Beirut, The Reciever - August 17 at Little Brothers

I posted some photos from the show tonight. Check them out at the RFT Photos Blog.

Maritime @ The Night Owl in Dayton 10/20

Guess who's going to be there.

Midlake - Trials of Van Occupanther

My Young Bride / Why Are Your Shoulders Like That Of A Tired Old Woman?

That’s the million-dollar question Midlake poses on the predictably titled “Old Woman”, the single from their most recent album. The song is rife with imagery of a coldly familiar landscape, juxtaposed with a warm and dry bass, the timbre of which reminds me of the good times I had with a specific setting on my friend’s circa 1975 electric organ. The bossa nova switch inexplicably created a crisp disco bass beat that I could jam to. I am forced to assume that the 70’s were a musically confusing time.

But I digress. Immediately obvious on Trials of the Van Occupanther is an earnestly Carter-era affection by means of a muted drum kit, acoustic guitar, piano, and some of the most understatedly complex harmonies this side of America. Thankfully we are spared the cheesy strings and songs about unicorns, but this homage to the music lampooned in Yacht Rock is completely without irony. Tim Smith’s rich lead vocals are tonally akin to middle instruments trombone, viola, bassoon, all of which are featured throughout the album.

Midlake’s comparisons range from the Doobie Brothers and Fleetwod Mac to Spoon, Radiohead, and the Flaming Lips, and it’s all fair game. What does this cross sampling of influences mean for music listeners? It means that Trials of the Van Occupanther is one of the more accessible albums I have heard recently, and it does so while maintain a distinctiveness that will turn heads.

This album suffers from its strengths in some ways. It has a very autumn-y feeling, but can a bit drably inoffensive, and the lack of serious guitar hooks will turn a few people off. The only other serious criticism I have is that the album is front heavy, but that’s only after a fair bit of straw grasping. But no worries. While flawed, TOVO combines everything I look for in an album: subtle musical and emotional complexity, accessibility and a unique aesthetic.

BIRTHDAY BEST!

Happy belated birthday, Bill Berry! Sorry it's late!