they try to kick it, their feet fall asleep

a i mentioned in a previous post, i have a tendency to buy records based on album artwork alone. this record was on the "NEW RELEASES shelf," in plan 9 music, harrisonburg. the 3 sentence description blabbed about blondie and other new wave releases. but to me the two biggest selling points in this impulse buy were these: 1. metric is a girl fronted ensemble led by singer emily haines, who also happens to lend her artistic talents to broken social scene. 2. emily haines also plays synth.

not only did this album rock with the feverish intensity of our post-punk fore-fathers, but it has this fragile soft side that, while contrasting the rock, does nothing but compliment its other half; it doesnt distract or take away. in fact, if one were to shuffle the playing order of the record, i'm not convinced it makes sense anymore. unfortunately, the few times metric have made it to VA, i have been playing shows of my own, so i cant say how a randomized play order works live. but the delicate balance of balls-out, brazen rock to beautifully quiet and intimate honesty leaves one reaching for the repeat button. in the pre-re-election nightmare that was 2004, this album was my battle cry:

"SUCCEXY"
Let's drink to the military | The glass is empty
Faces to fill and cars to feed
Nothing could beat complete denial
All we do is talk, sit, switch screens
As the homeland plans enemies

Invasion's so succexxy

"OLD WORLD UNDERGROUND"
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
...But I've seen your face everywhere
there was a farm before we tore
the small town down.
multiply divide

There are quite a few records on this list that, on one or more occasions, have made me cry. but if ever i fell in love with a singer for her thoughts, it was here:

"CALCULATION THEME"
Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost, Where is the love?
Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost, Who here is in line for a raise?
Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost, Where is the love?
Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost, Who put these bodies between us?

#15

METRIC-Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2003
LABEL: Everloving