Cory Graves
This Week, Midlake Came Back Strong.
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.
There's been plenty of talk this week about that track that The Dividends co-authored on the new Eminem album, which Billboard is forecasting will sell 700,000 copies by the week's end. But there was, perhaps, a bigger North Texas-tied release this week. Well, maybe.
After three years of work — not to mention a lineup change that saw the band lose its lead singer — Midlake's fourth studio album has been met with its share of national praise. Look around and you'll find that more than a fair share of critics have already deemed Antiphon the band's best album yet. And, in the coming weeks, the band will only garner more attention by opening for Pearl Jam at the American Airlines Center and embarking on a national tour with Sarah Jaffe, who coincidentally makes up one-half of The Dividends.
Speaking of Sarah Jaffe: A pair of Dallas Observer Music Awards (Best Solo Act, Best Vocalist) helped the singer earn her spot on this week's list. Same goes for the bulk of the artists on this week's Buzz Rankings, really; most every artist appearing here either won an award or performed at this week's awards-tied showcases.
One person who didn't perform in those showcases, however, was AV the Great, who was busy nearly singlehandedly making Rock Lottery 12 his bitch. In a night full of awesome from beginning to end, AV's dominating and unforgettable set was enough to secure the emcee his highest-ever finish in the Rankings. And while The Polyphonic Spree didn't perform at those showcases either — they were busy throwing their first ever Halloween Hootenanny at they Lakewood Theater — they did perform at the awards ceremony itself. So, too, did list-makers The Cannabinoids and Somebody's Darling.
Elsewhere, Fort Worth's Green River Ordinance are playing a much-hyped show at Billy Bob's, Track Meet released a new must-grab comp, and the Old 97's got some love from Rolling Stone.
(Also receiving votes this week: Reverend Horton Heat, Vulgar Fashion, Selena Gomez, Calhoun, Venetian Sailors, We'rewolves, The Outfit, TX, Fox & The Bird, Quaker City Night Hawks, Pentatonix, War Party, The O's, Brutal Juice, Madison King, Booty Fade, Seryn, Home by Hovercraft, Pinkish Black, The Silver Saint, Dustin Cavazos, Power Trip, Toadies, Ronnie Fauss, Bethan, The Phuss, Nervous Curtains, The Roomsounds.)
