Midlake

Add Date: January 26

Artist: Midlake

Album: The Courage of Others

Label: Bella Union

Genre: Rock, folk rock

Comments: Like many others, I picked up Midlake's brilliant 2006 LP, The Trials of Van Occupanther, several months into 2007. That late discovery was triggered in part by the obscurity of their record label, Bella Union; it's a great UK-based imprint, but with limited name recognition here in the States. (To correct that, The Courage of Others is being distributed by Yep Roc on this side of the pond.) But as more and more folks caught up with the Denton, Texas-based band's '70s-infused sound--Van Occupanther channels, at times, Jethro Tull; at others, Fleetwood Mac; still others, Neil Young--momentum started to build for the band, with excitement brewing over what Tim Smith and co. would do next.

What they've done is another masterstroke. The Courage of Others takes the classic sound back even further, borrowing liberally from '60s British folk and, on the lyrics to "Core of Nature," lyrics from a Goethe poem. However, the style that is quickly becoming Midlake's trademark--a blend of electric and acoustic guitars, flute and recorder, strings, autoharp and percussion--is still prevalent here. And Smith, in his own right, is a terrific songwriter, with or without the help of Germany's finest.

I always try to provide a comparison to other modern-day artists, but with Midlake, that's a tall order. I don't really think anyone else is doing what they're doing. Again, '70s rock fans will find plenty to like here. As will 21st-century indie and folk fans, just because the record is so damn good. Check out "Winter Dies," "Rulers, Ruling All Things," "Fortune" and the title track.