Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
by Noah and the Whale
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Alternative Press
    80
    The reason Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down works here other "buzz band" albums don't is because theirs just feels natural--NATW aren't trying to buy into any trend. They're just writing great music. [Sep 2008, p.151]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. cokemachineglow
    75
    Earnestness is so damningly difficult to nail down, but Fink and his cohorts come as close as anything this year, displaying an aptness for cloying love songs minus the puppy dog eyes.
  3. musicOMH.com
    70
    It's gentle enough to be background music, lively enough to be worth listening to for the sake of it, and certainly an impressive achievement for a 21-year-old's debut.
  5. AllMusic
    70
    Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down could have been all kinds of terrible but instead turns out to be an album that fans of the bands mentioned earlier, plus fans of intelligent and heart-felt indie pop, should probably investigate.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    The vivaciousness and bright energy of the instrumentation offsets the melancholic subject matter perfectly, so that the listener is lost in the composition. [Fall 2008, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. cryhardhumor
    Jun 12, 2015
    9
    The album is rather diverse, with content (for better or worse) ranges from upbeat jams to sad break up songs. However the lyrics, vocals, andThe album is rather diverse, with content (for better or worse) ranges from upbeat jams to sad break up songs. However the lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals are all so lovingly crafted that you can't help but love and sing along with the every song… Full Review »
  2. Pippinseb
    Feb 12, 2020
    9
    Beautiful and light melodies for a sad and anxious soul (almost gives belle and sebastian vibes) ! Recommend ‘two atoms in a molecule’,Beautiful and light melodies for a sad and anxious soul (almost gives belle and sebastian vibes) ! Recommend ‘two atoms in a molecule’, ‘second lover’, and ‘hold my hand as I’m lowered’ (then you gotta listen to Noah and the Whale’s second album ‘first days of spring’)… Full Review »
  3. drlowdon
    Feb 6, 2014
    7
    Genre: Alternative
    For me there are a few to many slightly bland tunes on this album for it to be considered a true classic but a number of    Genre: Alternative
    For me there are a few to many slightly bland tunes on this album for it to be considered a true classic but a number of songs, including the joyful '5 Years Time' in particular, make it a worthwhile listen. Its probably safe to say that Noah and the Whale have released better albums since but for a debut this is a pretty good effort and they certainly offer something more interesting than the usual repetitive pop clogging up the radio stations.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »