The Knew has always fared better live than in the studio, and that’s still true on “Pulpería,” the Denver act’s third disc. Lead track “United” and the equally punchy “Just Enough” show songwriting growth, and the guitars on the dirty-minded “Gretna” are worthy of wall-of-sound heathens Dead Meadow. But as rich and melodic as it is, the loose playing doesn’t do the songs as much justice as the band’s raucous concerts. Catch the Knew Saturday at the Bluebird Theater, with the Photo Atlas, Common Anomaly and Jonny Woodrose & the Broken Hearted Woodpeckers. $10.
Midlake was widely praised for its 2006 album “The Trials of Van Occupanther,” but the band has toned down its Fleetwood Mac worship in favor of a more downcast, elegiac sound on new disc “The Courage of Others,” which draws as much from ’70s soft rock as it does Radiohead. It’s not exactly the British folk revivalism the band promised us, but these Denton, Texas, lads craft the sort of slow-burn tunes that don’t need to overtly reference specific musical eras. Thursday at the Bluebird with Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. $16-$18.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
