The Middle East – I Want That You Are Always Happy

Auf den Spuren der Band The Middle East geht es nicht in den Nahen Osten, sondern noch ein wenig weiter bis nach Townsville in Queensland, Australien. Das Kollektiv (je nach Quelle und Foto variiert die Anzahl der Bandmitglieder zwischen vier und sieben), dass sich 2005 gründete und bereits mehrere Umbesetzungen und Auflösungen hinter sich brachte, hat mit „The Recordings Of The Middle East“ (2009) und „Jesus Came To My Birthday Party“ (2010) bereits zwei EPs veröffentlicht. Nun folgt der erste Longplayer, jedoch bisher nur in Australien und Neuseeland.

Bitte einmal das Video zu „Blood“ ansehen/-hören, eine positive Review lesen, die Namen The Low Anthem, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes und Sufjan Stevens im Kopf kreisen lassen und der melancholischen bis schaurig-schönen Platte „I Want That You Are Always Happy“ eine Chance geben. Bei 14 Titeln und einer Spielzeit von fast einer Stunde kann man auch verschmerzen, dass die zweite Hälfte den ein oder anderen Füller parat hält.

“Blood” Video (2009)

Opening track Black Death 1349 stays true to the title as a fairy sombre song with singer Jordan Ireland driving the song with his classic vocals; this carries on to My Grandma Was Pearl Hall, which resembles a depressed Empire Of The Sun.

Previous single Jesus Came To My Birthday Party breaks the sombre vibe that the album presents in the first three tracks with the welcome introduction of Bree Tranter's voice and an upbeat melody with light-hearted lyrics. This trend follows into track five Land Of The Bloody Unknown, which boasts a catchy melody along with a simple time structure. An obvious selection for a future single.

Deep Water is hauntingly beautiful with the collaboration of timely instruments which include an acoustic guitar, piano and slide guitar to create a ten minute long masterpiece. The clear standout on this album.

Although there are seven members of The Middle East, the album does not suffer from an overload of sound. In songs like Mount Morgan and Dan’s Silverleaf each element works perfectly with Ireland to create a spacious sound.
Ireland’s vocals are undoubtedly a vital element. At times there's a clear resemblance to Jeff Buckley, this is especially present in Hunger Song, where Ireland’s clear and faultless vocals will make you instantly fall in love.

There is no way to easily lump this album into one genre; with the band serving up a mixed pot of folk, ambience, pop, country and alternative rock. The guys prove their mature musical abilities, as well as a wide appreciation for beautiful music; no matter what genre it may belong to. Each track brings a necessary element to the album, which upon removing would be similar to skipping a chapter in a book.

The band have managed to produce a classic sounding album, filled with tracks that are too good to simply be lost in the background.
(themusicnetwork.com)