ARTIST: Midstates
TITLE: Boxing Twilight
LABEL: Reincarnate Music
GENRE: Indie
BITRATE: 196kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 42m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-02-21
RIP DATE: 2006-02-03
Track List
----------
1. Till Dead 3:28
2. Don't Ask 4:34
3. Even Though 3:43
4. Issues Today 4:11
5. Us Explode 4:43
6. Destroy Them Anyway 3:46
7. Under There 2:55
8. Passed For Promotion 5:47
9. Either Way 5:51
10. Decision At Dusk 1:18
11. Favorite Television Show 2:35
Release Notes:
For fans of: The Flaming Lips, The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine
Picture an astronaut conducting and/or producing a rock band, and it may very
well come out sounding like the Midstates. This Chicago-based sextet specializes
in spacey, symphonic rock, which they create by mixing "vintage and analog
instruments with modern digital processing and effects." An obvious influence is
the Flaming Lips, but the Midstates prove to be less quirky than Wayne Coyne and
company, as they focus more on the songwriting aspect of things. The group's
debut release, 2003's Shadowing Ghosts, received some glowing reviews (including
renowned music writer's Jim DeRogatis), and the group definitely avoid the
sophomore jinx on their 2006 followup, Boxing Twilight. Like most of the better
space rock bands that came before them, the Midstates recognize the importance
of when not to play, as evidenced by the minimalist openings of both "Us
Explode," "Decision at Dusk," and "Favorite Television Show." But it's not all
shoegazing here, folks, as evidenced by the jarring album opener, "Till Dead"
(which features possibly the first-ever use of harmonica on a space rock song)
and the Air-ish Moog synth work of "Issues Today." Disposable rock music crazes
may come and go, but it seems like space rock will always have an audience, as
groups like the Midstates lead the charge in the early 21st century.