Midlake celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Trials of Van Occupanther with a deluxe reissue via Bella Union on 180g gold vinyl, complete with a B2 pull-out poster, handwritten lyrics and previously unseen photos. The cover artwork has been reimagined in a fittingly flushed, hallucinatory painting by neo-impressionist Brian Lotti. The original album will be accompanied by a special bonus 7” featuring two previously unreleased tracks, the plaintive rolling lament of 'The Fairest Way' and the revelatory psychedelic swirl of 'Festival', two tracks recorded before original vocalist Tim Smith departed the band...

In 2006, The Trials of Van Occupanther was hailed as an instant classic and over the course of the next year proved to be Midlake’s commercial breakthrough. While their debut, 2004’s Bamnan and Slivercork, had drawn acclaim alongside comparisons to Grandaddy and Radiohead, Midlake looked further afield and deeper within for the follow-up.

Revisiting this ten years later it's surprising how fresh and vibrant this still sounds. It's just as enjoyable and catchy as it was on its release.

The album contains 13 songs (52 min, 49 sec) with two previously unreleased tracks: 'Festival' and ''The Fairest Way'. If you don't already own this then now is the perfect time to pick up this deluxe vinyl edition.

9

Nick Smithson