name one?
Forget dozens there are thousand of better journalists out there.
actually
this is quite a bad review as well i forgot to mention.
Balls
Is the band hiring msg board assassins?
This song is so lame that it sounds like a parody. It's only when you get halfway through that you realize, to your horror, that no, these dickweeds are quite serious.
And are every bit as humorless as their fanbase.
RstJ
I Would to Join..
Those who think this review is wank and Noah and the Whale heroes.
Saw them at Push last night was unbelievable. Totally blew away Vampire Weekend.
Ahem!
RstJ if I ever meet you I will spit in your face you arrogant arsehole. Fact.
Firstly this bands videos are just about the funniest things I've ever seen so clearly not humorless.
Secondly just because I have chosen to stand up for something I believe does not make me or any other Noah fans humorless.
Thirdly who the fuck are you to say something so negative about a talented band who've achieved something. I'm guessing you've probably never achieved anything and probably hate yourself because of it and probably have a penis the size of a twiglet.
Finally no one uses the word 'dickweed' except for paedo's.
Cunt
This
Makes me so depressed.
I might just quit.
worrying
It seems that DIS is needlessly harsh on this band. I appreciate that this isn't their best (the b-side alone is much stronger), but I find it hard when I see that you criticise them for using tools that you laud in other reviews for other bands. As for the idea that they do things worse than other london folk acts, that surely isn't true, they are refreshing in their talent and light-hearted approach, and their catalogue of tracks stands up in the face of any that accuse them of being a flash in the pan.
Twee they might be, and some may not like this, but DIS you look like you are bitter here.
Is it that you are fans of Emmy, with whom NATW have fallen out? if it is, surely that is childish and goes against the whole ethos of a site like this, their music should be treated objectively.