If I ran my own business and one of the guys from Motico came in for a job interview, I'd hire him in a heartbeat. That may not sound like much of a complement at first -- after all, employability isn't exactly the most rock 'n' roll character trait in the bunch -- but trust me when I say that this is a good thing. Like any bunch of quality workmen, Motico are precise, keep a tidy workspace, possess a distinct inner drive and have tons of endurance.

On this indie EP, they slog through six meticulously winding tunes, and never once do they let their collective eye for detail get in the way of a good rock-out. Minimalist post-punk icons Steve Albini and Ian Curtis would likely approve of Motico's grinding, repetitive riffs and their quirky, neck-snapping cadences. On the disc's most fully actualized song, "The Smartest Tree in the Forest", the threesome finds a perfect middle ground between Big Black and Slint, with bassist Zach Hagan pounding out snaky, frenetic riffs and guitarist Chris Galzier exercising commendable restraint, only swooping in during particularly intense moments. Here, every note means something, and every subtle shift in dynamics feels like a complete upheaval. "Zooming Past Accuracy" also merits repeat listens, though for entirely different reasons -- it's a lot less math rock and a lot more Mission of Burma, as fiery vocals soar over a bristling punk backdrop.

The other four songs are solid, but they also serve as reminders that Motico have room for growth. The two instrumentals trudge on too long, and the other two vocal tracks sound less confident and more haphazard. As DIY debuts go, though, Motico is a solid listen, and I have a feeling that once these guys spend a little more time on the job, they'll begin to sound like they've been doing it for years.