Motions & Miles - Grace EP [2010]

While In:Aviate is on hiatus, some of the members formed the new group Motions & Miles. They recently released the short Grace EP, and even though it is only four songs, it is some of the best music I've heard this year, and I'm very stoked to hear more from this band. They sound a bit like a stripped down version of In:Aviate, with a less complex sound, but just as much power in their music.

The EP kicks things off with the title track, Grace, which isn't as intricate as any of In:Aviate's work, and instead has a straight-forward rock feel similar to The Almost. Grace builds up from a simple beginning into a fun jam perfect for playing loudly in the car with the windows down. Up next is Solipsism, my favorite track on Grace. It sounds quite a lot like In:Aviate, and it has a killer bassline driving it which contrasts nicely with the ambient guitar work. Every Day Between The Facts And Faith brings a nice mixture of the sounds of the first two songs, with some technical sounding elements, great vocal work and a sing-along chorus. The final track, Safe In Sound, has one of the coolest moments on the EP about halfway through the song with the bass and maracas jam (you'll see what I mean when you listen to it.)

The lyrics on this EP show that the band members still have plenty of talent in that area, with lines like "Keep yourself honest, but never too obvious. The only victim is the truth, and sometimes fabrications are win-win situations," and "At night you sit and talk to God, did he ever respond?... I really hope He'd understand or know the struggles of a man." The themes are deep questions about life and dealing with personal struggles, and the lyrics always sound sincere and intelligent. Ryan's eloquent vocals are full of emotion and energy and soar wonderfully over the music, which provides the perfect melodic backdrop.

Genre: Post-Hardcore, Indie Rock

For Fans Of: In:Aviate, The Almost, Closure In Moscow

Contact: Myspace

Tracklisting:

1. Grace

2. Solipsism

3. Every Day Between The Facts And Faith

4. Safe In Sound

-T