NEW MUSIC DIGEST

What's on the Stereo at Naim?
A list of our current favourites around the office and our record of the month!

Rakim ‘The Seventh Seal' (SMC)

Fanfarlo ‘Reservoir' (self-released)

Delphic ‘Acolyte' (Polydor)

Jesca Hoop ‘Hunting My Dress' (Last Laugh)

The Heavy ‘The House That Dirt Built' (Ninja Tune)

Phoenix ‘Wolfgang Amadeus' (V2)

Herman Dune ‘Giant' (Source)

Sade ‘Love Deluxe' (Sony)

Charlotte Gainsbourg ‘IRM' (Because Music)

Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion (Domino)

Yeasayer ‘Odd Blood' (EMI)

Spinnarette ‘Spinnarette' (Hassle)

Streets ‘Everything is Borrowed' (Sixsevennine)

David Sylvian ‘Secret of the Beehive' (Virgin)

Eels ‘Blinking Lights & Other Revelations' (Polydor)

The Necks ‘Hanging Gardens' (ReR)

ALBUM OF THE MONTH

The Courage Of Others - Midlake (Bella Union)

The Courage of Others is the long awaited 3rd album from the Texan band Midlake. Coming 4 years after The Trials of Van Occupanther, The Courage of Others is definitely not more of the same, however, it does share some common ground. It is not an easy album to get into to and improves with each listen, as did The Trials which even now sounds fresh and new with its 70 rock infused folk and fantastical lyrics. However, the new album is definitely more folk than rock and the druid imagery on the front cover sets the mood for the album. It is beautifully crafted with the same mix of instruments, and still has the trademark flute. What's missing from this album, for me anyway, is any form of uplifting melody, and an overbearing sadness is present both in the tunes and the lyrics. Having said this, it definitely compliments The Trials proved by Midlake's live performances where the songs are intermixed with great effect and the rock is put back into the folk-rock where it was missing from the album. A great band live - go and see!!!!