A Whisper in the Noise is a musical project of rock composer West Thordson. Centered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Twin Cities metro, the group is known for their dark sound and unique instrumentation, as well as their effective live performances. Eschewing the more traditional use of guitar or heavy keyboards that might be associated with the band's umbral sound, the instrumentation of A Whisper in the Noise has included the cello, violin, French horn, synth/electronic keyboard, bass guitar, and percussion in some variation. The resulting minimalist expression, the unique arrangement of instruments, and the inclusion of visual media elements during live performance has seen the band described as "art rock."

The band has occasionally performed without the French horn or cello, though these instruments are used heavily on the live recording of their first album, Through the Ides of March.

 

In October 2007 the band released their most recent album. Titled Dry Land, it is currently being distributed on the Germany-based label Exile On Mainstream Records. The album was recorded by the band's long time contact Steve Albini. The first 2000 presses were a limited edition that were packaged in over 100 year old paper that was coffee stained, air dried & then screenprinted by hand by band members Matt Irwin & West Thordson in Thordson's basement. The album has had great success in the first weeks, being the first band signed to Exile on Mainstream Records to completely sell out of stock on the labels web store.