Midlake come from Texas, are decidedly bearded and sound like a lo-fi mix of Grandaddy, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Not convinced? Well if your arm needed twisting any more, the intro to Roscoe sounds not at all unlike the theme tune to American sit-com M.A.S.H. It also appears to be about reminiscing a bygone era: namely 1891.
Not really a time that many would consider the golden age of music perhaps, but nevertheless, Midlake - despite the cryptic lyrics citing mountaineers and stone cutters - are more adept than most at crafting a perfect slice of atmospheric, somewhat odd, wistful Indie. Breathy vocal harmonies swath over rising guitar tones all together sounding like the perfect soundtrack to pioneering through an uncharted continent, elements and nature nipping at your heels.
Roscoe is only one example from Midlake's exceptional second album The Trials Of Van Occupanther (don't ask), and the perfect peephole into the cerebral oddities going on in their heads. Ignore preconceptions of bearded Indie weirdos and transport yourself back with them this summer.
share with:
