CNN.com Interview
“meticulous, smart pop within a hook-laden rock song”
“the band refuses to go with current trends, even if it doesn’t mind switching up on styles”
SPIN Magazine – The SPIN 101 Best Nights Out This Month (p.95)
“These insanely catchy rockers (think the Strokes) are the city’s pick-to-click for mainstream success.”
Paste Magazine – Band of the Week: Middle Distance Runner
“With a growing regional fan-base and a name that’s beginning to be heard across the country, Middle Distance Runner could be on the verge of something big.”
FILTER Magazine
“…listen, as both Middle Distance Runner and the inevitable seasons, start to change.”
NME
“This is an HBO commercial featuring the song ‘The Sun and Earth’ by Middle Distance Runner off of their EP.”
Brightest Young Things
“Middle Distance Runner brought a sound straight from the Mississippi delta: Southern fried rock arrangements and a boisterous lead vocalist that infused verses with blues and funk over the top his rollicking piano lines (like Mose Allison in the flush of his youth).”
Huffington Post
”...once you hear Middle Distance Runner, you are going to bemoan all the hours you lost listening to the Killers”
Washington Post Express
(Scans)
Cover
Cover 2!!!
Baltimore Sun
“Singer Stephen Kilroy's voice sounds a lot like Arcade Fire's Win Butler, which is a good thing, as there are worse frontmen to be compared to. The D.C. band works loud-to-soft dynamics with powerful results, and its intensity has been a calling card of its live shows.”
QRO Magazine (8.0 REVIEW of The Sun & Earth)
“a brilliant collection of shiny, compact jewels”
“If you don’t like pop, Middle Distance Runner might just change your mind.”
“full of elastic creativity that plays off accepted idioms with an ease and fluency that most bands would kill for”
The Daily Chorus
“Check out Washington D.C. act Middle Distance Runner. The band’s song, “Brother John” was recently featured in a Harley Davidson ad running on major cable networks.”
PopMatters.com – Short Takes
“Middle Distance Runner goes out of its way to flex its muscles and display some diversity, with “Man of the People” tossing in some Hives-like garage rock, “Shoot the Shit” cribs a little Soundtrack of Our Lives, “Hooks” comes over as a blippy-to-anthemic Postal Service nod, while “That’s a Lie” ends things on a Jesus and Mary Chain wall of guitars. But one of the most impressive aspects of this disc is that it’s a self-produced affair. Erik Dean does a surprisingly good job of mixing this disc to highlight the songs’ various strengths, and the whole affair is surprisingly confident and well-structured for a personally realized project. Ultimately, Plane in Flames is a strong debut from “a band that proves it has the chops, if not quite yet the distinctive identity, to be a great indie rock band.”
On Tap Magazine – Four Play
“What is so remarkable about Middle Distance Runner is the maturity that their songs possess, especially given the fact that the majority of them are younger than 24. In putting together their first proper record, this DC based band invokes the best of Radiohead, U2, Doves and others, but remains a unique voice unto itself. Vocally, Stephen Kilroy is dead on, commanding a soaring tenor armed with sophisticated, thoughtful lyrics. But he is carried by the band’s masterful arrangements; MDR’s best characteristic is their ability to write in the best interest of the song, resulting in tunes that are dynamic and confident. MDR is a band making some seriously powerful music–it will be amazing to see what they do as they continue to grow as musicians and people.” -Chris Connelly
On Tap Magazine – On Disc
“As I listen to Middle Distance Runner’s “Plane in Flames” searching for the usual comparisons that reviewers like to make, I’m coming up empty. And that is what makes Middle Distance Runner one of D.C.’s most exciting bands. Though not openly derivative of any one band or style, “Plane in Flames” is simultaneously familiar and provocative. It is extremely difficult to write succinct and interesting pop songs, but MDR accomplishes it with flying colors on “Man of the People” and “Shoot the Shit,” both of which clock in under the three-minute mark. But the best songs here are the most innovative–the blip synth opening of “Hooks” is deceptive of its crushingly beautiful second half, making it the album’s stand out track. This is undoubtedly one of the best records I have heard this year, local or otherwise.” -Chris Connelly
Washington Post – Nightlife Agenda
“Bands hoping to make a name for themselves could look to local quintet Middle Distance Runner for some tips. The group has made its music readily available — leaving free CDs at Iota, handing them out after shows at the 9:30 club — and it seems to be paying off. The group has packed them in at recent gigs and another sellout tonight at Iota wouldn’t be much of a surprise. MDR’s sound clearly draws on mid-’90s British rock — think pre-OK Computer Radiohead, Blur, Oasis — and exudes a confidence and professionalism that many young bands lack. Maybe that’s why they are so eager to get their music into people’s hands.” -David Malitz
Washington City Paper – Pop Quiz
“Forget those Olympic athletes showboating in the mountains. We’re awarding a Gold Medal to the inspiring rockletes of MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER. Stephen Kilroy (vocals/guitar/keys), Erik Dean (drums), Allan Chappelear (guitar/keys), Jay Smith (guitar), and Ian Glinka (bass) have created the new now sound. Songs such as “Man of the People,” “Up in a Tree,” and “Shoot the Shit” bring honor and glory to our nation.” -Dave Nuttycombe
Washington Post Express
“Middle Distance Runner singer Stephen Kilroy, who lists ‘The Sun and Earth’ and ‘Switch it Up’ as his band’s top-notch tearjerker songs, prefers to tourist-watch: ‘I just pick a bench on the National Mall and stare at fanny packs until I’m good and depressed.’”
The Cheap Pop
“Their first single off “The Sun and Earth” is currently playing with the trailer of Disney’s Morning Light. Since it’s so good, we’re giving you the song for free.”
RCRD LBL
“Wedding the pneumatic rock of the Strokes to the panoramic pop of Blur and the Killers, they don’t actually reside anywhere near the middle. They sorta blow it up instead.”
Indiependent Music
Delusions of Adequacy – Plane in Flames album review
“The five-piece has put together 10 tracks that sound like a band in command of its sound rather than the other way around. MDR mixes influences – some subtle, some not so subtle – in ways that sound familiar and novel at the same time.”
DCist – Middle Distance Runner Make Strides with New Album
“”MDR has succeeded in developing a uniquely diverse collection of songs, which rather than classify them as amateurish and unfocused, exhibit a local talent that has emerged from the rest of the pack.”
popdrivel.blogspot.com – Distance Running for Music Lovers
“Middle Distance Runner’s debut album, Plane in Flames, opens with a smile. Naturally begins as all breezy melody and beat, catchy as hell, but just when it draws the ear into its lite comforts like any other standard indie pop clap-along record, MDR drops this lyric: “I/I hope she’s got a husband/I hope that he is coming/to find me out and tear out both/my eyes.” And that’s when you really start to listen, and it will hold you enthralled until the very last note.”
DCist – Weekly Music Agenda
“We like Middle Distance Runner…”
CrazyTalk – A Blog About Music
“Moderately paced, adequately produced, there’s something for everyone. It’s Clintonesque music.”
