Midlake : Trials Of Van Occupanther

Get past the title and cover and discover something unique.
- Jerry Mcguire, 08/08/2007, USA

Full title is: Trials of Van Occupanther

Length: 44:45

  Eric Nichelson - Guitar (12 String)
  Eric Nichelson - Guitar (Acoustic), Piano, Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
  Eric Pulido - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Vocals (Background), Guitar (12 String), Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
  Josh Ello - Violin
  Linda Salisbury - French Horn
  Mckenzie Smith - Percussion, Drums
  Paul Alexander - Guitar (Bass)
  Tim Smith - Guitar (Acoustic), Flute, Piano, Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Vocals
  Tim Smith - Guitar (Acoustic)

Midlake's second album is a departure from their lo-fi, psychedelic pop-influenced debut. "The Trials of Van Occupanther" jumps with both feet into the '70s of Laurel Canyon troubadours and soft rock balladeers. It jumps like Bob Beamon right past any other current bands treading similar ground and jumps back into time, becoming one of the best examples of the sound and style you'll ever hear, date of release notwithstanding. The first thing you notice on the album is the stunning vocal harmonies; you might think you dropped in an America disc by mistake. (The best record America ever did, that is.) Tim Smith has the kind of voice you know could be a glass-shattering instrument on par with that of Buckley or Wainwright, but he keeps it dialed down to an intimate scale, which is a wise decision. His vocals bleed melancholy honesty, and the way it combines with Eric Pulido's voice will raise goose bumps. The arrangements provide a perfect bed for the vocals, with cottony layers of acoustic guitars and strings, gentle horns, restrained drums, and lyrical piano combining beautifully. The occasional surprises are effective, especially when they use some of the corniest synth sounds heard since Jan Hammer unstrapped his keytar for the last time, on 'We Gathered in Spring' and 'It Covers the Hillside.' All of which is nice but isn't worth much without songs. Fortunately, Midlake writes unerringly tuneful melodies and thoughtful lyrics about topics other than love and introspection, and lays down plenty of gentle hooks. Nothing that you'll be singing in the shower for days at a time, but each song goes down smoothly and they add up to make "The Trials of Van Occupanther" a very pleasant, maybe even exciting in a restrained way, listening experience. You'll certainly find yourself reaching for it more often than you might expect; indeed, it has lasting power that many records that sound so good on first listen lack. Midlake might be stuck in the '70s, but they make it sound like the best place on earth. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi

The Trials of Van Occupanther channels Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac through Texas' answer to Thom Yorke. With lead track 'Roscoe' gaining over 100k downloads within weeks of hitting the blogosphere and tours with the Flaming Lips in both the US & Europe, Midlake are poised for something bigger than flavor-of-the-day indie rock.