Dave's Metric Review - VERY VERY LATE

What’s really left to be said about Metric’s “Fantasies”? It’s obvious that all three of us writer types on here like this record and for generally the same reasons. So I could go on here and repeat Gary and Ryan’s points, but then I’d be cheapening the experience for you the reader. Something Metric hasn’t done with this album

Ryan’s right – this album should be handed out on day one of indie song writing school. Gary’s right – Emily Haines’ voice is such a distinctive element, it provides an identity that other bands work years to establish. For me what this album does so well, and consciously, is change it’s mood and create atmosphere and really paint vivid pictures of the themes.

Chord progressions within songs, echoes on snares, and vocal effects all synced together perfectly travel me to a time and place that I’ve only dreamt of – a fantasy land if you allow me to point out the obvious. These subtle, yet monumental, musical shifts within songs, and from song to song give the album a very distinctive atmosphere, which in turn creates worlds for the lyrics to tell the stories in. These are songs for a movie that hasn’t been made yet – the movie we all see ourselves in.

To top it off, there is something for everybody on this album. The band moves itself forward with progressive songwriting, and acknowledges music’s past with their radio hit “Gimme Sympathy”. As far as “cool kid” bands go, I think Metric has finally gotten over themselves in that aspect, or rather a certain clique of the press has gotten over them as the “cool kids’ and they are freer to be who they actually are as a band. Which for everyone is way better – because they are allowed to be better.

If you haven’t already, put this album on and let it run. Don’t sit and listen and ponder the meaning of it – that is not where this album will hit you. It will hit you while you are emptying your dishwasher or barbecuing with friends, or hanging out with your lover. Metric sounds like it matters to people, and it brings people together because it provides a comfortable back ground for good times to happen. Let it ride and enjoy it wherever you need a good song – this one is full of them.