After a decade of compilations by the likes of Groove Armada, Belle & Sebastian, Cinematic Orchestra, Air and Arctic Monkeys, the latest band to showcase their own mix compilation is Texas based Midlake...

Late Night Tales is a mix compilation by Texas based band Midlake. This is one of a series of similar themed collection by various bands the record label has released over the years.

If you're a fan of Midlake then you'll truly appreciate the chance to hear some of their favourite tracks, as well as listen to their acoustic version of Black Sabbath's 'Am I Going in Insane'.

The whole thing is rounded off with the very overrated Will Self reading The Happy Detective Part. 4. All I can say is thank goodness I missed parts 1-3.

The biggest problem I had with this release was the insistence of the record company to treat reviewers with a total lack of respect. Once again we are treated as potential thieves and pirates as every ten minutes a robotic voice insists on interrupting the music to announce: "You are listening to Late Night Tales: Midlake" which is very off putting.

With a running time of just over 1 hour, 11 mins these 19 tracks are great value for money.

7

Nick Smithson