Review Summary: Not the earthy type? Well, I’m afraid you may be out of luck.
Ever driven in one direction to the point of obvious intent, Midlake have decided to switch up things a bit for their third studio album. For what has almost been three years, the band have slaved away in the confines of their recording studio and private workshops to craft the framework for
The Courage Of Others, and, well, for what purpose exactly? Why did the album take so long to create? First listens to the album detail a stripped-down approach that seems to be a regression for the band in more ways than one. In some areas, sure, it actually is a step backwards for the band; however, in a different sort of way, Midlake have taken a small step forward by opting for a different take on their blend of indie-rock and folk-ish atmospheres. The results are a bit blotchy and incomplete in parts, but the heart of
Courage of Others is pretty solid in its conception and make-up.
For starters, the indie-rock aspect that pervaded much of their debut
Bamnam and Silvercork has been done away with for a concentrated folk element--the beginnings of which were first heard on
The Trials of Van Occupanther. As such, long gone are the days where one might nod one’s head to the rhythm and beat of “Young Bride”; instead, the band have decided to get even more serious with this release. The foundation of sound that Tim Smith and crew have laid down for
The Courage Of Other is comprised of a prevalent acoustic guitar element, flutes, and an electric guitar that shows up every now and then to supplement Tim and Eric’s acoustic structures. The mood for the music has also changed drastically; whereas past records were fairly light-hearted and easy to listen to,
The Courage of Others is a very serious lyrical journey into the areas of nature and the matters of the Earth. These changes have a negative repercussion in that many fans may feel alienated, or worse, completely separated from the band in their new direction for this album.
One strength--and it may be the album’s primary strength--is the growth and maturity to be found in lead singer Tim Smith’s voice. As Tim sings the somber verses of “Rulers, Ruling All Things”, his weathered and aged tone has this ability to sound old without sounding
old. This makes the transition of the song to the admittedly catchy chorus very powerful and meaningful. For as what could have been typical and elementary if sung by anyone else, Tim has a way of making the phrase,
’I only want to be left to my own ways / The rulers of one leaving all things undone’, sound like he has experienced the subject of the song himself. Likewise, the rest of the album plays in a very similar way, and the singer is able to connect to subjects that most may not have been able to. This brings up another issue in that the similar format of the album may be one of its downfalls. Whereas
Bamnam and Silvercork and
The Trials of Van Occupanther were varied, soothing, and memorable albums,
The Courage of Others sounds too familiar from one song to the next; because of this, only a few songs stand out from Midlake’s third album--“Acts Of Man”, “Core Of Nature”, “Rulers, Ruling All Things”, and “The Courage Of Others”--but even those aren’t that great when compared to what the Texan band have offered in the past.
Ever have the urge to sit out in the middle of the forest so you can listen to Mother Nature’s “noise”? No? Well, neither have I really--in fact, I doubt very many of us ever have. Therein lies
Courage Of Others biggest hindrance as an album: Midlake have alienated their fan base, or most listeners in general for that matter, with a direction that’s not nearly as easy to connect with in comparison to the band’s past releases. What was at first a light, easy-listening affair of indie-rock, has become a “call-to-the-Earth” folk message that tapers to a select group of people. Individual tracks do happen to stand strong on their own, however, and the growth to be heard in lead singer Tim Smith's voice is noticeable and perfectly-fitted for the album’s mood. In assessing the level of successfulness in
The Courage Of Others, I believe it just comes down to what mood you’re currently in when listening to the album. Not the earthy type? Well, I’m afraid you may be out of luck.
