SLCene Suggests: Midlake at The Urban Lounge

MIDLAKE, THE URBAN LOUNGE, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 9 p.m., $15

It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since Texas crew Midlake released The Trials of Van Occupanther, an expansive set of lush folk-rock than earned them a lot of national attention. It was certainly the first I had heard of them, and the buzz drew me to a Salt Lake City tour stop from the band. From what I can recall, they sounded fine, but were a rather staid group on stage. 2010 album The Courage of Others was as appealing as its predecessor, but the band’s new release, Antiphon, might take long-time fans of the band a little getting used to. Gone from the band since their last release is singer and primary songwriter Tim Smith, who quit about a year ago as the band worked on its fourth album. Guitarist and former backup vocalist Eric Pulido is now front and center, and Midlake added a couple of guys from their expanded touring lineup for Antiphon, and the resulting songs will still ring familiar for fans of the older albums, but there’s no denying the change in vocalists is a big one to get used to. Fellow Texan Sarah Jaffe opens the show, and is well worth your getting there in time for her set.