Midlake - Roscoe
midlake are a group of jazz musicians gone bad who hail from the great state of texas. roscoe is a little gem from their album ‘the trials of van occupanther’ which was released in 2006. the song is a rhythmic ode to the simple life. in fact, the rhythm is is what makes the song. it’s a precise, driving rhythm derived from a great bassline. midlake also do a wonderful job with harmony. alone, the lead vocalist’s voice is a bit thin, but the layering and the supporting vocals of his bandmates and the music (the music) makes the song great. more than that, they’ve captured the essence of the subject matter. it provides something of an authentic experience. when i hear it, i feel i should be outside chopping wood or milking a cow (or at least supervising. i’m allergic to udders.). other standouts on the album include ‘head home’ and ‘young bride.’ they’re both well worth a listen.
Stonecutters made them from stones
Chosen especially for you and I
Who will live inside
The mountaineers gathered tender piled high
In which to take along
Driving many miles, knowing they’d get here
When they got here, all exhausted
On the roof leaks they got started
And now when the rain comes
We can be thankful
Ooh aah ooh
When the mountaineers
Saw that everything fit, they were glad and so they took off
Thought
We were devoid
A change or two
Around this place
When they get back they’re all mixed up with no one to stay with
The village used to be all one really needs
That’s filled with hundreds and hundreds of chemicals
That mostly surround you
You wish to flee but it’s not like you
So listen to me, listen to me
Oh, oh, oh and when the morning comes
We will step outside
We will not find another man inside
We like the newness, the newness of all
That has grown in our garden soaking for so long
Whenever I was a child
I wondered what if my name had changed
Into something more productive like Roscoe
Been born in 1891
Waiting with my Aunt Rosaline
Thought
We were devoid
A change or two
Around this place
When they get back they’re all mixed up with no one to stay with
1891
They looked around the forest
They made their house from cedars
They made their house from stones
Oh, they’re a little like you
And they’re a little like me
When they’re falling me
Thought
We were devoid
A change or two
Around this place
This place
This place
When they get back they’re all mixed up with no one to stay with
When they get back they’re all mixed up with no one to stay with
-the skinny miracle
