Sunday, February 4th, 2007
CONTEST – Midlake @ Lee's Palace, February 12, 2007
Denton, Texas’ Midlake has had a hell of a time trying to come to Toronto – they were originally scheduled to open for The Hold Steady in July of last year, but begged off that gig for whatever reason but arranged a make-up date opening for The French Kicks in September. But they then bailed from THAT date in favour of an engagement as the opener for Keane on a ritzy theatre tour. Can’t fault them for that, except it didn’t really work out – Keane singer Tom Chaplin turned out to be more the rock’n’roller than anyone might have suspected and canceled the tour in order to check into rehab for drug and alcohol abuse.
The net outcome of this being, simply, the fact that Midlake still hasn’t made it to Toronto (I think) to perform selections from last year’s highly regarded, soft-rocking opus The Trials Of Van Occupanther. Until now. They’ve got a date scheduled at Lee’s Palace for Monday, February 12 and assuming they don’t get an offer to support Van Halen’s reunion tour, I’m expecting they’ll be there. And courtesy of Against The Grain, you can be there too – I’ve got three pairs of passes for the show to give away.
To enter, leave a comment with what generally-disdained 1970s act is deserving of a critical re-evaluation (or at least an effort to make indie-hip, a la America). Be sincere or ironic, I care not. Be sure to use your correct email address so I can contact the winners and mock those who nominate Foghat. And if you don’t live in Toronto but still want to chime in, please do so – just make a note in your post that you’re not entering or eligible for the giveaway. The contest closes at midnight, February 8.
MP3: Midlake – “Roscoe”
Video: Midlake – “Roscoe” (YouTube)
Video: Midlake – “Young Bride” (MOV)
MySpace: Midlake
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2/4/07 11:06 am
Are Creedence Clearwater Revival disdained? Don’t know. But I like them. All right, feel free to mock!
2/4/07 11:14 am
Electric Light Orchestra
2/4/07 12:06 pm
Wishbone Ash.
(not eligible for contest)
2/4/07 12:12 pm
How about Seals & Croft? Sufjan to produce.
2/4/07 12:36 pm
It’s gotta be Donna Summer.
2/4/07 5:30 pm
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Why? Because they were pure southern rock that showed a different side of the south to what was generally assumed by the rest of the country.
DBT’s Southern Rock Opera gave me a whole new appreciation for Skynyrd.
2/4/07 10:37 pm
He overlaps the 1960s and the 1970s, but I say that Glen Campbell’s hosting of a variety show should not detract from the fantastic music he released between 1965 and 1977. Some other picks: Poco (their early stuff includes some great pioneering country-rock that falls neatly between the Burritos and the Eagles), Linda Ronstadt (everything up to 1974 is really excellent country-folk), Jackson Browne (he may seem bland and stuck in the past nowadays, but his first 3-4 records include some unbelievable – and unbelievably dour and pessimistic – songs) and James Taylor (the first three albums are classic – I’ll admit that I don’t have a whole lot of use for anything after is kinda useless).
2/5/07 3:41 pm
I must agree with Paul. The Electric Light Orchestra are desperately in need of a reassessment, if only for Telephone Line, Sweet talking Womana and Livin’ Thing which are classics. I recently saw Midlake in London and ELO featured in the post-gig mix.
(not eligible for competition)
2/5/07 8:40 pm
Henry Cow
2/6/07 9:17 pm
I’m pretty sure Blondie could quite easily make a comeback… those songs still seem up to date…
2/8/07 12:59 pm
I nominate Boston
Great melodies, crunchy guitar and some pretty sweet vocal harmonizing. They also had a pretty decent singer in Brad Delp, while drummer Sib Hashian had the best ‘fro in rock.
Their debut record sold something like 17 million, and three tunes – "More Than a Feeling" "Peace of Mind" and "Foreplay/Long Time" – are pretty much synonymous with 70s arena rock.
Nothing can redeem their 80s stuff however. "Cool the Engines" "Amanda"…dreadful stuff.
2/8/07 2:01 pm
Hall & Oates dude, Hall & Oates.
Like other yacht rockers from that era, they are dissed just for being smooth & successful, but, Like America, and Steely Dan.
They are passionate, and talented.
Listen to "Sara Smile" or "Rich Girl’ and TRY to tell me I’m wrong.
2/8/07 5:15 pm
The Eagles!!! …Don Henley thought he was earning cred when he let the Ataris cover ‘Boys of Summer’ (whoops). these hombres are totally in need of an indie makeover! imagine Broken Social Scene covering ‘Hotel California’ with like 6 guitars!!! or maybe they could record a new 7inch single of Take It Easy in Williamsburg- produced by some of the TVOTR dudes… perhaps?
2/8/07 10:25 pm
I was going to say ELO, but it looks like I was beat to the punch. Consequently, I’ll have to go with the UK’s Curved Air.
Cheers.
2/8/07 11:44 pm
I recollect going through a Thin Lizzy phase, but I think they probably deserve any disdain they’ve gotten.
I credit my early infatuation with Karla Bonhoff for my buying way too many female vocal albums over the years. But she’s not really a group.
So, I’ll nominate Poco. Where would alt-country be without them? Or at least the Jayhawks or Oakley Hall. I dusted off "Poco" from 1970, and it stands up incredibly well. Sweet organ backup, soulful vocals and weepy guitars. And, according to Wikipedia, they’re still a band. So love can still be shown. Let’s get them to play the Horseshoe.
2/9/07 2:49 pm
odd Fact: Phil Hartman (yes, that Phil Hartmant R.I.P.)did the artwork for Poco