PopSyndicate.com

Intriguing, but not for someone who needs white noise to work.

If you like burst-your-eardrums riffs and the constant pounding of drums, Microtia should be part of your iPod playlist.
Hard rock fans probably won’t even notice that they cannot hear the lyrics over the LOUD drums, bass and guitar in the band’s latest, Distance Is Oval.
The five songs featured on the disc are full of riffs and dissonant sounds. Based on the heavy pounding throughout, the drummer seemed to be having a good time keeping the beat going for each song. 
There are long guitar solos as well as drum sequences on this album.  If I were attending a live performance, I’d be a nervous wreck by the second song and ready to leave.  The band just did not satisfy the hunger I felt inside for some gritty, sink-your-teeth-into-this music.  You definitely would not hear their music aired on a soft rock radio station.  They’re not in business to put people to sleep.  Rather, they want everyone to be awake.
The lead singer’s voice could have been stronger to hold its own against the drums and guitars.  Perhaps in time he will stand closer to the microphone – or get bigger lungs - so the lyrics will be evident to the listener.  I was never so happy to hear the final chords on track five so I could remove the CD from my player and put it back in its case.
The group’s major influences for their music are from Cancer Conspiracy, Coalesce,and Mars Volta.  Cancer Conspiracy inspired long riffs on guiatra, Coalesce influenced them with heavy metal and groove and Mars Volta inspired lyrical adaptations.
“Distance is Oval” was intriguing, but definitely not for someone who needs white noise to work.  It’s better suited to mosh pits and head banging than reading or working.  I found I couldn’t concentrate on doing anything else except look at their Web site (http://myspace.com/microtia) while I listened, hoping I’d hear some lyrics and understand the words.
If this is the genre you like, the CD will be a hot pick.  As for me, give me something more along the line of “The Sound of Music” or even several renditions by The Beatles.

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