So, it's been almost 4 years since we've heard new material from one of Canada's best indie rock bands, but on Tuesday the wait is over and Metric's fourth album Fantasies will be officially released.
Now I realize I may have confused some of you when I said that it's been a long 4 year wait for new material, but the fact is that their last album was in fact 2005's Live It Out, not the '07 release Grow Up and Blow Away which although released in 2007, was actually the band's first album recorded way back around 2000...it just took them 8 years to get it released. Please, feel free to use that little tidbit at your next cocktail party my friend.
I usually listen to music when I'm running, and when I say listen, I mean really listen. When I'm running I find I can really concentrate on everything...the music, the lyric, and the imagery the two can invoke when combined. When I first listened to Fantasies, however, I wasn't running, I was riding the subway to work, which I soon realized is another great way to really listen to music. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for music at parties and when driving, but when you can switch off everything else in your head and just concentrate on the music, it can be something amazing. Let me tell you, this was one of those amazing experiences.
Metric first caught my attention back in '03 when Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? was released. I heard Dead Disco and was totally hooked. A few years later I picked up their follow up album Live It Out, and I have to admit it was good, but I wasn't as blown away. To be honest, I've never really given Grow Up And Blow Away a fair chance, but I know I will one day.
Fantasies, however, has got me hooked all over again. The way that Emily Haines' voice simply flows with the music is incredible, she is one of those artists who can really use her voice as an instrument, and the final result on the album is almost symphonyesque (no, it's not a real word). Sure, there are stand alone tracks on the album, but this is also one of those times when the worth of the album producer is really evident...just listen to the album cover to cover and you'll hear the flow of the tracks that will keep you hanging on through till the last note fades out on the track Stadium Love.
Stand out tracks for me were Gold Guns Girls, Gimme Sympathy, and Sick Muse. There was also the guitar heavy track Front Row, which for some reason reminded me of what I've always loved about this band. The bottom line is I'm digging this album, and you might to, so check it out. Metric - Fantasies - Due Tuesday April 7, 2009 (1 week ahead of the original schedule).
A little extra for fans, they will be playing free shows and doing the following autograph signings:
Toronto - HMV - 333 Yonge St. - April 9 @ 5:30PM
Montreal - Apple Store - 1321 St. Catherine St. West - April 16 @ 8PM
There's also the live show happening April 14th at the Mod Club in Toronto, which is also free, but you'll have to win tix from radio station Edge 102. For Ottawa fans, your show is April 12...but you'll have to listen to radio station Live 88.5 for tickets. Good luck!
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