Noah and the Whale Presents the A Sides
Noah and the Whale · 2008
7 tracks · indie rock
A vibrant fusion of folk-infused melodies and introspective lyrics that capture the fleeting moments of youth and love.
Top tracks — play these first
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If My Album Sold a Million — This track opens the album with a catchy melody and self-referential lyrics, encapsulating the band's playful approach to fame and success.
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Hold My Hand as I’m Lowered — With its poignant storytelling and emotional depth, this song showcases the band's ability to blend narrative lyrics with engaging instrumentation.
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Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances — This track combines folk sensibilities with an anthemic chorus, representing themes of regret and reconciliation that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks the depth for lasting impact.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and layered instrumentation, while the subsequent tracks shift to more introspective themes and slower rhythms.
- Several songs incorporate a call-and-response vocal style, enhancing the sense of dialogue between the singers.
- The album closes with a gradual fade-out on 'Setting Sun', creating a lingering emotional resonance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical explorations of youth
- fragmented pacing for contemplation
- optimistic reflections on life
- for spontaneous listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer structured album flow
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Noah and the Whale released 'Presents the A Sides' in 2008 as a compilation album following their critically acclaimed debut 'Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down'. This album marked a significant moment in their career, showcasing their growth while consolidating key tracks from their early work before they shifted their sound with subsequent releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mumford & Sons· The Lumineers· Vampire Weekend
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 If My Album Sold a Million
- 2 Hold My Hand as I’m Lowered
- 3 Don’t Look Back
- 4 Waster
- 5 Fiddles Cannon
- 6 Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances
- 7 Setting Sun
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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