Two Boobs Good, Four Boobs Better!

Midlake return with a third album every bit as different from their second as that album was from their first. But it’s still undeniably Midlake.

Four years on from the Fleetwood Mac inspired ‘The Trials Of Van Occupanther’, the Texan beardies influences seem to lie a few thousand miles East of early 1970′s LA, namely the British folk scene of the late 1960′s, but for the most part, the song remains the same.

There is an abundance of flutes, less jazzy guitars, an overall slower tempo but thankfully – because this always was the real beauty of  ‘..Van Occupanther’ – there’s still those lyrics about gathering wood in winter time, seasons changing, harvesting crops and sitting by the fire.

After a low key opener, ‘Acts Of Man’, the second song ‘Winter Dies’ continues in a similar vein until the chorus brings in the vocal swells you associated with their previous offering.

The downbeat tempo remains throughout, and it’s only on further listens that individual songs seem to stand out from the almost medieval atmosphere. It’s like one of those films with a twist. You sit there for a while not knowing what all the fuss is about, until suddenly your eyes are opened and you go ‘Aahaa!’

At the moment, the melody alone makes ‘Fortune’ the standout track, along with ‘The Horn’ (stop sniggering at the back). Though I’d imagine in six months time I’ll have another favourite. And probably another after that, because this is one that’s going to be listened to for a long time.

After success last year for artists like Fleet Foxes (who you may be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to on the intro to ‘Children Of The Grounds’) and Bon Iver, the four year wait might just be what Midlake needed to ensure that this timeless music is heard by a larger audience.

You need to buy this album.

9/10

Midlake play Vicar St. on Valentines Night.