[My Gang] Midlake – Rulers, Ruling All Things : Reco of the Week 21 Dec 2010

tisdag 21 Dec 2010, 11:25

Track: Rulers, Ruling All Things
Artist: Midlake
Album: The Courage Of Others (Bella Union 1 Feb 2010) [We7 | Spotify]
Tags: progressive, folk rock, americana, my gang rotw
Video: Click the pic…

http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Uth5OkURS5Q/default.jpg YouTube, official video

The longest night became the darkest night as this year's lunar eclipse coincided with the solstice, a first since 1638. The next time they coincide will be 21 December 2094.

The moon blazed red and gold as every sunrise and sunset on Earth was reflected back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZWIgUUPZ8

Why red?
A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is underway. You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet is on fire! As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb.
Back on Earth, the shadowed Moon paints newly fallen snow with unfamiliar colors–not much luster, but lots of beauty.

http://shadowandsubstance.com/2010%201221%20lun%20ecl/CSThalf.png

The solstice marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern. It is a time of endings and new beginnings. An eclipse gives this time more power. Now is the time to let go of what isn't working, dream new dreams, make plans and set processes in motion for where you want to be next.

A lunar eclipse is always soon followed by a solar eclipse, which will occur on 4 January 2011.

http://ccdimages.com/astronomy/Eclipse2010.jpg
(Source: nightskylive.net)

To mark such a celestial and spiritual occurrence, I have chosen Midlake's Rulers, Ruling All Things, for its majesty and for the line, I stood in awe of the whole creation.

The track begins in the stars, with high notes and no percussion. Acoustic guitars and distant bells come in followed by soft vocals and harmonies. The chorus lifts off with all the emotion that has been restrained to this point.

I only want to be left to my own ways
The rulers of one leaving all things undone
I stood in awe of the whole creation
Gathered among them was the morning
Giving all its rays

I like how the video makes it mediaeval via the 1970s. It looks like a string of memories sparked by old snapshots. Images are superimposed and shimmering, culminating in mirror-images and part-kaleidoscopes that shift and hold.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51q7NUH1D-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Midlake's music is huge, exhibiting extraordinary musicianship and ideas partly inspired by Radiohead and partly by progressive folk rock, particularly Jethro Tull, with their flute and mediaeval splendour. In the mix is space rock, drawing further comparisons with Grandaddy. The whole is cosmic.

I have wanted to recommend from this album all year. Then in spring, John Grant released his solo album, Queen Of Denmark which he made with Midlake, and I wanted to recommend I Wanna Go To Marz. Now is my chance to right these wrongs (of the common writer) and mention both of these exceptional albums.

I realise this isn't exactly Jingle Bells, but I figure everyone is getting their fill of festive cheer everywhere else. Here, I just want to take a moment to reflect, honour the year that has gone, count my blessings and prepare to celebrate this weekend.

Merry Christmas!!

Babs_05

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[My Gang] Midlake – Rulers, Ruling All Things : Reco of the Week 21 Dec 2010

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[My Gang] Midlake – Rulers, Ruling All Things : Reco of the Week 21 Dec 2010

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