BNQT, read as Banquet, is actually Midlake with guest songwriters and singers. Guests include Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, Fran Healt from Travis, Jason Lytle from Granddaddy and Ben Birdwell from Band of Horses. Of course, Midlake’s Eric Pulido is also present. The result of the story is Volume 1. On the first sight, BNQT seems like a very interesting project where many smart heads are brainstorming altogether, creating a summation of psychedelic indie numbers. Every author injected some of his core properties, but I am still left with the impression that Midlake vibe dominates here. It's just that their sound is a bit modified and approachable (euphemism for commercial).
The hit-faculty of the songs give them a special note, and even though songs are separate by sub-genre categorization, they converge into a soft atmosphere that can be successful on radio stations, both in United States (traditional sound) and Europe (due to all guest appearances).
Midlake made the first track Restarts that resembles 70s rock and appears pretty powerful and memorable, while the following Unlikely Force by Ben Biedwell comes off as one of the typical easy-peasy tunes of his mother band. 100 Million Miles brings gorgeous orchestrations, which reveals its author Lytle. Mind of a Man is pure Travis track and no mistakes can be done there. Obscure plus mirthful Hey Bananas is a proof that Kapranos also had fun during the process of recording Volume 1.
Second circle is again opened with Midlake who channel Beatles in Real Love. The song overshadows their earlier works. Why is that, I wonder? LA On My Mind sounds as If Springsteen was a hippie, while the title of the most emotional song on the album goes to Falling At Feeling. Tara is lively, and the grand finale comes in the form of Fighting the World that is coloured with dark verses.
Volume 1 is an intriguing release that shows how guest authors can refresh the band. Rumor has it that only frontman of The Czars rejected the offer to contribute due to other obligations. As Volume 2 is in the making, I can only see this moving in a good direction (unless we don't get Volume 351 in a few years).
Supergroups are growing on trees, but BNQT seems like a fully blossomed flower.
