Until a recent search told me so, I did not realize that Midlake is comprised of former members of the now defunct Cornbread All-Stars. I distinctly remember seeing that kooky band name on a flyer that had been plastered almost apologetically among a sea of other brightly colored papers on a bulletin board post that looked as if it would crumble at any minute under the weight of the hopes and ambitions of hundreds of talented bands in Denton, Texas at the turn of the millennium. Much like many of the budding young musicians at the University of North Texas, jazz was the influential art form of choice for the All-Stars in the beginning. And as the transformation took place to the more traditionally titled Midlake (named for the geography of Denton County), the sounds of Herbie Hancock gave way to the sounds of Thom Yorke.
The stunning Trials of Van Occupanther sounds like a more straightforward Jethro Tull, minus the moments of medieval monotony. Don't let the conceptually heavy-handed videos fool you, this stuff is great. It's perfect for a brisk autumn jog; or even more appropriately, a chilly morning drive. It's like guitar driven Radiohead sewn into the sounds of leaves crunching underfoot. It's not overly immediate, mind you. But with repeated listens, the rewards unfold exponentially.
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