The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features
Best of Boston 2009

Midlake

The Trials of Van Occupanther | Bella Union
By CAITLIN CURRAN  |  February 6, 2007
3.0 3.0 Stars
070209_inside_midlake
This foursome from Denton, Texas, met while studying jazz at the University of North Texas, but they went off in a totally different direction as Midlake. Their sophomore disc, a concept album that envisions life through the eyes of a late-19th-century settler named Van Occupanther, takes its musical cues from the folk-rock ’70s, with strong hints of Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac. Over a foundation of contemplative vocal harmonies, piano, and a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, singer Tim Smith pays homage to roofs that don’t leak and the simple comforts of village life. On “Roscoe,” he reveals, “Whenever I was a child I wondered what if my name had changed into something more productive like Roscoe.” As the story unfolds, Occupanther befriends a group of bandits who have raided his village, and he reflects philosophically on nature in the gentle “Chasing Deer,” a tune with an outlook Thoreau and Emerson would appreciate. Midlake were signed by former Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde, and actor Jason Lee directed a dark video for the single “Balloon Maker.” Both have helped raise the profile of this low-key band. But the warmth and the easy familiarity enable The Trials of Van Occupanther to stand on its own, just as the band do.

Midlake + St. Vincent + Dylan In The Movies | Middle East upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge | February 10 | 617.864.EAST
Related: Post-punk pantheon, Hollywood hit, Little drummer boys, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Cocteau Twins, Fleetwood Mac, Jason Lee,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

ARTICLES BY CAITLIN CURRAN
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   SLIDESHOW: 'PAINT PENS IN PURSES' IN ALLSTON  |  April 27, 2009
    Gallery pops up in vacant liquor store
  •   STREETS OF GOLD  |  September 05, 2007
    Who is that stashed man?
  •   SCARLETT'S WEB  |  February 15, 2007
      Photos: Hasty ladies plant piggie, Pudding Pot on 2007 Woman of the Year Scarlett Johansson
  •   MIDLAKE  |  February 06, 2007
    The Trials of Van Occupanther | Bella Union

 See all articles by: CAITLIN CURRAN

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group