reax music magazine :: music + culture » Reviews » Middle Distance Runner - Middle Distance Runner EP

Washington, D.C. has given birth to more than a handful of groundbreaking musical outfits over the years, and Middle Distance Runner does a scene proud with its refreshingly melodic, gently fuzzed out, and dreamy, almost psychedelic tunes. Hot on the heels of the 2007 full-length, Plane in Flames, MDR is back with a self-titled EP that, albeit somewhat of a tease, pumps out six stellar tracks comprised of effortlessly catchy choruses and an immensely developed and at times unclassifiable sound. "With Swords" is by far the best track, with its good-natured, sassy chorus of, "Why'd you cut your hair?/Don't get me wrong/It's cute" and hand-clapping, '70s FM radio parallels. Sure to be a big hit with the college set and beyond, Middle Distance Runner is a brilliant collection of noise. - Aubrey Bramble