MIDLAKE

THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER

JAMES MCNAIR

(Bella Union, 2006) For one of the most acclaimed indie records of its era, the second LP by Denton, Texas’ Midlake has some seriously proggy credentials. A concept? Check. Esoteric-sounding title? Hell, yeah. Cover art mysterious and alluring enough to rival Hipgnosis’ oddest images? Check. The Trials Of Van Occupanther doesn’t have any Mellotron or flugelhorn, but it does have autoharp, dulcimer and some gorgeous flute courtesy of the band’s then-frontman and chief songwriter, Tim Smith. Better yet it’s a world unto itself: a magical and mysterious place in which the listener can lose themselves. Opener Roscoe – a Fleetwood Mac–ish gem later given a seven–minute, psychedelic remix by DJ Erol Alkan, AKA Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve – is immediately transporting. Its lyrics takes a fond look back at stonecutters…

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Prog Italia (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 145

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