The music media has loudly and deservedly trumpeted the incredible accomplishments of The Shins and The New Pornographers in sustaining impressive streaks of quality across consecutive albums (the first three for The Shins and the first five for the Pornographers). Perhaps less noticed among their similarly toned Indie Rock peer group, Midlake put together an equally brilliant string of releases (a trio of excellent EPs, their wonderful 2004 debut full-length Bamnan and Silvercork and their astonishing 2006 sophomore album, The Trials of Van Occupanther) before unleashing this year’s The Courage of Others, a solid candidate for “album of the year” honors.
The Denton, Tex., quintet formed just over a decade ago as a group of University of North Texas Jazz students with Indie Rock inclinations. After a couple of lineup changes, Midlake home-recorded their 2004 debut album, which displayed influences like Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips and made a fan out of actor Jason Lee, who directed the music video for “Balloon Maker” and who continues to beat the drum for his new favorite band.
They play the Southgate House at 9 p.m. Sunday. Get show details and Sound Advice here.
