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. Drowned In Sound
    60
    It requires TLC, and some listeners–-and I count myself among them–-are just too heavy-handed to stay in its company long.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    If soft-hearted London folkies Noah And The Whale aren’t quite as deft with savoury rice, they’ve got the knack of balancing heart-melting, pupil-dilating ditties with words of chill bleakness down pat.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Their foppish indieboy spin on classic folk-rock is, more often than not, perfectly listenable. But you can't help but wonder, between all the gleeful strums and wizened howls, whether they possess the inner torment to carry off such worldly material.
  5. The Guardian
    60
    The twinkling acoustic songs, bursting with brass, keyboards and fiddle are economic and brimming with sure-footed confidence but Fink's brittle cynicism ultimately leaves Noah & the Whale stranded
  6. Dot Music
    50
    Perhaps it's just that the rest of the songs aren't up to scratch, but this album is a simple case of diminishing returns--what appeared carefree and sparkly-eyed to begin with feels more and more calculated as you go on, what first seemed endearing ends up feeling a little irritating.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    60
    Noah and the Whale try their best to make weighty songs (look no further than the paint-by-numbers description of a funeral on the limp “Death by Numbers”), but they’re better as a pop group that digs ukuleles and acoustic guitars.
  8. Uncut
    60
    Twenty-one-year-old Charlie Fnk's cracked baritone is brown sugar-sweet, '5 Years Time' is a hit, and the album's Jonathan Richman-esque gawkiness makes it double endearing. [Oct 2008, p.94]
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  9. PopMatters
    50
    All in all, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, even with its mortality obsession, is mostly a statement of nothing, but at least it sounds good most of the time.

User Reviews

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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 »
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