1. "The First Days of Spring" - The album opens up with an extremely powerful instrumental opening that lets you know you're in for an emotional rollercoaster. Interestingly enough, the album appears to begin with some hope for the girl in question to return, though the narrator says he is starting his life anew. Violins proceed to do some major heart-string tugging.
2. "Our Window" - Mournful piano and strings begin this piece, and we get a glimpse into the last night of the relationship of this album. The song chronicles the end of a relationship. It is a hard break up. "...we both know that it's over, but we're both not ready." There is confusion and regret coursing through this song's veins, and the song's sparse instrumentation and focus on lyrics really make the us feel the same emotions as the narrator.
3. "I Have Nothing" - The title of this song essentially previews the feel of it. The narrator doesn't quite know what to do. "I need your light in my life." The young man is now alone, "a new baby weeping," and afraid he will fade away without his love. Occasionally off-pitch vocals actually add to this song. They make it more human, and you get the impression that our protagonist's voice is on the verge of breaking.
4. "My Broken Heart" - Violin makes another strong performance in this song, which sees our young man beginning to come to grips with his situation, though he comes to an unhappy conclusion. He determines that, yes, he will be lonely, but he'll make it through life on his own. Trumpets enter to affirm his decision, in another instance of how well instruments mirror the emotions of this album.
5. "Instrumental I" - Orchestra nerds like me rejoice. This song opens with the tuning of an orchestra, as if to signal that our guy is ready to live his life! After a brass fanfare, strings and woodwinds enter with a joyous melody that brings a smile to my face every time I listen. Enjoy :)
6. "The Love of an Orchestra" - This sung is a fun one to listen to. Our protagonist believes he will be fine as long as he has music in his heart. "Give me the love of an orchestra," he exults! The whole song is happy, as joyous and bouncy instrumental lines as well as choir segments flying about every which way. Am I weird for dancing around my room and conducting to this song? Perhaps, but I do it almost every time :D
7. "Instrumental II" - Reality has once again set in. This song features a subdued guitar melody, plucked and strummed perfectly. Our protagonist, and listeners for that matter, aren't out of the woods yet.
8. "Stranger" - One of the best songs on the album, in my opinion. It describes a rebound, and the immense regret that the narrator feels at what he's done: "I don't believe my conscience will ever be clear again." Making the song more potent is the fact that the narrator sings to his former love in this song: "Tonight, I slept with a stranger for the first time since you left." He still feels alone and abandoned. However, there is still hope, with guitars entering in the last minute and a half of the song to a repeated belief that things will be better in a year. Our protagonist is down, but he's not out.
9. "Blue Skies" - The narrator tries once again to move on, this time with much more determination. He knows things will be difficult, but is confident that "blue skies are coming." In fact, he goes on to state: "This is the last song that I write while still in love with you." He appears ready to move on, but if the story of this relationship has taught us anything, it's that this situation is a tad complicated. Still, it's good to hear the hope for a brighter future. Instrumentation reinforces this as well, as guitars, shakers, trumpets, and tamborines make you imagine our young man walking down a long path with his head held high.
10. "Snow Glass" - This song opens with an almost happy guitar riff (but not quite). It is more like a riff of reflection, and that is what the narrator is doing this song. He is looking back at this whole ordeal, and he determines that he wasn't seeing things clearly as he is now: "... I've been looking through slow glass." He finally feels as if he is seeing things clearly, and the drums pulsing throughout the song make me think of our guy marching on. However, sneaking in at the end of the song is a melancholy choir-like entrance, making sure we know there is one last trick up this album's sleeve.
11. "My Door is Always Open" - The final stage of this album is a sort of reconciliation. The narrator now appears to be happy that he is "free from all your [the girl's] pain", but that his door is always open to her. Their romantic relationship is over yes, but that doesn't mean our guy won't be there for his former love if she needs it. The album finishes with a repeated chant about how his heart is now his to give to someone else, with guitar strumming picking in volume and being joined by wonderful vocal finish.
This album packs quite the emotional punch. It cannot be described as a light listen, but, in my opinion, it's one of the most rewarding albums to listen to in my entire library. Featuring raw vocals, amazing lyrics, and beautiful, creative instrumentation, "The First Days of Spring" is a beautiful story about one man's emotional torment and final triumph.
As always, here's the link to their myspace. A note, however, they seem to have closed up shop in Myspace land until they release their new album in March of 2011. Who's excited? That would be me.
Til next time, enjoy :)
http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
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