The Trials of Van Occupanther (10th Anniversary Edition) (LP)

Midlake celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Trials of Van Occupanther with a deluxe reissue via Bella Union. The original album on gold 180g vinyl is 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' - both 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 the band'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.

Rich reserves of wistful melody, dreamy horns, rolling guitars and plaintive pianos reflect its elusive, idiosyncratic narratives: a couple long to be robbed by bandits so they can start anew, an outcast scientist ponders his pariah status, a woman chases a frisky deer, a river leads who knows where yet leaves you little choice but to follow..