For Brad Laner, guitarist and songwriter for the band Medicine, constant comparisons between his outfit and British noisemakers My Bloody Valentine have overrun their course.

"It's all pretty silly, but it keeps us amused," Laner said.

Together for three years, Medicine's three cohorts -- Laner, vocalist Beth Thompson and drummer Jim Goodall -- have proved themselves worthy of such comparisons. Yet My Bloody Valentine's dreamy combination of noise and pop seems rather passive in the face of the more aggressive screech and charm that is Medicine, especially on the band's sophomore effort, The Buried Life.

Although both groups combine high levels of designed noisy clutter with ethereal vox, Medicine offers a harder edge while maintaining a relaxing state for listeners. But because Medicine and My Bloody Valentine are grouped under the "alternative music" banner, comparisons have arisen.

Thompson, who Laner calls the "chanteuse" of the band, believes the comparisons are more apt when listening to their debut, Shot Forth Self Living, yet the influence is still relevant in the band's latest effort.

"Yes, the band has listened to My Bloody Valentine, but everything we've listened to has influenced us in some way," Thompson said. "My Bloody Valentine and us have a similar beauty and noise to our music."

Currently gearing up for a U.S. tour with Swervedriver, which will kick off in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, the band is also in the studio putting the finishing touches on an EP due out in the spring. Songs of Medicine will feature remixes of early Laner-produced songs by such producers as George Drakoulias, best known for his work with the Black Crowes.

Working with outside producers is another step for Medicine. The Buried Life was produced by Laner, who believes an outside producer comes into an album with a preconceived notion of what it will sound like -- and pushes a band to fit that ideal.

"It takes nerve and a lot of focus but it's important to have control," Laner said. Although The Buried Life was mixed on a standard 24-track system, many of the songs were recorded on Laner's 8-track machine.

Although production on songs such as "Babydoll" and "Fried Awake" are layered in guitar feedback that echoes in many of the tracks, they never sound polished -- they all sound rough. The last track on the album -- the mesmerizing "The Earth is Soft and White" -- is a sound collage of items that Laner recorded around his house, including tin foil and running water.

Although the band members hail from L.A., which, since the mid-'80s, has been a hotbed for bands featured on "MTV's Headbanger's Ball," Laner admits they are basically loners in the land of teased hair.

"There are a handful of bands around that don't fit into that stereotype, but it's just too creepy for me," Laner said, adding that when he thinks of music from L.A., he reminisces about the era that produced The Doors, Buffalo Springfield and The Beach Boys.

"That, to me, is where L.A. is at," he said.

Thompson is still amazed that metal remains a vibrant part of her local music scene.

"It's hard for us because metal still has legs here," Thompson said. "There are still guys onstage here with long hair and tight pants."

Understandably, Medicine is looking to expand beyond the "uninspiring" L.A. club circuit. The future may bring bigger crowds, more albums and music videos. The band recently finished a video for "Never Click," which left Laner despising the process.

"There's only one radio station people turn into now and that's MTV," Laner said. "MTV is the only thing nowadays that can break a band big. It means people are just lazy, because music is meant to be listened to."

And what will Beavis and Butt-Head think of the band that Guitar World called ". . . America's answer to My Bloody Valentine?"

"They might actually like our video because there are some chicks and the music is pretty noisy," Laner joked. "Plus, there's even a little fire."