Music According to Benedict – “Grew Up at Midnight” by the Maccabees

“A current album I’m giving a lot of play is The Maccabees Given to the Wild. It’s hard to pick one but listening to “We (sic) Grew Up At Midnight” while typing and feeling pretty uplifted. And that’s what great music does beyond all other art forms, isn’t it?”

I’ll admit right now that I’m listening to the album as I type this post – and it’s been pretty effective as a mood lifter. There are some moments that soar, while others flit and flutter across my mind. The orchestration, arrangement and tempo arrest my attention unexpectedly, but that’s part of why it works (most of the time). Given to the Wild keeps my interest. Released in 2012, it’s the third album by the 5-member indie rock band from South London. Interestingly enough, the band named David Bowie & Stone Roses as influences on this album – both of which were ALSO on Ben’s Top Tunes list. Oh, and the record company who signed The Maccabees? Fiction Records – also home to Elbow (another group in the Cumberbatch collection). It’s at this point I begin to wonder if Ben hears a song or an artist, looks it up – and then follows a path like a musical map. He’s known to research his roles. Why not his music? (Has anyone asked him if he likes Kaiser Chiefs? Just curious.) It’s fair to say The Maccabees aren’t as well known in America, but the 2012 album was received quite favorably in the UK. Simon Harper, writing for Clash Music, praised the album and said this of “Grew Up at Midnight”:

“…like a lingering kiss, starts slow and soft, builds into a passionate embrace, then pulls away suddenly yet sweetly, leaving you begging for more as the album fades away.”

Lead vocalist Orlando Weeks’ voice has an ethereal quality, and the sound and feel of this particular album beckon you to be transported somehow, into a world where you can be wistful, wandering – and wanting. Indie rock bands may not be everyone’s ear candy, but this music has its place for (I think) almost everyone. You’re at a moment in time when “everything” feels like it’s about to change, or has changed – forever. You don’t quite belong to anyone – not like you did as a child, and not like you will as a partner or parent. Maybe you just ended a relationship – or you’re hoping to find someone as soon as you get your shit together. But, for now, your thoughts tumble together. What music helps express those thoughts, feelings, and how you see yourself? Indie music. College radio. Planned experimentation with all the elements involved in making music. We need that. If we can’t release that voice or create that soundtrack ourselves, we seek it out: a voice that echoes our experiences and mirrors the murkiness in our minds. When you find the music that speaks for you, you can’t help but feel uplifted. You connect with a song, an artist – meaning you connected with others who love it just as much as you do. How can you not feel better?

Ben observed that it was hard to pick a favorite from the album, but I think his choice works. “Grew Up at Midnight” paints a picture that makes me want to linger just a bit more: