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Middle Distance Runner

The Sun & Earth

(Engine Room; US: 20 Oct 2009)

It’s a damn shame so many unique acts get overlooked simply because the market is flooded with bands who simply caught a break. What’s worse is when the latter aren’t terrible bands, (so you can’t loathe them with a passion) but when they’re simply okay. Middle Distance Runner is one of those bands. There’s absolutely nothing offensive about the band’s sophomore LP, The Sun & Earth, but there isn’t really much that sticks out either. Full of hooks that are way too obvious yet catchy nonetheless, The Sun & the Earth is a bland mix of made-for-TV glam-rock fusion. Sure, bands like Middle Distance Runner are great to hear in the background once awhile, but the generic bounce that keeps this record afloat will run out of air soon enough.

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