Judging a book by its cover

For some reason, earlier this year, I’d been keeping my eye on a late-2006 release I spotted on eMusic*, The Trials of Van Occupanther, by a band I’d never heard of called Midlake. It was probably the thumbnail of the cover that got my attention. It had a Fairport/Incredible String Band/Nick Drake look to it that I’m always a sucker for, at least in terms of graphic appeal if not the actual music delivered by these quirky British folk-rockers. So I sampled some songs and then downloaded half the album. I’m digging it.

There’s some of that British folk-rock in the music, but moreso the half album I downloaded is a journey to Psychic Oblivion. Or so I think. I’m curious to hear what experienced travelers of the roads to Psychic Oblivion think, Townspeople like Mwall and Dr. John. I’m also curious to hear what you think. Check out the following tracks.

“It Covers the Hillsides”

Let’s start with “It Covers the Hillsides”, which features a bizarre and perfectly inappropriate overdubbed instrumental section coming out of a more standard solo. Anyone who’s spent time in a studio with me is probably aware of my penchant for perfectly inappropriate overdubbed instrumental parts. I also dig the fringed mocassin-style bass playing on this and other songs. When I first realized that I was liking this song, I tried to recall whether I liked hearing bands like Firefall on the radio when I was a kid. I don’t think I did, but I do love those mid-70s Jefferson Starship songs like “Miracles”. This song may fit in with that form of Psychic Oblivion.
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All-Star Game Edition

“Mustang Sally” or “Bring it on Home to Me”?

Over the course of your life, have you spent more time listening to Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” or reading about it?

Name a move by a rock band more tired than playing the Hollywood Bowl.

OK, name a move by a rock band more tired than playing accompanied by an orchestra.

Name a move by a rock band more tired than playing the Hollywood Bowl accompanied by an orchestra.

Has anyone heard the Midlake album The Trials of Van Occupanther?

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters (not the drummer version from Nirvana): Good egg or enough already?

What’s your favorite interview with a sideman that you’ve ever read?

What song or album has been impressing you of late?

What song or album has made you hear music in a new way of late?

I look forward to your responses.

If you stream over to Phawker.com you can check out the new Interpol CD, Our Love to Admire. I’m about to do that myself, and while I’m there, I’ll post a minute-by-minute live review…from the gut! Let’s log in, kick back, and see what this year’s ambition-driven variations on the Joy Division sound bring.

The album begins with the mournful “Pioneer Falls”, which has an Echo and the Bunnymen via The Doors sound. The song is kind of pretty, and it would be a lot prettier if I were a 17-year-old girl looking to escape my middle-class, small-town, relative hell. As it is, I think I’ll let the gray show in my rapidly thinning hair.

“No I in Threesome” makes a bid for the basis of the next James Toback film and picks up the pace a bit, with a pounding piano and drum beat. This is the scene when I come back to my empty dorm room, throw myself onto the bed, and let the eyeliner run down my cheek.

As “Scale” kicks in, I’m wishing this band really would begin sounding like Joy Division already. There’s a lot of stentorian self-analyses going on, but it’s more of the goth power ballad variety than the throbbing, grating soundtrack of Ian Curtis’ life. More power to these guys for staying alive, don’t get me wrong, but so far I’m bored.

Here’s an upbeat number, “Heinrich Maneuver”! It’s got all those angular guitars and syncopated beats, just right for adjusting that lock of hair to just the right angle across your forehead. I’m gonna call up my friends and see what’s doing! Ooh, there’s a dead stop right before the chorus comes back in. I haven’t heard such joyous gloom since Psychedelic Furs‘ “Love My Way”.

“Mammoth” opens with a vaguely threatening, slightly sexual four-on-the-floor beat and repeated chants of “spare me the suspense.” [Cut to the “bad boy” my innocent freshman character is about to meet up with.] If you don’t mind, I’m going to drop the narrative for a minute and simply enjoy the relative abandon of this song. Nice.
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