Midlake - influenced by Fleetwood Mac?

[trackaghost]

A lot of people here are talking about Texas band Midlake with reviews of their second album comparing them to Grandaddy, Mercury Rev and Fleetwood Mac. My friend gave me the CD last week and the Mac influence is obvious.

I've uploaded a track from their new album The Trials Of Van Occupanther. Let me know what you all think:

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...6E4A5A18E7FF33


And a review:

Midlake: The Trials Of Van Occupanther
Bella Union
Review: Ben East
****

A soft rock concept album: it's enough to make you run for the hills. But that's exactly what Texans Midlake deliver on their gorgeous, escapist second album, The Trials Of Van Occupanther - an organic, pastoral thrill that updates 1970s Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills & Nash for a new generation.

Arcade Fire acolytes will find much to enjoy in the woozy charm of tracks such as Young Bride, one of this series of songs about a character called Van Occupanther, struggling with his loner status. Classic, elegant songwriting.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/...3?source=Metro

http://midlake.net/v3/main.html

[trackaghost]

Midlake - The Trials Of Van Occupanther (Bella Union)
(four stars) UK release date: 12 June 2006

For a few years now the notion of "influenced by the '70s" has come to mean spiky, angular guitar bands reminiscent of punk circa 1979. Tim Smith and his Texas band Midlake have ploughed an altogether different '70s furrow for The Trials of Van Occupanther, their second record.
There must be something in the water over at Bella Union HQ just now. A couple of weeks ago they released the stunning debut album by Howling Bells. Now comes this very different but compellingly lovely album that convincingly suggests, in hippy-folky ways, that the clash of modernity and a better time is of essential importance.

Opening track Roscoe harks after halcyon days in the 1800s, while Bandits suggests that being robbed of one's material possessions could be a blessing in disguise, the protagonist couple heading out to hunt and fall in love on their search for food. Maybe. It's pastoral and soothing at any rate.

This lyrical theme, a hankering after a period in our collective history when man was more at one with nature, has been tapped into by everything from the film Running Silent to wannabe hippy chicks (Joan Baez and lately Sandi Thom, yet mentioning Midlake in the same sentence as Tooting's belle du jour is hardly worthy). Quite who or what Van Occupanther is in this scheme of things is not entirely clear, but it serenades the listener happily back in time anyway.

Rooted in a sound reminscent of Fleetwood Mac, with vintage-sounding keyboards and folksy acoustica twittering around the central vocal harmonies, there are also obvious nods to Radiohead, especially in Smith's vocals. Head Home marries the two most effectively, sounding like Thom Yorke fronting Fleetwood Mac. Branches and In This Camp could pass off as Radiohead tracks, while on the title track a flute takes the harmony of the song to a more obviously '70s place. Smith admits to influences such as Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, but while their music runs right through this record, it is also something all of its own.

We Gathered In Spring is one of the many highlights, a psychedelic dirge with Clannad-like synth hooks and unhurried guitar. There's more on the hunter theme with Chasing After Deer, the album's most stark moment and a contrast to the full-on sound of the rest of the record.

The track Young Bride most obviously calls to mind Devendra Banhart with its shambling ryhthm and inventive arrangement, but it's more of a complete article than the bearded pixie has yet managed. Compared variously to The Flaming Lips and Grandaddy, Midlake's take on '70s soft rock is actually better than both.

The Trials Of Van Occupanther reveals more of itself with each listen, quietly rooting itself into the subconscious. And that's just fine - this is a record to be savoured.

- Michael Hubbard

http://www.musicomh.com/albums5/midlake_0606.htm

[David]

Oh I like it!

Kinda sounds like that Blue Oyster Cult or some early '70s psychedelic rockers. It's definitely retro.

[amber]

^^

If what that review says is true, sounds great. (duh). Unfortunately I'm at work and can't listen till I get home.

Edit - If what David says is true, I'll surely like it.

BOC!!

BOC!!!!!






"I gotta fever...and the only prescription is...."

[trackaghost]

David, glad you like it I definitely hear a little Rumours-era Mac in the album.

Amber, definitely download the track. It's very pretty, you'll like it

[amber]

Trackie, I couldn't tell - is it all boy singers? Or *praise be* is there a girl?

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by amber

Trackie, I couldn't tell - is it all boy singers? Or *praise be* is there a girl?

It's a guy singer, no gals sadly. I think his name is Tim Smith. But there are pretty Mac/Crosby, Stills & Nash-style harmonies

[amber]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

It's a guy singer, no gals sadly. I think his name is Tim Smith. But there's pretty Mac/Crosby, Stills & Nash-style harmonies

Which I guess he does all himself? You said "a" guy singer.
Interesting.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by amber

Which I guess he does all himself? You said "a" guy singer.
Interesting.

Well, there's just one lead singer. I'm assuming the rest of the band sing backing vocals. I don't know much about them really, in fact I'd never heard of them until I was given the CD last week and having listened to it a lot this week, I think a lot of people here would definitely like it, you know, if they like that laid back 70s-rock-with-sweet-harmonies kinda sound, that is.

[amber]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Well, there's just one lead singer. I'm assuming the rest of the band sing backing vocals. I don't know much about them really, in fact I'd never heard of them until I was given the CD last week and having listened to it a lot this week, I think a lot of people here would definitely like it, you know, if they like that laid back 70s-rock-with-sweet-harmonies kinda sound, that is.

Nah, people here don't like that.

[David]

Originally Posted by amber

Nah, people here don't like that.

Sometimes I wonder what people here do like because they're all so lame!

[amber]

Originally Posted by David

Sometimes I wonder what people here do like because they're all so lame!

Geez, David. We're all lame? Thanks for coming over to tell us.
I guess I should be happy you answered, since I'm so lame and all.

[David]

Originally Posted by amber

Geez, David. We're all lame? Thanks for coming over to tell us.
I guess I should be happy you answered, since I'm so lame and all.

Oh no, you're not one of the lame-o's. You're just vituperish & meanspirited to me. But believe me I DO NOT MIND. You put me in my place.

P.s. I'm just kidding--my fellow ledgies are NOT lame. they are all really cool & sweet & nice & hot.

[David]

Amber??

[David]

I think these guys ... Midbone? or Midwife? or something?.....I think these guys SOUND like Fleetwood Mac in a number of ways, but in some other ways they don't. In order to specify, I'll have to word my reply offline & then post it here.