Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther

This is an album that was recommended to me by Sean, thanks Sean!!

Released in June 2006, this is the second album from this 5 piece from Denton, Texas. Their sound is almost 70's folk (don't laugh) and pulls influence from Steeley Dan, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles apparently (can't say I could comment knowing none of these bands!).

You can hear from the outset that these are talented and diligent musicians with a strong songwriting ethic. Their music sounds like it does, because that how they want it to sound. I know that sounds daft, but they are not producing music like this to appease the masses. If that was the case, they be cranking up the guitars, screaming into the microphone and producing more North American rock dirge .

Having checked You Tube for some live footage, they appear to be totally into their live performance too. Lots of visuals and obvious affection for their songs.

Favourite tracks Roscoe, Young Bride, Bandits, It Covers the Hillsides.

I haven't had this off my ipod for days now and look forward to putting it on again, and again. I can often be found lying in bed, drifting off to sleep to their dreamy sound....

I totally recommed. Just check out their myspace site, check out a few of the tracks...You won't be dis-appointed. Check out their standings too in last years 2006 review. Pretty impressive.

The Onion (# 3)
Uncut (# 7)
Mojo (# 9)
Q (# 21)
NME (# 40

Why I hate January!!??

- Clearing the car of snow every morning
- Clearing the drive and wondering if I should double the workload and clear next door's too - Always a conundrum
- The effing cold has now cracked my windscreen (windshield for N.Americans!)
- Christmas and New Year is over. Sniff sniff
- Summer seems so long away
- No visitors from England for ages
- No money!!
- The TV is shit (although American Idol has started (?) Did I just say that??)
- It's dark going to work and dark coming home, is it light in the day?
- No gigs (although have booked to see Midake and Rob Dickinson in Feb)
- Work is all PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING!!!
- Everyone saying "we can't complain, these winters aren't as bad as they were 20 years ago". Annoying gits
- If coming home at Christmas is going to become 'the annual', then feeling homesick, deflated and missing everyone will become an even bigger reason to hate January...

....However...Reasons to look forward to life post-January!!!

- Going to see Midlake in February 2007 (review of their album to follow!!)
- Going to Deerhurst in February for Clair's B'day with Kate and Sean!! Should be fun...
- Neil, Julie and Melissa are over in May and we are going to Chicago!!
- Denise, Bill and Dan are over in August - Going to NYC again!!
- Dan Dan over again too...more Carry on!!
- Denis and Ena are over too....BABYSITTERS!!!!!
- Rache is coming too...Looking forward to the Leffe Rache!! I'll drink you under the patio table!!
- TV gets better in Spring!!
- New series of SURVIVOR!!!
- Work gets back to normal
- The sun WILL shine once more...
- Long summer evening sipping martini's on the patio
- Camping trips up North...HAVE to go more often this year
- Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving and Christmas again
- HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! (don't do them parsnips again Denise!!!)