Hans kept talking about this band, MIDLAKE, and then made me a mix cd with 3 or 4 of the songs on it. I was sold. Went out and got it on Monday and my iPod has been playing it non stop. I've even considered clearing my iPod of everything but Midlake.The way this CD really got me is well described below in my previous post. I liked it, but there were really some things I hated about it. One of these things was when lead singer, Tim Smith, sings out the line, "I'm Van Occupanther! I'm Van Occupanther!" I thought, "That's lame sauce! How sucky! How obvious!" But after a few listens, I found myself on my bike, head back smiling, whimsically singing along to those very same lines believing that I, myself, was Van Occupanther!
A truly great album is one that you start out saying something like, "It's OK, but their drummer sucks! He ruins the album for me." And a week later, you're like, "That drummer is revolutionary! He's a visionary! He makes the album!" And that sort of epiphany happened for me when getting into this album, but it was more about some of their artistic choices that rubbed me the wrong way at first, but then I realized they were strokes of genius.
I think Van Occupanther is a real piece of genius, high art, greatness, what have you.
One of the greatest things about these guys is that they did not just hire some orchestral instrumentalists to back them up, these guys played the flute and the bassoon themselves throughout the record and it really colors things. And I love love love the synthesizers!
Hey, don't just take my word for it, check out what Earl says about Midlake:
"The Trials of Van Occupanther is now one of the most important modern records I own. In an age of overly-used irony and disconnected nonchalance, this record actually means something, and Midlake should be forever hailed for their unique and genuine approach to music. Simply put, Van Occupanther has backbone, and the fact that you don't feel cheated by it gives one hope that sincerity can still exist within modern alternative music."
Jason Lee, Star of My Name is Earl and Midlake Cohort
1 comment:
well i should give props to my cousin sarah. i had the same response you did. she said, "check these guys out. they're BLOWING MY MIND." I listend, said "pretty good stuff", then I week later we were driving back from a trip in the middle of the night listening to the album over, and over, and i realized... i was getting my mind blown.
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