Midlake @ GAMH 10/27/07

[El Dingo]

Midlake at Amazon.

I love the GAMH. I worked there for a year when I first moved to S.F. I didn't have a bed yet so they gave me an old couch from the basement. Apparently everyone from Billy Joel to Buddy Rich had slept on it.

After a surprisingly enjoyable set by opener Maria Taylor we sat back in our balcony seats and waited for Midlake to take the stage.

Midlake is part of the new breed of electric folk-rock. Like Grandaddy and The Decemberists they mix acoustic guitars and warbling synths to tell tales of loneliness and resignation. Singer Tim Smith draws out each syllable in a voice that perfectly reflects the music's sad-but-sweet lyrics.

They saved my favorite track 'Kingfish Pies' for the encore. It tells the story of a man that works in a 'Particle seperation room' with no windows, tables or chairs. Just large machinery that spins so fast it cuts off one of his hands. Wonderful stuff.

The chandeliers may be gone, but the magic is still there.

Viva le GAMH!

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

GAMH? No Comprende. I live in Hell-A don't you know.

[Drunk Monk]

Not as gorgeous as the Paramount, mind you, but a fine venue. I haven't been in there in years - probably not since Ed worked there. It's not on the RM circuit and I seldom buy tickets anymore.