Midlake: “For The Sake Of Bethel Woods” (Review & Stream)

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“The Courage Of Others” (2010) was more prophetic than expected: this time Midlake actually needed external courage to dare a new album. Keyboardist Jesse Chandler’s late father had appeared in a dream and had indicated the urgent need for the band to be reactivated. The song “Meanwhile…” recapitulates this affliction.

In each of the eleven pieces there is an auspicious clearing

“Antiphon” (2016) was created under adverse circumstances. Singer Tim Smith had left the band, guitarist Eric Pulido bravely switched to the microphone. From then on, Midlake sounded more psychedelic, coarse-grained, more rock-oriented, more straightforward. Pulido went on to form indie supergroup BNQT, featuring Fran Healy (Travis), Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand), Ben Bridwell (Band Of Horses) and Jason Lytle (Grandaddy).

The euphoric devotion of this project, immortalized in the BNQT debut “Volume One” (2017), can now also be found on “For The Sake Of Bethel Woods” – albeit in the mystical-dark context of transience and isolation. Nevertheless: In each of the eleven pieces there is a promising clearing. “Feast Of Carrion” would also have fit on Midlake’s masterpiece “The Trials Of Van Occupanther” (2006). The homage to Bethel Woods on the Woodstock site stands for the idealism of love, peace and happiness, for the longing for a symbiotic, cathartic togetherness.

For their fifth album, the Texans have hired a producer for the first time: John Congleton (St. Vincent, The Decemberists) has provided more conciseness and encouraged the band to go in previously unexplored directions: “Exile” gives rustic folk rock a space rock update lavishly indulged, “Glistening” reveals funk references, and the finale, “Of Desire,” cranks the amp up like never before. Sometimes Midlake just meditate, in the arms of the atmosphere, about options instead of boldly following new paths. Chandler’s father will have to speak a word of the night again.

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