I knew I had a soft spot for soft rawk. There are meriad influences displayed on this album - from Thom Yorke's vocal inflections to the eclectic instrumentation of Sufjan Stevens. But to merely compare this album to those artists would be doing it injustice. The 70's soft rock genre is suprisingly fresh in this treatment, sharing some similarities to Ambulance LTD's "Arbuckle's Swan Song" or "Country Gentleman" - only I guess a little less poppy or at least a bit more subdued. The most popular reference point in most reviews is that of Fleetwood Mac, which isn't a bad thing at all - but they're hardly Midlake's doppleganger. Great album, certainly not perfect - and perhaps what it does best is make you want more. Let's hope their next album is even more stunning.… Expand

best album of 2006

certainly one of the albums of the year no contest... cs

So refreshing to hear music like this being made. wonderful harmonies with the vocals. I dare say this is timeless music. It's Fleetwood Mac for the new generation.

Absolutely stunning album that is looking like being my album of the year unless something sneaks up on inside of the last few months of this year.

Midlake appears in 2006 with this album, surely one of the best albums of 2006, in my opinion. The tracks of this new album are so freshness and the continuous beauty starts from the beginning to the end. Music that enters in our ears of tempering form whose trend of listening increases of exponential form, but always with some smoothing. Songs as “Roscoe”, “Van Occupanther”, In This Camp”, “Branches”, “Young Bride”, “We Gathered in Spring”, “Bandits” and “Head Home” are the clear proof of this extraordinary album. Brilliant!… Expand

Midlake have given us a beautifully crafted album which deserves to be widely heard. This absolute gem is undoubtedly one of the albums of the year.

Inviting and smooth. This is most likely the best underated album of the year...impress yourself with this.

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 !

Easily one of the top albums from 2006, if not the best, in my opinion. Excellent harmonies, instrumentation, and a genuine warm feel to the entire album. I challenge any music fan or chin stroker to not be moved upon hearing "Roscoe" for the first or second time. Opening up with said track sets a really high bar, but the following songs happen to match it. The second half of the disc isn't as strong, but it's still better than most full albums released in 2006. Highly recommended!… Expand

I love this album, and I'm so glad it's finally being rated on METACRITIC. Side A is fantastic: "Roscoe" and "Young Brides" are among the best songs you'll hear this year, especially if you remember Fleetwood Mac's 70s records fondly. I was a child then, and Midlake's album takes me right back. "Roscoe," especially, has amazing layered harmonies. The vocal turns in the song are slippery and novel, and it has some of the most memorable phrasing I've heard this year ("Whenever I was I child I wondered what if my name had changed into something more productive like Roscoe, been born in 1891, waiting with my aunt Rosaline"). The only real criticism I can think of is that the album is a bit frontloaded, but only because Side A is so strong. But I the second half is very good indeed. The closing song, "Head Home," has a smooth, Fleetwood-Mac/Steely Dan-like vibe, with a bouncy piano line and the band's great harmonies. "We Gathered in Spring" has thick synth sounds that shimmy up through the acoustic guitars during the chorus. It's another homage to 70s soft rock, but I can't put my finger on the influences. "You Never Arrived" is a good song too, if a bit inconsequential at under 2:00. "Van Occupanther" is an outstanding album.… Expand

Well, it finally happened. The circle is complete. In the 70's, punk exploded to save rock and roll from progressive rock, singer-songwriters, etc. Now, it has all come back. We have critically acclaimed "progressive rock" (The Flaming Lips), sensitive singer-songwriters (emo, anyone?), and now...The Eagles return!!! Probably the least hip super-popular rock band of the last 35 years has returned as indie pop. Not that I don't like it. But then I like the Eagles, too.… Expand

My personal favorite of 2006. Great lyrics, great melodies...great time with midlake!

Pretty much my favorite album of the year so far, but unlike other standouts--e.g. TV On Radio, Destroyer, Belle and Sebastian, Guillemots--it seems to have slipped off the radar a bit. It's too bad. Just great.

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.

Agree with S Taylor, except maybe The Eagles is being kind. How about America?

Beautiful album, rich in texture and tone. One of 2006's best.