Midlake - influenced by Fleetwood Mac? - Page 2

amber · #16 06-15-2006, 11:54 PM

Wow Trackie! I really like that! The music part could be more varied (a cross bassline or some contrary drums, or something - neither of which is the technical term), but I do like it. How weird, I never like anything, and suddenly this week I've heard all this good music.
They do sound Mac-ish.

I saw KT Tunstall (Cancer) on T.V., too.
I had heard a couple of her songs all over the radio all the time, and liked them fairly well, but had never seen her perform. She must be old hat to you (Trackie), she being Scottish and having so many England gigs and all -

The thing that was really rad was that...She...recorded parts right as she was onstage. She did a rhythm thing (she tapped her foot on the ground to make rhythm!), then a vocal harmony thing...I thought she was just starting her song - but then those elements were subsequently in the song as she continued the performance alone onstage.

I tguess the recorder was at her foot. I didn't know what she was doing at first, but then I started noticing that what she was just singing as she messed with something by her foot was now a backing track - she was the only one onstage. (Brill, right?

)

She made all the noises herself. I really like that. Because, you know, it's just how you do at home, only with less talent.

She didn't just have a harmony, there was a harmony/percussion that she did with her foot. And by that I mean that the harmony vocal she was singing also turned out to be part of the percussion/rhythm as the song progressed!

I was more impressed with her weird skills than her song, but I liked the song anyways, and I'm disproportionately impressed with the weird skills because that is actually evocative of what I do all the time at home (less well, der) - and I can't believe that this particular brand of my dorky self expression could actually work in some context. Ie, I was paying more attention to that.

And subsequently, I can't believe she was also a Cancer.

It makes super sense, but I've not really seen it manifested so well, except for Debbie Harry (musically). And maybe Beck. It's the skill of blending all things you ever thought of or heard, to pleasing effect, with all the musical knowledge/style/instruments/sounds you have ever gleaned.

It's the first validation I've ever seen of the totally pointless "practicing" or "my favorite useless thing to do" that I love to do. And you all know how awesome that is.

Suddenly, my favorite useless thing was put to use.

And if that means you have to play/sing all the instruments/parts yourself, so be it!

I feel like singing backup for her, I'll sing the guitar part, and later I will sing the drum part - I can tap my feet, and maybe even play cowbell!
We will record that rhythm, then I'm freed up to sing harmonies during the actual performance! We'll practice and just make all kinds of weird noises for songs! It will be very pretty and strange.

In short, she was her own percussionist and harmonist. Playing guitar. And she did that live. Without others.

Predictably she grew up without a T.V., too, and her fake dad was a physicist.

trackaghost · #17 06-16-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I saw KT Tunstall (Cancer) on T.V., too.
I had heard a couple of her songs all over the radio all the time, and liked them fairly well, but had never seen her perform. She must be old hat to you (Trackie), she being Scottish and having so many England gigs and all -

The thing that was really rad was that...She...recorded parts right as she was onstage. She did a rhythm thing (she tapped her foot on the ground to make rhythm!), then a vocal harmony thing...I thought she was just starting her song - but then those elements were subsequently in the song as she continued the performance alone onstage.

Yep, I've seen KT Tunstall live and the way she used her delay pedal thingie to record all the parts of the song awed me too. She's pretty darn cool, even if her songs aren't always. A good friend of mine's girlfriend actually went to university with her and used to go see her band all the time. She was pretty cool back then too from the sounds of it.

Anyway thanks for listening to it. I'm glad you liked it too!

shackin'up · #18 06-17-2006, 05:49 AM

heard enough. I'll hit my bike, freewheel into the city and give myself a present today. Love you sharon!

DavidMn · #19 06-17-2006, 12:25 PM

I'd never heard of these people before. I'll give them a listen.

shackin'up · #20 06-17-2006, 05:09 PM

I did what I said and played the thing while cooking. It's a beauty. The voices are a little too smooth every now and then for my taste, but the arrangements are full of tension and the songs diverse. Love it. thanks again sharon!

trackaghost · #21 06-17-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackin'up

I did what I said and played the thing while cooking. It's a beauty. The voices are a little too smooth every now and then for my taste, but the arrangements are full of tension and the songs diverse. Love it. thanks again sharon!

Cool! I knew I could rely on you Gerald

So glad you like it!
I wasn't quite sure what I thought of the album at first, but I've been playing it all week, so it definitely grows on you.

By the way, did you get the Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan album? That is a beauty too!

shackin'up · #22 06-17-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Cool! I knew I could rely on you Gerald

So glad you like it!
I wasn't quite sure what I thought of the album at first, but I've been playing it all week, so it definitely grows on you.

By the way, did you get the Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan album? That is a beauty too!

well, i already like it, so if it grows it will turn into a fave this year. Like the campbell-lanegan combo. That one I had, ofcourse the day it came out and is my fave of the year untill now. With a new pearl jam growing to be a fave too.

back,

gerald

trackaghost · #23 06-17-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackin'up

well, i already like it, so if it grows it will turn into a fave this year. Like the campbell-lanegan combo. That one I had, ofcourse the day it came out and is my fave of the year untill now. With a new pearl jam growing to be a fave too.

back,

gerald

The new Pearl Jam is great! Hey, did I tell you I got to meet Eddie Vedder recently? It was brief but he was so lovely.

Gerald you like dEUS don't you? I'm currently obsessed with the track Instant Street (pulled out my copy of The Ideal Crash last week). Have you ever seen the video? It's so cool, especially the end. Here check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGTxfKaIoRI&search=dEUS

shackin'up · #24 06-17-2006, 05:36 PM

Yeah, great!

do you like their new album? I love it but not the production. But they played pinkpop and kicked ass that's what counts.

shackin'up · #25 06-17-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackaghost

The new Pearl Jam is great! Hey, did I tell you I got to meet Eddie Vedder recently? It was brief but he was so lovely.

Now That's what I call a wet dream. What a personality that is!

trackaghost · #26 06-17-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Yeah, great!

do you like their new album? I love it but not the production. But they played pinkpop and kicked ass that's what counts.

I haven't got their new album, is it worth getting? I kinda forgot about them to tell the truth because they sort of disappeared for a while and didn't release anything - five years maybe? Saw them numerous times live back in the day though and they were always fantastic.

Did you watch the video? I hadn't seen it before and it's brilliant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Now That's what I call a wet dream. What a personality that is!

I know! The highlight of my year so far!

shackin'up · #27 06-17-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I haven't got their new album, is it worth getting? I kinda forgot about them to tell the truth because they sort of disappeared for a while and didn't release anything - five years maybe? Saw them numerous times live back in the day though and they were always fantastic.

Did you watch the video? I hadn't seen it before and it's brilliant.

yes their album is def. worthwhile. I knew the vid. It's great. I like all their videos. That band is such a complete artband.

trackaghost · #28 06-17-2006, 05:50 PM

Okay, I'll definitely pick up a copy of the new dEUS album next week. Pocket Revolution isn't it? Thanks for the recommend Gerald

Mari · #29 06-18-2006, 11:29 AM

Ooh, I've been a fan of Midlake, ever since I heard Roscoe.
Which song did you upload? Young Bride is a gorgeous song too.. and got their first album as well.
Heard comparisons to CSN&Y for that second album, actually, didn't know they got compared to the Mac as well. Cool.

trackaghost · #30 06-25-2006, 11:19 AM

Just because I know everyone here buys albums on recommendations from TV stars, especially those from the show My Name Is Earl, turns out Jason Lee is a huge fan. Here's what the man himself had to say (and he's cool: he was in a Sonic Youth video and is a former champion skateboarder): "The Trials of Van Occupanther is now one of the most important modern records I own. In an age of overly-used irony and disconnected nonchalance, this record actually means something, and Midlake should be forever hailed for their unique and genuine approach to music. Simply put, Van Occupanther has backbone, and the fact that you don't feel cheated by it gives one hope that sincerity can still exist within modern alternative music."

They're playing next week. I wonder if I should go...

David, I'm still waiting to hear your detailed analysis of this song and how it sounds like the Mac in some ways.