Formed in Texas in 1999, Midlake began life as (of all things) a jazz-funk band indebted to Herbie Hancock! Everything changed when singer/songwriter Tim Smith heard Radiohead's "OK Computer" and had a lightbulb-exploding musical epiphany. By the time of their first LP therefore (2004's "Banman And Silvercork"), they did indeed sound like a Radiohead covers band playing "White Album" electronic psych and fronted by the singer from Grandaddy! Intriguing, low-key and melodic it's release passed by virtually unnoticed by most. To follow that with one of the greatest records of the last ten years, makes 2006's "The Trials Of Van Occupanther" even more of an astonishing achievement.

There was a mid-70's L.A soft-rock sound, replete with Fleetwood Mac grooves and a troubadour's introspection, but it was the incredible song-writing that really grabbed your attention. These were towering tunes ripe with harmony and invention. Midlake seemed set to go supernova.....which brings us to 2010 and this new album here. Tim Smith and co. have veered left from the stars and ploughed deep underground, specifically to an early 70's U.K folk-rock world, all doomy and mysterious, heavier and sadder. The sound is brooding, darker, more intricate and dense but the songs, rest assured, are still intact. And with Midlake, it's all about The Songs.

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