Cory Graves
This Week, Midlake Is Kicking Out The Jams.
Each week, we take a survey of the local music scene and try to determine which acts in town are really putting in work and seeing it pay off. Which bands have the most intriguing shows coming up? Which bands are getting the most press around town? Which bands have accomplished the most notable feats of late? Based off these criteria, our music writers submit a list to be weighted and compiled into a master list revealed each week in this here space. We like to think it's fairly revealing. Check out our previous Buzz Rankings here.
For the third time since September — and the sixth time since we started this — Denton's Midlake finds itself atop our local music Buzz Rankings this week.
Quite deservedly so, too: A week after releasing its latest full-length — to rave reviews, we might add — the band is currently gearing up to open for Pearl Jam at American Airlines Center on Friday night. And that's just the start, really. News came out this week too that some of Midlake's members are featured on the new album from Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde, which also includes cameos from members of Radiohead. Then there's the fact that the band is at the center of a new, 30-minute, Denton-centric documentary that made its debut this morning on Rolling Stone.
You might say that Midlake is on something of a roll at the moment. All signs would point that direction, anyway. But they were far from the only act in town that garnered national press this week.
For instance, like Midlake, Dallas' Crushed Stars was featured in Rolling Stone this week, where the magazine debuted a new tune from the band's forthcoming January release. Also like Midlake, Dallas' Dark Rooms was the subject of a mini-documentary this week — that one coming from Myspace.
Also? There was Fox & The Bird, which debuted a new single from its upcoming full-length via USA Today's Pop Candy blog. Reverend Horton Heat and his band, meanwhile, debuted a new single and music video from its first new record in four years via Vice's Noisey blog. And Kelly Clarkson appeared on The Tonight Show because that's just what she does these days.
Elsewhere: Wanz Dover got ready to unveil his massive 15 Guitar Army this Saturday at Double Wide; Pleasant Grove announced its reunification, along with plans for upcoming shows and a new album; New Fumes and Zhora will perform at Saturday's ninth annual Art Conspiracy event; and Astronautalis will co-headline this weekend's inaugural Oaktopia festival in Denton.
(Also receiving votes this week: Perma, Deanna Valone, AV The Great, Hex Cult, George Quartz, Larry g(EE), Ray Wylie Hubbard, Goodnight Ned, Brain Gang, Ishi, Ice Eater, Tiger Darrow, Diamond Age, Danny Rush and the Designated Drivers, Blackstone Rangers, Vulgar Fashion, Jenny Robinson, Dim Locator, Chambers, Catamaran, Pinkish Black, Dim Locator, Noah Jackson, Droidekka.)
