August 8, 2011

The Middle East - I Want That You Are Always Happy (2011)

While I Want That You Are Always Happy, is technically The Middle East's first full length album, this by no means reflects their maturity as musicians. A blending of genres defines The Middle East's sound, from the more folky Fleet Foxes tones in "Months" or "Ninth Ave Reverie," to an ambient instrumental in "Sydney to Newcastle," to a meditative hymn in "Mount Morgan," to a more familiar indie rock sound in "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party." A plaintive tone is struck from the beginning and continued throughout the album, starting eerie and introspective in "Black Death 1349" and "My Grandma Was Pearl Hall." Though mixing genres can easily frustrate, The Middle East never strays too far from its folk foundation — well formed harmonies and instrumentation creates an emotional and personal album. Less upbeat than fellow Australians, Boy and Bear, the album has its share of faster tempo tracks to balance out the album. Check out "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party," "Land of The Bloody Unknown" and "Hunger Song."


2 Comments:

awmercy said...

Did they just break up?

Nesto said...

I guess so, but with these guys it's hard to tell. Probably won't be the last we have heard of them.