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The Trials Of Van Occupanther
by
The Trials Of Van Occupanther Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: This sophomore set finds the Texas five-piece utilizing a 1970's classic rock / soft rock sound.

Top Track

Roscoe
Stonecutters made them from stones Chosen specially for you and I Who will live inside The mountaineers gathered tinder piled high In which to take... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  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. AllMusic
    80
    Midlake might be stuck in the '70s, but they make it sound like the best place on earth.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Nostalgic, sure, but comforting, meticulous, and complex.
  5. 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.
  6. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    40
    A painful disappointment.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. YokoMVB
    Nov 1, 2012
    10
    As I write this review it has been six years since I bought this album. It has yet to lose its appeal. A better album has not been made in theAs I write this review it has been six years since I bought this album. It has yet to lose its appeal. A better album has not been made in the those six years. It is a little known, yet classic album.… Expand
  2. JD
    Dec 10, 2006
    10
    My personal favorite of 2006. Great lyrics, great melodies...great time with midlake!
  4. cornelius
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    certainly one of the most fresh and enlightened album of the year, and maybe for many years... i can't understand some press critic certainly one of the most fresh and enlightened album of the year, and maybe for many years... i can't understand some press critic could have given such low rate as 40 to this album ; yes, you could not to be pleased by "The trials...", but you can't say that's not a really good work !… Expand
  5. GSpot
    Oct 17, 2006
    9
    Inviting and smooth. This is most likely the best underated album of the year...impress yourself with this.
  6. Mmmiiikkkkk
    Jul 4, 2015
    9
    The true beginning of the West Coast singer/songwriter movement of the last five years. Warm, beautiful and perfectly produced (by the band.)The true beginning of the West Coast singer/songwriter movement of the last five years. Warm, beautiful and perfectly produced (by the band.) The songs fade wonderfully into each other creating a song cycle about love, loss and how that loss colors everything around it.… Expand
  7. matteof
    Feb 8, 2007
    9
    so romantic, halfway between gloom and joy. "young bride" went even beyond giving plain "chills" : it made my heart soar.
  8. EvanZ
    Feb 26, 2007
    6
    Agree with S Taylor, except maybe The Eagles is being kind. How about America?

See all 21 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best Album of 2006
61
#61 Most Shared Album of 2006