Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Back in 2006 I learned about a band from Texas called Midlake.  I bought a CD copy of their second album, The Trials of Van Occupanther, and played it endlessly.  I still think it is one of the underappreciated albums of the aughts.

Tim Smith was the band’s primary songwriter as well as their vocalis and guitarist.  When he left Midlake in 2012, I lost interest in the group, though their music without him still received positive critical notice.

Smith has been pretty quiet ever since, but he recently released a single – “I Am The Seed” – in advance of an album to be called Albion, under the band name Harp.  Harp is a project Smith has launched with his wife, Kathi Zung.

“I Am The Seed” sounds like classic Midlake.  Smith’s forlorn vocals are still a distinctive feature of the tune that has Baroque pop/rock trappings.  In an interview he mentioned that this album will feature songs inspired by the music of Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, Tears For Fears, and The Cure.  Not a bad group of artists to emulate!

The full album is scheduled for release in December.

Enjoy… until next week.