after a few releases here and there all over the world (especially the well received live it out), the debut album from metric finally hits the uk via those fine people at groenland records.
since the band recorded this way back in 1999 it’s quite a shock to find that is has never actually been released !
which is kind of mad, given that it is very good.
however, now that the band are an established part of the electro-pop indie scene and have been accepted as part of the mtv-friendly world, various labels have grouped together and sorted out a proper release at last.
to be honest, when this album dropped through the letter box a few weeks ago, my mood was not ready for such lushly produced pop music, so it was temporarily put to one side and given little love. thankfully a random shuffle made the penny drop, heavily. since then, this short but sweet release has hardly left my playlist.
the songs are lovely, where wide screen production values are matched against the most addictive pop songs that hide a dark lyrical side to the band.
one easy association would be to say that there are times the band come over as a descendent of the cardigans and joy zipper. emily haines innocent lost girl vocals are sublime sitting in the electronically enhanced mellowness perfectly, often supplemented with the layers of vocals, piano, and ambience. as the band are in the middle of sorting out new material, this fan pleasing release is a great way to catch up, and tune into the easy going bands style.