LateNightTales :Midlake released 4th April 2011
aaamusic | On 28, Jan 2011
After a decade of compilations by the likes of Groove Armada, Belle & Sebastian, Cinematic Orchestra, Air and Arctic Monkeys, 2011 looks to be another remarkably successful year for Late Night Tales as vintage rock band Midlake add their edition to the mix.
Formed in small town Denton in Texas, over the course of almost a decade the five conscientious musicians have quietly become one of the most alluring acts to come out of America. With their reputation as endless hard workers and live shows that leave audiences in stunned awe, it’s unsurprising that Midlake have attracted an ever expanding fan-base from around the word.
With the vision of creating a sound pleasing to their fans but also encapsulating their own creativity, Midlake’s debut album, ‘Bamnan and Slivercork’ became an instant favourite for fans and critics, being deemed a work of pure dedication, talent and vision. Follow up album, ‘The Trials of Van Occupanther’, saw the band experiment with 1970’s Southern California harmony rock, but it is Midlake’s third album, ‘The Courage of Others’, that encapsulates many of the interests reflected on the Late Night Tales mix. With their work speaking endlessly of nature, simpler times and soothed souls, it is unsurprising that the band’s Late Night Tales album can only be described as a warm and haunting, nostalgic collaboration of folk and light rock.
Taking their time over album releases; ‘The Courage of Others’ was released six years after their debut, Midlake have clearly followed the same process when choosing tracks to feature on their Late Night Tales compilation. Carefully selecting tracks from the likes of uniquely creative Comus, to obscure Edinburgh threesome Bread, Love and Dreams, Midlake’s is certainly one of the more enchanting and captivating track listings.
Journeying across the plains of North America, the wilds of the British Isles and fleeting visits to Holland and Iceland, Midlake’s Late Night Tales is a voyage through all that mesmerises and enchants. Incorporating tracks from the likes of deeply seductive vocalist Scott Walker to Bjork (a frequent among the Late Night Tales compilations) Midlake’s instalment certainly does not disappoint. Beach House’s captivating and thought provoking ‘Silver Soul’ further launches Midlake’s compilation into the realm of the imaginary and magical.
As with all Late Night Tales instalments, Midlake add their own unique twist to the compilation with their exclusive and much honoured acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Am I Going Insane’.
With a highly anticipated new album in the pipeline and a welcomed return to End of the Road Festival later in the year, Midlake are a welcomed addition to the diversely talented Late Night Tales family.
Will Self draws the compilation to a close with the final part of his spoken word short story, ‘The Happy Detective’.
