FAINT WAVES

We’ve got a modern tune this week for song of the week, from this year in fact, and it’s Country! Who would’ve thought. Coincidentally too, like last weeks artist (ZZ Top), these fellas are from Texas. This is song of the week: “Marlboro Man” by Midland, from what I hope to be an upcoming album that has yet to be announced.

Let me begin by saying that I’ve always had a contentious relationship with Country music. When I was younger, I would’ve questioned the value of any of it; the folly of a young, ignorant, narrow mind. There were always exceptions to the rule though: Glen Campbell, The Highwaymen, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, even Shania Twain. When you love music as much as I do, there is simply no dismissing an entire genre (for the most part). Today, I’m more open-minded than I used to be and I’m a lot more familiar with Country music than I used to be too. I tend to sit in a space where I appreciate the late 60’s through the early 90’s when it comes to Country music. I still dislike a lot of the modern, Trap and R&B influenced “Country” that permeates the radio today. What I don’t dislike, is the neo-traditional dreamy stuff, produced by the likes of Midland and Ella Langley.

Midland is a band I got into on a whim back in 2019. Which feels like yesterday but was a whopping seven years ago. They were hot on the heels of their sophomore record and had a song called “Lost In The Night”, I stumbled on to it by accident on iTunes. It was a dreamy, 80’s-tinged country ballad that sported a saxophone, which was something of an anomaly in the musical landscape at the time; whether I knew it or not, I was smitten with these Texas boys. I’d go on to check out the record and sure enough, enjoyed just about every song. So I worked my way backward, picked up their debut, and it was even better in some respects. Slide guitars, finger-style plucking, three-part vocal harmonies, no fear of the occasional horn or synthesizer. These guys were after my own heart. They were doing Country music how I thought it ought to be done and they sounded damn good doing it. Here we are all these years later and I’ve done everything but see the band live (I’m sincerely trying, please come closer to Missouri boys). I’ve enjoyed every studio album, every cover (they’ve got great taste in covers: Bruce Springsteen, Chris Isaak, Glen Campbell, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, etc.), and they’ve been one of my most listened-to bands for the last five years.

Just back in January, Midland released “Marlboro Man”. Immediately, it’s a classic in their catalogue, that’s how I felt the first time I heard it. It’s their trademark sound, buoyed by forlorn lyrics, lush imagery, pedal steel and a subtle string section. It’s short and sweet but makes the most of its runtime. Arguably, I think the tune has the potential to go down as a classic in the annals of Country music, too. How a Country tune hadn’t incorporated Marlboro’s classic mascot as a metaphor (a simile in this case) already is beyond me. On a personal note, I connect a lot with the lyrics too; I think a lot of people can relate to running away, drifting, going it alone, moving any direction but the one you know you should go. George Jones himself said this: “All my life it seems like I’ve been running from something. If I knew what it was, maybe I could run in the right direction. But I always seem to end up going the other way.”, that about sums it up I think. With a music video filled with horses, motorcycles, and sunsets, the tune pretty well captures an aesthetic and mood that I’ve been residing in for a while as well. I’ve been threatening to make a Country/Country-inspired record for the last 5+ years and I’ve made some headway on one, on and off. If it does come out, Midland will be chief among the influences of its sound. While successful, Midland hasn’t gotten their roses like I feel they should. Beyond Country, I think they’re one of the best acts out there today, they’re remarkably consistent and terrific at what they do. Give them a listen.

Thanks for reading.

~ FW.