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Metric
Live It Out


3.5
great

Review

by Jawaharal USER (33 Reviews)
November 21st, 2005 | 20 replies


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist


I find myself often daydreaming when listening to this album. It brings back so many memories of 90’s music. The grunge fury of the early 90’s, the alternative craze, and bands fronted by girls. But unlike nostalgia bands like The Darkness, Metric are actually good.

Not necessarily a nostalgia band nor a cheap way to visit the past, Metric exists in the same vein as Garbage. Both are fronted by woman and both can be loud and quiet. But the Emily Haines is sexy unlike that rough woman who looks like garbage (pun intended). Just like the lead singer, this music is fine. The album ranges from the fast and rocking tunes (Monster Hospital), the sexy and mysterious (Empty), and the chill (Ending Start). And even with this much diversity the songs don’t suck like they should.

Why this band isn’t topping our pop-rock charts at the moment? I have no idea. They are in every way appealing to the public. They successfully mix synth pop with rock and keep the mainstream appeal too. If the public can like Sheryl Crow than they can love Emily Haines. Her voice can be dark and mysterious while maintaining that fun and sexy edge required for pop. Not only is her voice marvelous as it is, it perfectly mixes with the music. Her brooding vocals compliment the moody guitar in Empty so well its like milk and cookies. It was meant to be.

The instruments exceed the already low pop expectations by a long distance. The guitar riffs are raw and fuzzy and play some of catchiest riffs I’ve heard this year. Every now and then you’re treated to a little taste of electric inspired rock when the guitarist decides to spice things up with a completely un-coordinated solo. The guitars also take on an undeniable metal influence. The wide of use of pinch harmonics in metal can be heard often and the guitars can chug too. Synths are commonly used too and have a New Age taste to them. The Police And The Private is very laidback and New Age influenced. Handshakes and Poster Girl also have electronic samples and synths scattered throughout. To sum it up, the instruments do their job very well.

It still astounds me how they are not popular and write good political lyrics. If half of the world believes Billy Joe Armstrong’s incorrect politics are amazing than they should embrace for Metric’s smart anti-war anthems. The often can be subtle depictions of war-life
Here no one sleeps; one lays up while the other lies down
Too the easier to picture terrors of war
But I don't want to live it alone
Look at you, I know I'm already dead
Now I'm never gonna see you again

Too the flat out obvious
I fought the war but the war won't stop for the love of god.
I fought the war but the war won

This album is making just as big an anti-war statement as its predecessor.

Even though this album is exceptionally great it’s not flawless. Even though the song variety is considerable and all the songs are good, it can get a little tiresome. This album doesn’t stay too fresh throughout your listen, much less one week if straight listening. Even though the songs may use different instrument approaches and tempos they all feel connected and all faintly similar even for an album of only ten songs. The album as a whole drags on some times and one song may seem like a continuation on the other, but if this album is viewed as collection of songs only one is tiresome. Ending Start isn’t bad, but it doesn’t exactly keep your interest throughout the whole thing.

An album like this in the rock-pop world may seem unlikely, and destined to fail, but Metric hold the intelligent pop-rock flag high. They can simultaneously sing good political lyrics and perform catchy songs all while giving you a metric by looking at the lead singer. This band is definitely what the mainstream world needs in this originality starved MTV nation. But sadly Metric will most likely be passed and unrecognized by the modern radio and left for music lovers who are willing to go under the surface to experience something great.

Recommended Songs:
Empty
Handshakes
Monster Hospital




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user ratings (262)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
pulseczar
November 22nd 2005


2385 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

good review, I prefer their debut, but I'll take miss Haines anyday :naughty:



btw release date is october 4 2005This Message Edited On 11.21.05

Jawaharal
November 22nd 2005


1832 Comments


I'll add it


Zebra
Moderator
November 22nd 2005


2647 Comments


Very good review, the opening paragraph was great.

I have just heard the debut album, and it's excellent. I will probably purchase this in a few weeks or so.

Rudd13
November 22nd 2005


952 Comments


This was great writing. I welcome cheeto back from his....unfortunate suspension. Dont let it happen again, it was stupid. Good work, sir.

Jawaharal
November 23rd 2005


1832 Comments


ha, this album actually did gain some indie spot-light in one of my local papers.

Jawaharal
December 22nd 2005


1832 Comments


Is it just me or does Empty's opening riff sound just like the opening riff of Dirty Boots?

Scott Herren
December 22nd 2005


192 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

the monster hospital video is my favorite video of the year.

scallahan06
February 12th 2006


124 Comments


bought this today. wicked album. i use to hate this band, now im insainly into them. more of you guys should get into this its worth it

Two-Headed Boy
February 24th 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Ah, these guys are awesome. This is a great sophomore album, with Monster Hospital actually a pretty bad track compared to others.

They came to my town last night. Pretty sweet.This Message Edited On 02.28.06

Music_Is_My_Life
March 10th 2006


100 Comments


I've really been meaning to check these guys out but as a poor student I'm strapped for cash and can't buy many CD's right now .


Jubella
March 12th 2006


27 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

great album, great review! It took me some time to enjoy this album as much as their debut, but I really do now. Patriarch on a vespa is one of my favorite song on the album.

Two-Headed Boy
March 12th 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Jubella know's where it's at!

MAthiAS
March 18th 2006


54 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great band, great album. Debut is better IMO, but there's some gems on here. Empty, Handshakes, Patriarch..., and title track are the highlights for me. The lyrics really shine on this one, better than OWU I think.

Two-Headed Boy
April 3rd 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I like Police and the Private. My new favorite.

NovaP
April 3rd 2006


5 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"Every ten year-old enemy soldier

Thinks falling bombs are shooting stars sometimes

But she doesn't make wishes on them

When she wishes, she wishes for less ways to wish for

More ways to work toward it

Ten year-old enemy soldier

Our falling bombs are her shooting stars"



I love that verse. My favorite part of the whole album. Which is saying alot because this is one of my favorite cd's of 05.

Two-Headed Boy
June 17th 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

That's not on this album, young jeezy.

stinkypoptart
June 24th 2006


1169 Comments


i like monster hospital and Emily Haines.

Two-Headed Boy
July 12th 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

It appears I've been a fanboy on this page, but after listening to this album a few times more I just realized how repetetive Metric are. They haven't tried anything new or even entertaining, at least in my opinion. They're ultimately boring.

screamrevolution
November 18th 2006


3 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

great album!

struggling to find their old world underground, where are you now though..

MrKite
June 28th 2007


5020 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

This seems like the kind of album that I'd listen to the songs halfway through, get bored and go on to the next one.



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