Midas Fall - Eleven. Return and Revert

Label:Monotreme Release date:19/04/10 Myspace Veering somewhere between ambient and post rock, Midas Fall are one of the latest exports from Scotland (which seems to be creating a few great bands as of late), aiming for lush atmospherics with their album enititled Eleven. Return and Revert. The crooning at the beginning of 'Bright lights will harm no-one', done intensely over a repeating guitar loop, is the welcome mat to a creeping song that changes rhythm. Like a two-headed beast, the song has two sides, both of them soothing and slightly dangerous. On a technical side, the mixing is top notch. All instruments are perfectly blended and again, the beautiful voice of Elizabeth Heaton has a sense of depth, captured pretty well on audio. Some songs can be revisited and little details, like a pick attack in the background in 'Nautical song', are to be found. This sort of reward makes the album experience a bit richer in Eleven. Return and Revert. There are introspective moments here and there, mostly in the shape of the piano-driven 'War pigeon', the poignant ballad/dirge (apply accordingly to mood) that is the foyer to the last third of the album. Here, not only is the mood slightly more belligerent, the songs interlock together in a more coherent way. The lovely piano makes a comeback on a track called '17', only this time there is no longer an ambiguous feeling around. It's all about longing and desire, with the vocals used again as a beckon, while guitar and backing vocals envelope the rest of the instruments. The album, though, can be a little taxing if your taste is for short songs. This doesn't mean it's lacking energy , its just a little bit more diligent in its attack, perhaps even humble. Amidst the atmosphere and drones, there is a poetry, with a sad voice juxtaposed. 'Stalking moon' closes the album with a bang, with a note that resonates even after the music has stopped.