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CRITIC REVIEWS
80
It might have been largely inspired by events that took place in the past but this is a forward-looking album by a band that has rediscovered their place in the world.
80
Re-emerging after a nine-year gap, their fifth album, For the Sake of Bethel Woods, retains some of the progressive experimentation of its predecessor without losing sight of its sturdy core of songs.
80
It is often the case that art that doesn’t easily fit into a box is hard to frame and market. That is why we must seek it out and share it ourselves. That is part of our relationship with art and part of our responsibility as humans. This is a band that is worthy of the search.
80
It’s good: at times dreamily pensive (Noble), at others a kind of psychedelic prog (Gone), layered, sophisticated and melodic, especially Glistening and Of Desire.
80
‘For the Sake of Bethel Woods’ encompasses new flavours, it is not a consolidation.
80
Folk-proggers Midlake streamline to set their soul free on For The Sake Of Bethel Woods.
80
F Scott Fitzgerald once bitterly observed “there are no second acts in American lives”, this new incarnation of Midlake happily suggests otherwise.
75
It recalls in some ways, Sufjan Stevens’ penchant for taking on Biblical themes with modern sensibilities, while allowing a great deal of personal interpretation in the lyrics.
70
Texan folk rockers return in leaner, more dynamic form.
67
The band’s fifth album–their first in almost a decade–contains stunning rhythms but still leaves something to be desired.
66
Indeed, this could well be an entrancing listen for the right fan, but sadly, for me, neither the atmosphere or the instrumentation is enough to prevent my mind from frequently wandering away while listening.
60
Between the concepts and soundscape, there is plenty to chew on.
60
It’s all compounded by John Congleton’s superb production, which adds layers of intrigue and mystery to
this sublime, long-overdue comeback.
this sublime, long-overdue comeback.
Beautiful, I'm starting to really enjoy this band.
Folk rock with some psychedelic touches here and there.
Midlake - For the Sake of Bethel Woods
Genre: Folk Rock
Country: US
Final Verdict: 59% (Pleasant Album)
Yearly Ranking: 176th / 294
Highlight: Feast of Carrion
Made me think of:
Big Thief
Strand of Oaks
The Decemberists
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Track List
| 1 | Commune 0:53 | 40 |
| 2 | Bethel Woods 4:23 | 77 |
| 3 | Glistening 4:04 | 56 |
| 4 | Exile 3:33 | 47 |
| 5 | Feast of Carrion 4:40 | 51 |
| 6 | Noble 6:25 | 72 |
| 7 | Gone 5:08 | 47 |
| 8 | Meanwhile... 3:34 | 53 |
| 9 | Dawning 4:16 | 47 |
| 10 | The End 3:23 | 49 |
| 11 | Of Desire 3:58 | 68 |
Total Length: 44 minutes
Year End Lists
| #48 | / | MOJO |
Added on: October 25, 2021