Are "black midi" the next big thing in guitar based music?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by DotKom11, May 15, 2019.

  1. DotKom11

    DotKom11 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    They take a little getting used to but if you give them a chance they have the most original sound I've heard in a long time. Something is happening here and I'm excited to see where it goes.

    Background
    Get to Know black midi, a New Type of British Guitar Band | Pitchfork

    New Single


    Best example of their live sound
    black midi - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

    Album pre-order
    black midi - Schlagenheim – Rough Trade

    They are definitely not for everyone but I'm curious what people think.

    I'm personally enjoying their sound and originality. I feel like originality is sorely missing from guitar based music in 2019.
     
  2. Lilainjil

    Lilainjil Forum Resident

    It's a nifty track. Reminds me of Fripp's League of Gentleman but with a more interesting rhythm section.
    But those vocals... not sure what to think.
     
    pantofis, bhazen, rcsrich and 4 others like this.
  3. DotKom11

    DotKom11 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    I completely agree that the vocals can be off-putting at times. They take some getting used to.

    The drumming on the other hand is top shelf IMO.
     
  4. John54

    John54 Senior Member

    Location:
    Burlington, ON
    My first impression is that it sounds like a cross between the Housemartins and Stump, probably leaning toward the latter.
     
  5. The Elephant Man

    The Elephant Man Forum Resident

    You nailed it! The instrumental track reminded me of League of Gentlemen (with a dash of early Pere Ubu.)
    Geez, the LoG were a great band to dance to!
    Btw, I'm warming up to their vocals.
     
  6. Kate_C.

    Kate_C. abyssus abyssum invocat

    I'm not sure what you heard cupcake, but to my ears: "Siam is going to be the witness to ultimate test of cerebral fitness..."
     
  7. Glenn Christense

    Glenn Christense Foremost Beatles expert... on my block

    I only listened to the linked video on my phone but the vocalist sort of sounded like David Byrne on speed or similar . :D
     
  8. Purplerocks

    Purplerocks Forum Resident

    Location:
    IN
    Could be my forthcoming earworm
    I dig it
     
  9. Vern

    Vern Forum Resident

    Location:
    London
    New album out Friday, can't wait. Unfortunately I jumped aboard the hype train, so I have high expectations.
     
  10. the jesus abyss

    the jesus abyss Forum Resident

    Location:
    england
    They're incredible live, their drummer really is something special.

    Really interested to hear the record, so far their released material has been interesting, but not captured what makes them such a powerhouse live. Hoping the record showcases their talents a bit more.

    Seeing them tomorrow in London and then an instore gig at Rough Trade next week. Definitely try to catch them before they do larger venues.
     
  11. crozcat

    crozcat Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sweden
    I saw them playing here in Gothenburg about ten days ago. Never heard of them before, no expectations at all.
    They were really good I think, sort of rock/kraut/punk with interesting arrangements and lots of energy! :righton:
    First album is released this Friday:
    black midi Announce New Album Schlagenheim | Pitchfork
     
  12. dartira

    dartira rise and shine like a far out superstar

    I like it. It's very 1980. Very Pere Ubu/Talking Heads (well, duh)
    Interesting lyrics too.
     
  13. the jesus abyss

    the jesus abyss Forum Resident

    Location:
    england
    To answer the topic question - I'd be surprised if they become a huge sensation. Their sound is too varied to really capture a huge mainstream audience. Though I can see them becoming critical darlings, the type of band who potentially make music that people could still be talking about in high regard in 20 years time. Too early to tell now, but damn, catch them live if you get a chance.
     
    bzfgt and DJ LX like this.
  14. Vern

    Vern Forum Resident

    Location:
    London
    The record is out and I've listened to it about 6 or so times. Really like it and for me it's a top 3 album of the year so far. Will definitely pick up a copy of the record soon!
     
    Frances the Mute and Dave513 like this.
  15. Interpolantics

    Interpolantics Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ireland
    Is the album not on Spotify?
     
  16. the jesus abyss

    the jesus abyss Forum Resident

    Location:
    england
    After telling everybody how wonderful they are live I went and jinxed it. Saw them in the week at Earth & they were incredibly disappointing. The sound wasn't great, though too often it felt like they were noodling aimlessly. When I saw them before they'd build things until they reached fever point, this gig just feel off. My friend who's seen them a ton of times also thought they were under-par.

    Still the record is outstanding, I'll be seeing them a couple more times in the next week so hopefully that was just a one-off.
     
    CaptainFeedback1 likes this.
  17. Wombat Reynolds

    Wombat Reynolds Jimmy Page stole all my best riffs.

    Location:
    Atlanta, GA, USA
    interesting.

    sort of like king crimson recording to a cut and paste pro tools grid.

    I mean, a bit of both going on.

    I dig it, further listening required, thank you for posting it
     
    dartira and DJ LX like this.
  18. Pastafarian

    Pastafarian Forum Resident

    Well I hope not, what is this, Geek Rock.
     
    pantofis likes this.
  19. Liam Brown

    Liam Brown Forum Resident

    i liked that a lot.
     
  20. notesofachord

    notesofachord Riding down the river in an old canoe

    Location:
    Mojave Desert
    The same thing was said by a certain Mr. Nick Styx Fan Johnson when he first heard the Talking Heads In 1977.
     
    aina, Guy Smiley, bzfgt and 1 other person like this.
  21. Pastafarian

    Pastafarian Forum Resident

    First time I heard Love Goes ..... in 77, I was blown away, loved Byrne's geek but that was the lyrics.

    This sounds like they've decided to calculate Rock on a computer, just not my thing perhaps because I'm 42 years older.
     
  22. Dave513

    Dave513 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Albuquerque, NM
    Learned about black midi from an article in The Guardian on Saturday morning, and promptly listened to the record four times over the course of the day. It's the freshest thing I've heard in a long time. It's not often you can legitimately reference Fugazi, Talking Heads, PiL, Bad Brains, Captain Beefheart, and Can when describing a band. I dig it.
     
    DrZhivago likes this.
  23. Gaslight

    Gaslight ⎧⚍⎫⚑

    Location:
    Northeast USA
    It's taking me some time to digest that new album.

    Which is s good thing. Enjoying it so far.
     
    mark winstanley likes this.
  24. Synthfreek

    Synthfreek I’m a ray of sunshine & bastion of positivity

    Do you know what the phrase "black midi" means in relation to producing music?

     
    Tim S, paulisdead, ARK and 5 others like this.
  25. drad dog

    drad dog A Listener

    Location:
    USA
    That is very repetitive for the next big thing. It's like one boring change and some math thrown in.
     
    Looking For Today and drobo like this.

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