At the very beginning of "Bamnan and Slivercork," you'll probably be wondering what the raves are about. By the finale, you'll definitely know.

Midlake quietly crept onto the scene with their debut album, which was completely recorded in their homes. It's a swirling, lo-fi wonderland that quietly strums and blips its way into enchanting melodies, always expanding into strange new territories -- they sound like the folkier cousin of the Flaming Lips and Grandaddy.

It opens with a plaintive little voice, a warble of synth, and a soft guitar melody that thrums out into the open. "They cannot let it expand/they cannot let it expand... they cannot let it," Tim Smith murmurs, putting different emphasis every time he repeats the line. It's a sweet, slow song with little bubbles of synth.

Then it kicks into the utterly enchanting "Balloon Maker," a horn-and-drums melody that always seems to be climbing towards a crescendo. It's the best song Wayne Coyne never made. It meanders quietly through different musical sounds -- twittering synth, lazy guitarpop, and chiming little marches.

From there, Midlake explores different types of psychfolk. They do keyboard foot-stompers, lo-fi ballads with buzzing bass, Grandaddyish electro-ballads, fuzzy soundscapes, ominous pop melodies, swirling folk ballads, and some anguished little acoustic tunes. It all finishes up with the anguished sweeps of "Mr. Amateur."

It's hard to believe that this band was originally a Herbie-Hancockish funk-jazz band. Even harder to believe that they generated all of this at home. But Midlake have not only managed it, but they're churning out some utterly brilliant and creative music, influenced by the best of indie-rock.

While there are echoes of other bands, it doesn't take long for Midlake to establish their own sound. Buzzing lo-fi guitars and bass, muffled drumming, jazzy horns, and some very creative keyboard -- chimes, blips, buzzes, waves of sound and twists of wobbling synth. Rather than drowning out the simple melodies, this instrumentation only enhances it.

Tim Smith obviously took his vocal cues from Mark Linkous, Jason Lytle and Wayne Coyne. He's a bit off-key, vaguely sleepy sounding, but very pleasant to the ear. And he has a knack for songwriting, with the dreamlike songs about men who make balloons, waiting for winter, and laser beams. Most of the songs seem to center on waiting for something astounding.

Midlake's rough-edged little album is enchanting from beginning to end, and will only leave listeners hungry for their second album. Brilliant and illuminating.

While Midlake got some notoriety (and rightfully so) for 2006's "The Trials of Van Occupanther" the hype should have started with their debut album "Bamnan and Slivercork". While not as strong all the way through as Trials, Bamnan actually holds 3 of my favorite Midlake songs, Kingfish Pies, The Jungler, and Mopper's Medley. While Trials certainly had a 70's am rock vibe, interestingly Bamnan actually sounds more in line with recent faves Radiohead, Flaming Lips and Grandaddy. If this helps you at all, I would say that Trials had a sophisticated sound while Bamnan and Slivercork has more of an indie quirkiness. So, if you like your music quirky and unexpected, check out Midlake's "Bamnan and Slivercork".

I actually purchased this one after hearing The Trails of Van Occupanther. Bamnan and slivercork is not quite as good Van Occupanther but if you are a fan of Midlake, you will enjoy it.
Favorite track: "they cannot let it expand"

At the very beginning of "Bamnan and Slivercork," you'll probably be wondering what the raves are about. By the finale, you'll definitely know.

Midlake quietly crept onto the scene with their debut album, which was completely recorded in their homes. It's a swirling, lo-fi wonderland that quietly strums and blips its way into enchanting melodies, always expanding into strange new territories -- they sound like the folkier cousin of the Flaming Lips and Grandaddy.

It opens with a plaintive little voice, a warble of synth, and a soft guitar melody that thrums out into the open. "They cannot let it expand/they cannot let it expand... they cannot let it," Tim Smith murmurs, putting different emphasis every time he repeats the line. It's a sweet, slow song with little bubbles of synth.

Then it kicks into the utterly enchanting "Balloon Maker," a horn-and-drums melody that always seems to be climbing towards a crescendo. It's the best song Wayne Coyne never made. It meanders quietly through different musical sounds -- twittering synth, lazy guitarpop, and chiming little marches.

From there, Midlake explores different types of psychfolk. They do keyboard foot-stompers, lo-fi ballads with buzzing bass, Grandaddyish electro-ballads, fuzzy soundscapes, ominous pop melodies, swirling folk ballads, and some anguished little acoustic tunes. It all finishes up with the anguished sweeps of "Mr. Amateur."

It's hard to believe that this band was originally a Herbie-Hancockish funk-jazz band. Even harder to believe that they generated all of this at home. But Midlake have not only managed it, but they're churning out some utterly brilliant and creative music, influenced by the best of indie-rock.

While there are echoes of other bands, it doesn't take long for Midlake to establish their own sound. Buzzing lo-fi guitars and bass, muffled drumming, jazzy horns, and some very creative keyboard -- chimes, blips, buzzes, waves of sound and twists of wobbling synth. Rather than drowning out the simple melodies, this instrumentation only enhances it.

Tim Smith obviously took his vocal cues from Mark Linkous, Jason Lytle and Wayne Coyne. He's a bit off-key, vaguely sleepy sounding, but very pleasant to the ear. And he has a knack for songwriting, with the dreamlike songs about men who make balloons, waiting for winter, and laser beams. Most of the songs seem to center on waiting for something astounding.

Midlake's rough-edged little album is enchanting from beginning to end, and will only leave listeners hungry for their second album. Brilliant and illuminating.

It doesn't really matter what you're into to appreciate Midlake. These guys create music that's not only beautiful and different, but it's incredibly smart as well. If I was the star of a movie and I had to pick a soundtrack, Midlake would be the creator of that soundtrack. Try it...you'll like it!