Review: Metric - Fantasies (* * * 1/2)

Any band associated with Broken Social Scene runs the risk of being held to a ridiculously high standard of musical accomplishment. Of course, it's not really fair, or even worthwhile to make such comparisons, but for bands like Canada's Metric, it's difficult to escape them. Frontwoman Emily Haines and guitarist James Shaw are both contributors to the famed Indie collective, but are primarily known for their involvement with this more accessible electro-rock project that has seen its fair share of both critical acclaim and indifference. After a four year absence, the band is back with Fantasies, a collection of ten songs continuing the quartet's signature sound, full of epic pop hooks and Haines' smooth vocals.

Opening tracks - the intense, dramatic first single "Help I'm Alive" and the driving, catchy "Sick Muse" set the stage for the remainder of the record. Haines delivers her pointed lyrics with extra doses of sincerity and sarcasm in equal measure while the drums pound out simple beats over which the layers of guitars form walls of noise that build to grand explosions of sound. It's not exactly revolutionary, but Haines has a keen ear for melody and the band ably back her with sharp execution throughout the record. Though the songs on Fantasies are a bit uneven, there are enough shining moments here to justify some quality time with the album. The synth-heavy rocker "Gimme Sympathy," the shimmering "Collect Call," and the sparse, distant "Twighlight Galaxy" all succeed admirably and with style.

As good as much of Fantasies is, the latter half of the record feels scattered, as songs like the scuzzy "Front Row" and the noisy, messy closer "Stadium Love" contribute little toward what should have been a stronger finish. Here, the music feels forced and the lyrics lean toward more vapid generalities that leave the songs feeling strangely empty. Fortunately, the few misfires don't derail the entire project, and the record retains some decent replay value with Haines' crystal clear voice and edgy attitude holding things together. At times it's sexy, other times angry and bitter, but Fantasies is always catchy, confident, and just about crowded with hooks. Metric seem to be on an upward trend here; let's hope that holds.

Metric return with new LP, offer free acoustic MP3

Metric, the indie rock band fronted by Broken Social Scene member Emily Haines, will release their fourth album, Fantasies, on April 14. The record will feature ten new songs of the group's electronically-inclined rock music and will be a followup to 2005's Live It Out. Haines had the following to say about the recording of the album:

"For me, the major influences on the record were the places we wrote it: Bear Creek, this utopian farmhouse studio, and then our own studio in Toronto, which definitely brought in the electro, dance and rock elements because the city feels so good right now and so many of our musician friends were around. And then for me, being in Buenos Aires, most of the songs I brought to this record came out of being in exile with just a piano and a guitar. And then in the final stages, mixing at Electric Lady in NYC brought everything around to where we first met Josh and Joules.”

You can hear a preview by listening to the first single and lead track "Help, I'm Alive" below:





Also, if you're interested in getting a free acoustic version of the song for download, just enter your email address into the following widget (linked to the band's website):



Lastly, here's the track list:

Help I'm Alive
Sick Muse
Satellite Mind
Twilight Galaxy
Gold Guns Girls
Gimme Sympathy
Collect Call
Front Row
Blindness
Stadium Love