Last Night on Earth

Noah and the Whale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 15, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island Mercury
• ASIN: B004E8NGCS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,669 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Life is Life

2. Tonight's The Kind of Night

3. L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N

4. Wild Thing

5. Give It All Back

6. Just Before We Met

7. Paradise Stars

8. Waiting For My Chance To Come

9. The Line

10. Old Joy

Editorial Reviews

2011 release, the third album from the critically acclaimed British outfit. Last Night On Earth possesses a curiosity and a vibrancy, a romance and a restlessness, and a clutch of songs that mark out Charlie Fink as not just as one of the best songwriters of his generation, but also as a supremely gifted storyteller. These are tales of youth and ageing, of optimism and running away, as well of failure and pride. The album's strong narrative thread was in part inspired by Lou Reed's 1973 album Berlin as well as Tom Waits' 1992 record Bone Machine, and a little Arthur Russell thrown in for good measure.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Surprise... March 16, 2011

By Mr. C. M. MCCLELLAND

Format:Audio CD

From the first few notes, I knew this album was going to be really different from their last two. It's rather strange to hear electronics on a Noah and the Whale album. Definitely not what I expected...

Their first two albums were, lyrically, mainly about love and the terrible pain it causes. This album is about living life to the full, hope, and time passing.

"L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." is definitely a good choice for the lead single; it's positive, upbeat, and very catchy. I hope it does well. "Wild Thing" and "The Line" are very beautiful ballads that I'm sure all old fans will approve of. "Waiting For My Chance To Come" definitely reminds of of The Cars...

I suspect that some fans might not know how to take this album. One of the appeals of Noah and the Whale's music was listening to it as a soundtrack to the pain you felt at the time (at least it was for me anyway). Not only has the sound of the music changed, but the lyrics have changed too, so this is definitely a departure, or a new beginning, for the band. That said, I think this album deserves a few listens. It's definitely a change, but you can still hear it's the same band. I'd be surprised if any old fans don't like this album. While I absolutely adored their first two albums, I couldn't listen to them as often as I could listen to some other music I listen to. They were so genuinely sad that they made me feel sad and depressed while I listened to them. I must say, it's nice to be able to listen to Noah and the Whale without feeling depressed.

While this album is definitely very different, the important things remain the same; and that's the fact that these songs, like all other Noah and the Whale songs, have heart. From Charlie's vocals, to the way the instruments are played, it's all full of beautiful, genuine, emotion, and that's what made us all love them in the first place...

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars In love with Charlie Fink. March 20, 2011

By A. Pack

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

As someone who has more recently fell in love with this band, I throughly enjoy this album. I have the bands first two albums as well. But for some reason, I think this is my favorite. 'Last Night On Earth' seems like a natural progression for the band. The first album was upbeat and spoke about being in love; the second was about the devastation of the breakup and life wasn't going to be the same; and now the third is saying 'hey, you know what? life does go on and things are looking good.' So for me I thought the subject matter was a perfect progression. (Thanks to Charlie Fink - who is a genius songwriter.) For me the more electronic sounds on this third album work perfectly because of the subject matter. Now if the band was singing about love or a breakup again, this sound would not work, but it's perfect for this subject matter - LIFE DOES GO ON. This album is perfection for me; I cannot stop listening to it. I wish it was longer! If you were a fan of Noah and the Whale previously, get the whole album and give this new sound a chance (don't compare to their other albums - look at it in light of the subject material). I look forward to hearing much more of Charlie Fink and Noah and the Whale.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Life is Life March 23, 2011

By B. Martin

Format:Audio CD

There has always been a pop heartbeat driving the music of Noah and the Whale, but on their third album, Last Night on Earth, lead singer and creative leader Charlie Fink pushes the band further in that direction than ever before. Last Night on Earth features synthisizers, subtle dance beats, big catchy choruses and even some pseudo-rapping on the lead single "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.". It is also the group's most optimistic and open hearted work to date with lyrics about new beginnings, the exhiliration of the unknown and the freedom that comes from letting go of the past.

Despite the new pop leanings of this record, Noah and the Whale remain true to their folk roots. Acoustic guitars and strings are present in several songs and Fink's lyrics are still rooted in genuine emotion whether he's singing about how it seems that "his new life can start" on "Life is Life" or admitting that "it takes real guts to be alone" on the soaring anthem "Waiting for My Chance to Come". Despite the album's themes of new starts and unknown possibilities, Fink still takes time to reflect on the impact that rock and roll had on him on "Give it All Back" and the person he used to be on "Just Me Before We Met". Yet he is not looking back with regret, but with fondness and appreciation. That he is able to do so without sounding sentimental is a tribute to his songwriting skills.

At 32 minutes, Last Night on Earth flies by leaving you buzzed and feeling alive with hope when the final song comes to a close. That's a tricky feat to accomplish in any genre of music but Noah and the Whale have done just that regardless of what label you choose to stick on them. Their mix of unabashed optimism, heartfelt lyrics and ridiculously catchy melodies make for one of the best and most enjoyable albums of the year.