CD Review: Midlake, Bamnan and Slivercork

by Donte Gibson

One thing we want to do with this site is give local bands the kind of in-depth CD reviews they deserve, but rarely get, in the local media. Since we launched during the slowest release period of the year, we gave our staff a grab-bag of local CD's old and new to review to get us started. If you want to review a (preferably new) disc by a local band, send it to us.

Upon first listen to Midlake’s 2004 debut, you would never guess that the band was based in Denton. The group wears its British influences on its sleeve.

One can hear traces of Oasis, The Beatles during their Sgt. Pepper’s period and even a little of The Verve. Perhaps that is why this set was released on the UK label Bella Union and mastered at the famed Abbey Road Studios.

Bamnan and Slivercork is full of beautiful, dream-like soundscapes that eventually fade into electronic distortion (albeit a gradual and artful distortion). While the lo-fi musical arrangement seems full and lush rather than sparse, an area where the album is lacking is in the lyrics department. Every song seems to teeter on the verge of making sense (which perhaps may be the point) and often times leaves you scratching your head. For example, the lyrics to "They Cannot Let It Expand" are simply "They cannot let it expand it’s pretty in here" repeated for a majority of the song’s three minute run time (if you get the meaning of that, hats off to you).

You shouldn’t fret over the lyrics, though, because the music and Mr. Smith’s vocals coax you away from trying to understand the words and lull you into Midlake’s world. "They Cannot Let It Expand" pairs Tim Smith’s vocals with a seeming lullaby-like combination of harp, guitar, and electronic beeps and hisses which serves as a great indicator of what’s to come later. "Balloon Maker," which follows, is equally haunting as it tells it’s very simple tale of a balloon maker who leaves the profession. The set’s best song, "The Jungler," comes about midway through the album. It mixes big band drums and ghostly horn samples and is a welcome diversion. This and "No One Knew Where We Were" show that the band is not afraid to do a little something different with their sound.

So go ahead and jump in, the water’s a little deep but it feels just fine.

Songs to listen for: "Balloon Maker," "The Jungler," "I Guess I’ll Take Care," "No One Knew Where We Were"

Check out the "doin's" on their NEW album here.