This album made me sit up on my couch and literally say out loud “I need to write about this right now.” I’ve got a really tender spot for Noah & The Whale’s lead singer Charlie Fink’s voice. It’s has an incredibly comforting timbre with a rather distinct growl rolling just below the surface. On the group’s third album The Last Night On Earth Fink is as fantastic as ever but it is presented in a whole new light. All ten tracks resonate with a sense of optimism and musically prove that NATW have built their own sonic comfort zone. There are clear influences – “Wild Thing” smacks of Tom Petty’s influence – a matter of fact delivery countered by a lush back up vocals and there is no doubt that NATW have listened to their fair share of 80′s new wave pop but they have made a sound truly their own.
Fans of the classic 80′s teen movies will really find something to dig into here. “Give It All Back” is even about going back to a simpler time and the up tempo instrumentals – power chords, pepped up marimba - a childlike sense of optimism. Die hard fans will be happy to hear they haven’t abandoned their folkier roots. There is plenty of fiddle, acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies to give the tracks depth ( see “Waiting For My Chance To Come”) which is really what makes the music notable. Give this album a listen and tell me you don’t see scenes from the movie it someday must soundtrack. They are out on an epic tour right now cover the UK, US and EU so see them live if you can.