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Track Listings
| 1. Artificial Nocturne |
| 2. Youth Without Youth |
| 3. Speed the Collapse |
| 4. Breathing Underwater |
| 5. Dreams So Real |
| 6. Lost Kitten |
| 7. The Void |
| 8. Synthetica |
| 9. Clone |
| 10. The Wanderlust |
| 11. Nothing But Time |
Product Description
Review
Emily Haines’ Canadian outfit Metric have had the kind of slow-build, long-burn career that many bands would envy. With each of their previous four albums collecting garlands along the way – their most recent, 2009’s self-released Fantasies, netted the band a Polaris nomination, and Juno Alternative Album of the Year and Alternative Band of the Year awards – they appear to have retained their creative impulse along with their audience. Not bad going for a band formed in 1998.
From Synthetica’s opening moment – Haines proclaiming “I’m just as f***ed up as they say” – it is apparent that this is not a band gently lapsing into polite mid-career safeness. The tone, in fact, is often more that of an alienated adolescent, with Artificial Nocturne’s tales of “an outsider’s escape for a broken heart”, or single Youth Without Youth’s slightly overegged attitude: “We played Rubber Soul with the razor blade.”
More positively, there’s also a strain of empowerment running through the album. Dreams So Real muses on the importance of influence, helping others to “believe in the power of songs (…) the power of girls” and of keeping going in the face of indifference: “I’ll shut up and carry on / The scream becomes a yawn.” The title track, too, appears to be celebrating the importance of independent thought, artistic inspiration and originality: the organic versus the synthetic.
All of these weighty and sometimes ponderous sentiments are, crucially, leavened by Metric’s terrific way with an incendiary tune. Never knowingly subtle in approach, the combination of James Shaw’s guitars, shredding and not above the occasional cheesy riffing, the sometimes abrasive, always assertive synths and keyboards and the band’s sheer melodic momentum marks out tracks like Breathing Underwater as almost heroically epic in feel. Other highlights include the euphoric Nothing but Time and the insouciant Lost Kitten.
By the time the curious, shouldn’t-really-work-but-somehow-just-does Lou Reed collaboration The Wanderlust swings into sight towards the album’s end, any remaining Metric sceptics (‘imperialists’?) are likely to have been converted. It seems that the band still have plenty to say, and the means to say it well.
--Marcus J. Moore
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I dont know Metric at all but loved the cover and thought I would check a tune or two out on you tube. On the basis of what I saw, I ordered the album and it arrived today.
So, I have no idea whether they have changed direction, or how it compares to their earlier work, but I love this album. My 21 year old son just came in and wanted to know who was playing and is now speading the word.
It's great guitar and synth power pop with a bit of attitude. If you like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's you will love this.
Pretty safe to say I will be checking out their earlier stuff too. I hope its as good as this.
Update 09/07/12: Just ordered their entire back catalogue as went to see them live at the o2 in Oxford last night and they were amazing......how on earth are this band not huge ??
So, I have no idea whether they have changed direction, or how it compares to their earlier work, but I love this album. My 21 year old son just came in and wanted to know who was playing and is now speading the word.
It's great guitar and synth power pop with a bit of attitude. If you like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's you will love this.
Pretty safe to say I will be checking out their earlier stuff too. I hope its as good as this.
Update 09/07/12: Just ordered their entire back catalogue as went to see them live at the o2 in Oxford last night and they were amazing......how on earth are this band not huge ??
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. A. Dodds
Format:Audio CD
I've been eagerly awaiting this album since it was announced, so I was very pleased when my copy arrived a couple of days earlier than the release date and I've had time to give it a few listens. After the rather not-so-radio-friendly lead single 'Youth Without Youth', I was interested to see where the band had gone with their fifth album. It's certainly quite different, but at the same time, recognisably Metric.
The other track revealed before the album's release, 'Speed The Collapse', is much more of a traditional Metric track than 'Youth Without Youth' was, in fact it would have sat well with the tracks from previous album 'Fantasies' quite nicely. However, many of the other songs are an evolution of the sound the band were developing on 'Fantasies'. There are more synthesizers this time around which is to be expected given the title and themes of the album. Rather than buzzing leads like those found in older tracks like 'Dead Disco' and 'Gimme Sympathy' they tend to be euphoric pads which work really well with the rhythm guitar section laid under them.
My personal favourite track is the title track 'Synthetica', a pacey rock tune that is a good candinate to be a single. I love how the synthesizers come in just as Emily Haines sings 'Hey, I'm not synthetica' in the chorus, I felt it was a nice touch. I also love the ballad-type track that comes directly after it, 'Clone', with twinkly guitar and xylophone in the background. Lou Reed collaboration 'The Wanderlust' is another good track, although Lou Reed himself sounds strangely out of place, though I can't put my finger on why.
My favourite vocal performances from Emily are on the tracks 'Breathing Underwater' and 'Lost Kitten', the latter of which has quickly become a live favourite from what I've heard.... Read more ›
The other track revealed before the album's release, 'Speed The Collapse', is much more of a traditional Metric track than 'Youth Without Youth' was, in fact it would have sat well with the tracks from previous album 'Fantasies' quite nicely. However, many of the other songs are an evolution of the sound the band were developing on 'Fantasies'. There are more synthesizers this time around which is to be expected given the title and themes of the album. Rather than buzzing leads like those found in older tracks like 'Dead Disco' and 'Gimme Sympathy' they tend to be euphoric pads which work really well with the rhythm guitar section laid under them.
My personal favourite track is the title track 'Synthetica', a pacey rock tune that is a good candinate to be a single. I love how the synthesizers come in just as Emily Haines sings 'Hey, I'm not synthetica' in the chorus, I felt it was a nice touch. I also love the ballad-type track that comes directly after it, 'Clone', with twinkly guitar and xylophone in the background. Lou Reed collaboration 'The Wanderlust' is another good track, although Lou Reed himself sounds strangely out of place, though I can't put my finger on why.
My favourite vocal performances from Emily are on the tracks 'Breathing Underwater' and 'Lost Kitten', the latter of which has quickly become a live favourite from what I've heard.... Read more ›
By Sj Fielding
Format:Audio CD
I have not stopped playing this album since I got it for Xmas and it gets better with every listen. My favourite song keeps changing all of the time as they are all so good. I can honestly say there is not one bad track on the album. I thought Fantasies was amazing and at first I didn't think was as good. After a lot of listening though I have changed my mind and I think this is equally as good if not better. The songs and melodies are so catchy and stay in your mind. Highly recommended.
By Remi
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this band by chance whilst flicking through music channels on TV.
Bought Synthetica on the strength of that and love it.
Rare that I can listen to an album in full - but i can with this.
If you like Blondie / New Order / Garbage / Madonna / Sneaker Pimps / St Etienne etc you'll love this.
Gonna buy the rest of Metrics stuff!
Bought Synthetica on the strength of that and love it.
Rare that I can listen to an album in full - but i can with this.
If you like Blondie / New Order / Garbage / Madonna / Sneaker Pimps / St Etienne etc you'll love this.
Gonna buy the rest of Metrics stuff!
By Hazy
Format:Audio CD
I may be a little biased as I have been a huge fan for years, but their latest offering is great. I will admit I am not huge about every song,I think the songs are infallible from Dreams so Real onwards. Others have said that Lou Reed doesn't work on Wanderlust but it's one of my favourites. Lost Kitten is the best track in my opinion. Others have also said that Dreams so Real doesn't go anywhere, but for me it isn't a traditional radio play track like Synthetica, it's almost like a protest song, listen to the lyrics!! Don't forget that Emily is an ardent feminist.
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Slightly different than previous albums, but a very good release.
Best new 'record' i've listened to this year. Metric get better and better with each year.
Best new 'record' i've listened to this year. Metric get better and better with each year.
By Ryman
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
I never normally bother writing reviews but with this I just felt I had to.
I fell in love with Fantasies and this album is an equal classic.
"Lost Kitten" and "Clone" are personal favorites of mine but like Fantasies the whole album is a beaut.
Most people will have likely never heard of these guys, which is a shame because they deserve to be huge.
This band really are amazing, I cannot recommend them enough.
I fell in love with Fantasies and this album is an equal classic.
"Lost Kitten" and "Clone" are personal favorites of mine but like Fantasies the whole album is a beaut.
Most people will have likely never heard of these guys, which is a shame because they deserve to be huge.
This band really are amazing, I cannot recommend them enough.
By Duncurin
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this CD because I'd read a good review in a Sunday paper and also because it's a Canadian band. Older people like me can easily continue to revolve around the music we listened to when we were younger and most of my downloads are to replace old vinyl tracks. My two daughters recognised this many years ago and when I dropped them off at school would ask me to switch the CD off before they opened the door! More recently they won't let me play any music at all - until this CD arrived.
Some wonderful tracks, a teeny bit of swearing, which doesn't widen its appeal, and track 5 is very repetitive, so I tend to skip this. As soon as track 3 came up, however, I knew it was a winner and it sizzles along to track 8, Synthetica , and my current favourite the last track. ( the more you listen the more you appreciate it ) I love the way Emily sings in Track 3 "Then the storm returned for more" with that gentle Canadian drawl and also the way she sings in track 11 "Always said that love is not enough"
Overall it's brilliant and I'm sure they'll make Canada proud, and as for me, now I can even open the car door or wind my window down !
Some wonderful tracks, a teeny bit of swearing, which doesn't widen its appeal, and track 5 is very repetitive, so I tend to skip this. As soon as track 3 came up, however, I knew it was a winner and it sizzles along to track 8, Synthetica , and my current favourite the last track. ( the more you listen the more you appreciate it ) I love the way Emily sings in Track 3 "Then the storm returned for more" with that gentle Canadian drawl and also the way she sings in track 11 "Always said that love is not enough"
Overall it's brilliant and I'm sure they'll make Canada proud, and as for me, now I can even open the car door or wind my window down !
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's good, it's a grower.
I like this album, some of the songs are good like Artificial Nocturne (I like the progressiveness of this song just wish it had as much zest as Hustle Rose does, just when you... Read more
Published 6 months ago by dizzeechanne123
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sounds good but not a particularly strong batch of songs
NOTE 31/5/13: I play this on shuffle all the time. It has wormed its way into my life. I've upped my 3 out of 5 review to 5 out of 5. Read more
Published 9 months ago by BS on parade
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant album.
Love the album and regulary features on my playlist, quite possibly new favourite album of Metric, equally as good as Fantasies. Read more
Published 9 months ago by M.Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Synthetica
I'm a huge fan of Metric's Fantasies and didn't really know what to expect from their new album Synthetica. I wasn't disappointed. Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Young
3.0 out of 5 stars
A more commercial offering
First of all thank you to Mr Dodds for his comprehensive review but this album failed to impress me. Read more
Published 11 months ago by PJ Rankine
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