Less heady than 2010’s English folk-imbued Courage of Others, yet retaining its overcast, Fleet Foxes-meets Meddle-era Pink Floyd ambience, Antiphon sounds more like the work of a band and less like the fleshed-out audio installations of a bandleader.
On Antiphon, Midlake are a band out to make a point. The point is that Midlake weren't just the vehicle for Tim Smith's musical vision, but a collection of musicians, talented in their own right, who are more than capable of putting together a well written, ambitious and coherent album.
The scope has widened considerably. Antiphon is a record unafraid of adventure, always open to a fanciful stroll off the beaten path.
Thankfully for fans of the Denton, TX-based band, Antiphon sounds like a Midlake record despite the massive changes, and it’s full of characteristically moody yet accessible songs.
There are still creases to iron out, but Antiphon marks a significant step as Midlake move on to the next phase of their career.
What fans will be looking for is an indication that Midlake can continue to grow and evolve without their talisman. They’ve proved that, perhaps most of all to themselves, and with it they’ve exorcised the ghost that might have threatened to overwhelm them.
At times it gets a little too gentle, the warm soup of instruments and Pulidio’s soothing voice blending together into a indistinguishable slush, but when it holds together it’s a pleasant trip.
For a “forget everything you know about Midlake!” album, it's almost exactly how you remember them.
They swiftly slump back into portentous jams made for mourning failed crops, made worse by the ye olde farmhand Yoda-isms of Eric Pulido, now the band’s singer following the departure of Tim Smith last year.
There’s a seemingly permanent state of otherworldly emotion smothered over this album. In terms of psychedelic folk, it’s a really enjoyable entry. Took me a few listens to really get to grips with it though, and it ends on a rather banal note.
Standout: The old and the young
Favs: Antiphon, This weight, Vale, Provider
Least fav: Corruption
Midlake works for me. Guilty pleasure? I dunno. I suppose they make fairly specific music that could potentially sound bland if you're not really interested in the niche where they operate. But like I said, it works for me.
Also, this has some of the coolest album art of the year.
Guess what!
Something's missing...and that's the promise to themselves that they won't produce such a seventies-oriented, heartless album.
Does anyone remember punk?
#35 | / | MOJO |
#38 | / | Under the Radar |