Midlake The Courage of Others

So, I happened upon an advance copy of Midlake’s new record “The Courage of Others.” While on my commute to work I listened to it the way singer Tim Smith has requested. One sitting, one listen. It’s a record of old, where it takes the body of the work to enjoy it all.

After my first listen it’s definitely enjoyable. If you want to fall asleep that is. The two songs they recently released on vinyl “Act of Man” and “Rulers, Ruling All Things” are the stronger songs of the record. Rulers, Ruling All Things being my favorite from the record. It’s been three years since Midlake released “The Trials of Van Occupanther”, an instant classic that has a very “Early settlers struggling through a new land soon to be called, America” feel to it. I think however, Midlake being left to their own device, didn’t make a step forward stylistically. It’s more of a channeling of 60’s British Folk. Nothing new, but still nice on the ears.

This record, on the other hand, just seems to dictate the disapproval of all things recent in our time, bad leaders, bad winters, bad times, but still retains a bit of hope in the long run. I’ll be giving this record more listens to really see if the wow factor is still within Midlake’s grasp. Hopefully it hasn’t been lost, like so many of these songs on this record speak of.

Take a listen to “Rulers, Ruling All Things” at the bottom.