‘Roscoe’ is the opener to the stunning MIDLAKE album, ‘The Trials Of Van Occupanther’. Turning progressive rock inside out in search of new sonic territories is the principal strength of this Texas outfit, whose arrangement here is delicate and soothing in the face of vivid mental pictures of such clarity that only time travel or magic-mushroom inspired encyclopaedia browsing could have inspired them.
This is full of minor key changes and classic guitar sounds that weigh heavy on the imagination. The vocals follow a path that comes full circle, and the predictable structure is one I was delighted to hear take shape. Their take on the big seventies rock sound goes head to head with the great outdoors and off-beat subject matter in fine style making this a single with the power to grow on your indifference and turn it into positive joy.
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It’s backed with two further tracks. ‘Marion’ is a tale retold at the piano with an extraordinary and unique capacity to move. Smith’s vocals are excellent, and the reeds add depth to the soul as the imagery gets wilder and more discordant. It’s a must-hear sound.
‘Paper Gown’ is taken from the 2001 EP ‘Milkmaid Grand Army’ – the more traditional structure of which makes for a fine comparative study of just how at one with the world this band have become.
http://midlake.net/v3/main.html
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