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The Trials Of Van Occupanther - Midlake
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Van Occupanther's spell finally breaks a little more than halfway through its 11 tracks, when the songs begin to feel more fussed-over and conceptual and less organic, but the warmth never fades.
  2. ShakingThrough.net
    90
    While The Trials of Van Occupanther may never be more than a cult favorite, those seeking to till peculiarly American musical soil will undoubtedly reap a rewarding and plentiful harvest.
  3. PopMatters
    90
    The Trials of Van Occupanther is such a nuanced, finely layered work that Midlake has certainly crafted one of the best releases of 2006.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Midlake excel at lush, harmony-laden ballads like "Bandits" and the heart-tugging goodbye song "You Never Arrived." [4 Aug 2006, p.68]
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  5. Drowned In Sound
    80
    A truly delectably odd album of archaic echoes and future-classic choruses.
  6. Mojo
    80
    As with Sufjan Stevens' Illinois, we're dealing with an invigorating, many-faceted work of diverse instrumentation and durability. [Jul 2006, p.106]
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  7. Uncut
    80
    Much of it... sounds like the spiritual cousin of Neil Young's After The Gold Rush and Harvest, sharing the same back-to-nature rusticity. [Jul 2006, p.101]
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  8. All Music Guide
    80
    Midlake might be stuck in the '70s, but they make it sound like the best place on earth.
  9. The Guardian
    80
    This could well end up one of 2006's best.
  10. musicOMH.com
    80
    Compared variously to The Flaming Lips and Grandaddy, Midlake's take on '70s soft rock is actually better than both.
  11. Lost At Sea
    80
    The good far outweighs the bad on this lack-of-thread-concept-album, and if you are dying to hear a modern day take on the 70's soft rock band, check out Midlake.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Nostalgic, sure, but comforting, meticulous, and complex.
  13. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    The warmth and the easy familiarity enable The Trials of Van Occupanther to stand on its own.
  14. Under The Radar
    70
    The Trials of Van Occupanther is a beautiful piece of moody ambience, and an enchanting album that ultimately continues to reveal itself even after numerous listens. [#14]
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  15. Paste Magazine
    70
    Van Occupanther feels like a contrarian response to so many bands copping from '60s psych-pop and '80s New Wave while leaving out everything in between.
  16. Prefix Magazine
    70
    I really struggled with whether Van Occupanther's literary, slightly nerdy, Ren-fair-leaning lyrics were more of a help or a hindrance to the album.... But at least Midlake risked the ridiculous.
  17. Magnet
    70
    Seductively strange. [#73, p.98]
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  18. Pitchfork
    68
    An encouraging but ultimately disappointing contemplation of time's ceaselessness, love's promise, and Harvest-era Neil Young.
  19. Stylus Magazine
    67
    Despite [some] fine moments, occasionally Van Occupanther can feel a little too slick and one-note.
  20. Q Magazine
    60
    Smooth and intermittently sublime it may be, but their previous weirdness is much missed. [Jun 2006, p.117]
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  21. NOW Magazine
    60
    The uniformity of song structure, tone and tempo, though initially captivating, soon becomes monotonous.
  22. Delusions of Adequacy
    60
    So while the subdued vocal harmonies and acoustic folk influences of 70s pop bands Chicago and America can be heard, there is enough intricately layered dream-pop floating around the fleshed-out orchestrations to keep indie-rock fans contented.
  23. Tiny Mix Tapes
    40
    A painful disappointment.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Ricko
    8
    trials 8 It's folk/rock but Midlake sound pretty different to almost everyone else around the place at the moment. This record reminds me a little of Fleetwood Mac, kind of a 70's rock vibe off it. This is a record full of really strong songwriting, you can hear a lot of work has gone into the process of constructing the songs. It's my favourite Midlake record by a long way. "Young Bride" and "Branches" are at the centre of the album and are the highlights for me.… Full Review »
  2. MG.
    10
    This is a really beautiful collection of songs that must have took real courage to make. There is no filter here, just music made with so much heart and care that it will change you for the better.… Full Review »
  3. JohnnyD
    9
    Beautiful album, rich in texture and tone. One of 2006's best.
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