It's no joke that Denton's Midlake's something of a big deal beyond the limits of North Texas. It's also no joke that the band's sound is heavily influenced by '70s soft rock of Fleetwood Mac, America and Bread--which is OK, well, because, on its 2006 breakout album The Trials of Van Occupanther, the band did those influences fine justice.

So it should come as no surprise then that Midlake's next record, The Courage of Others, is a hotly anticipated commodity; in the current issue of Under The Radar, the album is named as one of the magazine's most anticipated albums of 2009. It's right up there for us in DC9 HQ, too, alongside upcoming releases from fellow locals The Paper Chase and Damaged Good$. But, anyway, I digress.

As Midlake's members told Stereogum in November, things ain't moving too quickly in its Denton studio. But, still, they are moving. Last we heard, the band was about four songs deep into the record's completion. And then a friend of DC9 passed along this track...

[Editor's Note: Before we get started this week, an apology: I've been really bad about remembering to do this lately, and I know there are a bunch of readers who get a kick out of it, so... my bad. Won't happen again. Until, y'know, it does.]

If you don't recognize the name Metro Station (pictured above), that's fine. No one's gonna come after you with torches or anything. Well, no one except for delusional Miley Cyrus fans, as, yep, Metro Station just happens fronted by the tween superstar's older broseph, Trace.

But there's more to Metro Station than just that, actually; the band scored a big-time Top 40 radio hit with the admittedly kinda-catchy tune "Shake It" in 2008--even before most people made the Cyrus last name connection. And chances are you've likely heard the song before--if not on the radio, in dance clubs or in the gym or at the mall or...well, wherever, really. Point is, it's been all over. And the band's follow-up single, "Seventeen Forever" has even had some moderate success, too.

So, the question this week, dear Guessers: Is this week's track a deep cut from the band's self-titled debut release, and maybe a potential candidate for a future radio single down the line? Or is this just the work of any number of local band's striving for the same sound?

You be the judge...


As always, post your best guesses in the comments section, and we'll review the answer next week (promise!). Meanwhile for those of you still pondering the answer to the last This or That game, well, you'll just have to jump for the Big Reveal...