By: Sam Houghton
Rating: 6/11

It’s not that they’re bad - they’re actually alright - it’s just that Middle Distance Runner is Vespa music. The freeway opens up, the wind’s blowing in the face and your girl’s wrapped around you, and you’re zooming along America’s majestic landscape: all on your daisy covered, putt-putting Vespa. Forget booming, progesterone vibrating Hogs.

Middle Distance Runner is tight, for sure, put together like a well-equipped group, definitely fun, but where they lack is what separates artists from the others. Perhaps “daises” is too strong of an adjective, but Middle Distance Runner is too conventional for real rock and roll. They’re more like Smash Mouth than Nirvana, more Jack Johnson than Peter Tosh, and for that, they are more giddy disciples than artists.

That being said, Runner has made a large splash in their DC area, praised by much of the local press, and also some regional, more prestigious media specialists like SPIN and FILTER Magazine. They headline at places like IOTA Club & Café and the Black Cat. They are hailed as being a fun and catchy band, which they certainly are.  But as a little advocate in the large music world, I want to see struggle in my art; some real life shit transcending through the music.

The beginning of “The Sun and Earth” is Middle Distance Runner’s attempt to right this wrong, which says they have passion. It’s a heavy, psychedelic intro to their new album, boasting a dangerous feel with some real grit and power. The deep, rattling drums and the eerie keyboards provoke a wild mood beyond what the band has done before.  Yet, as the song transitions into the vocals, we are serenaded with that puppy-dog crooning stuff that adds bills to fat corporations’ wallets, but does little to stimulate the inner cavities of the body. It turns it all into cheap tricks.

But, I gave them a six, not a three or a four, or zero, because a good portion of their songs has some movement and boogey. “Unbeliever” and “Brother John” are both great driving tunes, with fast, steady bass grooves. “Momma” is a happy track that will get people dancing and features a booming trumpet chorus and a cool rap in there at the end. Where credit is due, even though I have not seen them, I get the feeling they would be excellent live – a real boost of adrenaline and happy times. And I will say that they aren’t as bad as Smash Mouth; they certainly have more soul and integrity than those clowns.

Basically, the press they receive is right: Middle Distance Runner is catchy as hell. But as a qualified music nazi, I like songs that transcend catchy as hell and add a little somethin’, somethin’ to the mix. Catchy is fine: “Brown Sugar,” one of the greatest rock songs of all time. It’s catchy, but there’s also a little somethin,’ somethin’ in it that creates a certain, weird, but amazing and empowering and salivating effect. Perhaps I’m just another lost drama queen with my heart stuck in the remains of Kurt Cobain’s vision.