Midlake
The Courage of Others

With "The Courage Of Others", the Texans Midlake attempt to ensure no one misses that masterpiece "The Trials Of Van Occupanther", which caught everyone's attention. And in my opinion, they succeed, or almost; using a foundation that is often different from the previous work, but with very similar characteristics nonetheless.

"The Courage Of Others" bewilders anyone at first listen because it is a thousand times more homogeneous than the previous album, more dark and melancholic and therefore slower. Certainly, it lacks peaks like "Roscoe", "Head Home", and "Bandit"; however, it gains a striking emotional impact and an extraordinary mood. An impact that would be bitterly broken if it weren't for the dominant uniformity. But don’t worry, because even if the usual 3-4 singles are missing, you can't help but adore beautiful songs like "Core Of Nature", "Winter Dies", or "Rulers, Ruling All Things".

If Occupanther was closer to a certain soft-rock from the mid-seventies and Radiohead, the new work lands on territories closer to late sixties England, reminding us of the prog-folk of Fairport Convention or Jethro Tull. Symbolic of this might well be the meticulously precise compositional structure, with guitar riffs majestically intertwined with first-rate vocal parts; with a bass that always stands out, always trying to say its piece. The flute is indispensable, and the electric guitar inserts are invaluable in enlivening the refined melodies.

"The Courage Of Others" must be listened to with the mind focused on the present, shifting thoughts away from what "The Trials Of Van Occupanther" was. Only then can you understand its essence.

Sure, they could have easily proposed all they had to say in an EP of 4-5 tracks, because here they aim at all costs for a particular sound, making the album seem somewhat insincere and a tad artificial.

But, amidst half-confirmations or perhaps half-disappointments, Midlake remains.

Rating: 6.5/10