Morning Runner
Wilderness Is Paradise Now

THE REVIEW

Today, as almost always, I was wandering in the Alternative Rock section (how I hate that term) of Fnac, and, as almost always, not finding what I was looking for, and since Micky (my friend and clerk) wasn't there, I headed towards the all-knowing Nerd-looking guy with glasses (who, I believe, isn't truly a nerd). After finding me the Midlake album (which, of course, wasn't in alternative but in TRADITIONAL Rock), he goes, "Do you know this album?" and I reply a bit bored with a no, but he insists, "If you have a minute, listen to it because it's worth it, I understand your taste, and you might like it!" and hands it to me. Having nothing better to do, I think why not. I analyze it and immediately notice a beautiful cover (it looks better in person), then I start listening to it and am instantly surprised by tapping my foot and the CD on the counter, thinking the first track is likely good, as it usually is, but the second might be even better. By the third, I start suspecting that the nerd might be onto something, the fourth starts slow and I think here's the weak track, but instead, it's a Jane's Addiction-style ballad that grows and grows until the final explosion, stunning.

No need to go on, I'm already at the checkout with the Midlake (which I, of course, recommend to everyone, it's among the top 5 CDs of the year for me) and these mysterious Morning Runner. I head home and think it's perhaps been a few years since I bought a CD without downloading it first, so even more eager, I put it into Rolando (my MACbook) and import it, in the meantime listening to it again thoroughly, really beautiful, great Nerd, from today I respect you a bit more, you made me discover a nice album of good songs by a debuting band, that classic English Rock I like, spontaneous but not too much, elaborate, with many instruments, piano and brass but not too pompous, progressive and shouted but not emo or veering into metal, distorted just right, melodic yes but not too sweet.

I browse and discover they are from Reading, England, then I look for reviews and find lukewarm comments, at best they define them a good band. I take a chance and say they have a great future if they continue with this technique, this desire to make good songs without being pressed by trends, I would love to see them live, they must be fabulous, I have this feeling.

In short, it's not the masterpiece of the decade but surely 15 euros well spent. It's true that you understood my tastes, dear Nerd.