I read that 'The Courage Of Others' could be imagined as the Romantic poets mourning climate change to a 1970s folk rock soundtrack. That might sound strange but the third album from the Texan quintet Midlake does sound something like that. Unlike most folk rock records, this album is far from gentle. There are sweeping harmonies and classical elements mixed with angry guitars and dark lyrics. This is serious, serious music.
After Spinal Tap and the Stonehenge scene, I find it hard not to laugh at any sort of British style prog-rock music, but there is no laughing here (well, okay, there is, but just a little). This album sounds from another time, certainly not from 2010 anyway, and I doubt that Midlake will be a 'cool' name to drop this year, but I always appreciate acts who attempt, and succeed in doing something different from their time. Midlake are definitely doing this and are better for it.
