Melancholic dudes from Texas had recorded their fourth studio album when their chief and creative director Tim Smith had a breakdown and decided to leave the band. In the middle of recording. The man left them some material, but the rest of the group decided to start over and record the whole new album. I am writing about their fourth album titled Antiphon, released in 2013.
Antiphon is on Midlake’s brand: slower tempo, acoustic folk guitars with synths and discrete multi-vocals. Eric Pulido took Smith’s role for this album, but the rest have also participated, more by playing jam sessions than focusing on the strict, structured songs. Antiphon is slightly better than its predecessor Courage of Others, since the latter one sounded tired and used. With all its flaws, it is impressive when you have in mind that the guys come up with the whole record in only couple of months.
Antiphon did not leave a huge mark on the charts, but it managed to peak higher than any of their previous albums. I am sure that the guys who created Antiphon, Provided and The Old and The Young are going to have even higher success with their upcoming album. My least favorite track from Antiphon is the last one called Ages. It made me think that the selection of songs was not as perfect as I thought before the album ended.
The album does not bring extreme changes. Boys still liked to sing harmonies on the track of The Beach Boys, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but the rock and folk influences are a bit more prominent than ever before. It was hard to expect from Pulido and the rest of the guys to complete reject Smith’s legacy, so they only complemented him with numerous instrumental passages.
Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes ‘stole’ Midlake’s fame, as the band released Trials of Van Occupanther prematurely. The 2006 album come few years before the revival of folk-rock. Still, Midlake is a respected band and Antiphon might be their most recognizable effort. If you ever decide to give Midlake a try, start with this one.
