Music Review

The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006)

Midlake
Reviewed by Michael Endelman | Jul 28, 2006
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Jul 25, 2006; Lead Performance: Midlake; Genre: Indie Rock

It takes a confident band to resurrect the soft-rock sound of Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, but that's exactly what this Denton, Tex., quintet does on its sophomore album. Led by wispy-voiced singer Tim Smith, Midlake excel at lush, harmony-laden ballads like ''Bandits'' and the heart-tugging goodbye song ''You Never Arrived.'' The Trials of Van Occupanther's lyrics mostly focus on rural activities like hunting, gathering, farming, and ''living under branches.'' Will the Farmer's Almanac get a writing credit?

Originally posted Jul 28, 2006 Published in issue #889 Aug 04, 2006 Order article reprints

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement

Today's Most Popular

  1. PopWatch This Week's Cover: 'The Vampire Diaries' stars talk about the red-hot Damon-Elena-Stefan triangle
  2. Inside TV 'The Vampire Diaries': Talk tonight's shocking twist, and find out what's next from producer Julie Plec
  3. TV Recap 'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Love Is in the ER
  4. PopWatch Pro-Ellen ralliers surpass One Million Moms on Facebook
  5. Photo Gallery: Grammys 2012 Grammys 2012: Who will/should win