After toiling away in relative obscurity for a few years Denton, Texas' Midlake are finally getting their due. Playing to a sold-out in advance Troubadour the 5-piece delivered an engaging set, mostly comprised of songs from their new (2nd) album, The Trials Of Van Occupanther. The audience was incredibly attentive and appreciative for a Saturday night show, and yes, Jason Lee was there.
Backed by a smoke machine and visuals that alternated from old-time movie footage to the band's own silent films, at one point singer Tim Smith said 'screw the glitch-y video, you're here to see us.' The band kicked things off with "We Gathered In Spring" and churned through a set that saw band members trade-off instruments multiple times. With four keyboard setups at their disposal and nearly everyone contributing backing vocals on one song or another it truly felt like a communal affair.
The biggest cheer of the night came for album opener "Roscoe" while other notable songs aired included "Young Bride" (with pre-recorded strings), "Van Occupanther" and an epic take on "In This Camp." There was also a not-yet-released song which had two band members playing a single keyboard at the same time. Singer Tim Smith sat down at the keys for "Balloon Maker" and "Some Of Them Are Superstitious" from the band's decidedly more quirky, but also absurdly titled debut album Bamnan and Slivercork. The set ended with a triumphant take on "Head Home" which saw the guitarist working some 1970's riff-age worthy of a My Morning Jacket song.
There are only a few shows left on their tour before they hit SXSW, get your tix before they sell-out.
wouldn't it be more appropriate to compare "some 1970's riff" to a band that is actually from the 1970's? sad... music is now being reviewed by those not actually familiar with it.
Posted by: mike | Monday, March 05, 2007 at 12:58 PM