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Metric self-released its fourth album Fantasies this month, and I have no idea how it goes. I mean, I’ve played it quite a bit. I’m listening to opening track “Help I’m Alive” right now. But at its best, Fantasies unremarkably slips by, background music to my online Scrabble games and Gmail chats. Without Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?’s wit and hooks or Live It Out’s muscle, Fantasies stands as another substandard indie dance-rock record in a sea full of ’em. Compared to the band’s previous output, and to the genre as a whole, it is irrelevant and erroneous. This is unfortunate, given that it’s the band’s first DIY release, another early sign that while bands might not need labels, they still need editors.

“Help I’m Alive” starts the record with a series of mini-suite-like hooks. There’s the anticipatory booming drum intro, followed by what feels like 50 different variations of the phrase “My heart is beating like a hammer.” It’s gratingly repetitive, and too slow to warrant much dancing. Same goes for most of the rest of the album. Its strongest moments, like “Gimme Sympathy” and “Stadium Love,” win using cheap tricks. “Gimme Sympathy” settles for comparing the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, effectively stuffing its lyrics with references to other, better songs, over a tepid 16-note dance beat. “Stadium Love” drops cohesive storytelling for rhyming non-sequiturs and “woo”s. It’s nonsense, but at least “Stadium Love” is catchy, and even refreshingly unhinged compared to Fantasies’ more canned moments.

Fantasies brings little to old fans and potential new ones alike. Metric has written better choruses, beats and riffs than anything presented on this bland, safe collection. It’s too boring to rock, too wooden to be ambient. While the band will hopefully remain a stunning live act, all Fantasies promises the touring circuit a few more bathroom break opportunities.



People who liked this also liked:
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    Posted by Piata on 2009-10-05 14:08:26
    My Score:

    Solid album.

    I was never a huge metric fan, but this is different and unique enough to warrant the purchase. The whole album is good from start to finish, provided you like the sparser and more methodical music style.

    Posted by these_parks_are_lakes on 2009-05-11 13:39:43
    My Score:

    The lyrics and hooks on this record are really powerful just underneath the skin. Emily is really owning her point of view on being a lady and having sex. I can see how this isn't everyone's thing. I find it empowering and sexy. ex. Gold Guns Girls and Satellite Mind.

    also, yeah, this isn't Old World Underground

    Posted by evildeadalive on 2009-05-10 00:42:07
    My Score:

    Yeah, those legs are ridiculous... Score's for them.

    Posted by colin on 2009-05-09 11:49:14

    sort of agree with the review, maybe 1/2 or 1 star more. just because, even though it's a forgettable pop album, there are some serious hooks on that (the intro track alone is worth a star). nestled in here are some gems but for the most part it's just music to pass time on long road trips.

    Posted by 24hourpriapism on 2009-05-09 10:00:55

    "These guys are shorter and heavier in America."

    most underrated comment i've ever read on the .org in a long time.

    metric are definitely one of those "background" band for me as well. they're bouncy in places and slinky in others, but most of it simply serves as mid-tempo indie-pop for while i'm doing work.

    however, emily haines' legs are a force to be reckoned with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqldwoDXHKg @ 1:07. hachi machi.

    Posted by nikko on 2009-05-09 03:27:13

    Where is the nofx review? Personally I thought it was pretty bad, but I'm curious to see what other people think.

    Posted by the4footpartysub on 2009-05-08 21:38:01

    i actually really liked this album. i mean it's nothing like their last two, but it's still a decent release.
    when i bought it at newbury comics the disc was signed too... so no complaints from me.

    Posted by i-type-poorly on 2009-05-08 18:30:13

    The album is terribly bland. I don't blame the writer for writing such a boring review. There is nothing to talk about at all here.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-05-08 14:51:53

    Jelonereviewssttuff.org

    Posted by Ollywood on 2009-05-08 13:38:50
    My Score:

    I don't think its as bad as the reviewer makes it out to be, yet I do find it quite underwhelming.

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2009-05-08 12:05:02

    These guys are shorter and heavier in America.
    -Dante

    Posted by trolley on 2009-05-08 12:01:53

    Haven't heard it myself, but it seems like everyone else liked it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasies_(Metric_album)

    Posted by Josiah on 2009-05-08 11:20:09
    My Score:

    I actually love this album start to finish. It does seem more subdued compared to their previous efforts, but there is something about Emily Haines vocals that can save any record for me.

    Posted by treos on 2009-05-08 10:47:49
    My Score:

    ... this was really really good.

    Posted by DuffB on 2009-05-08 10:22:28

    Terrible record, but awesome art.

    Posted by chrisafi on 2009-05-08 10:16:46

    Rather than waste our time with this rubbish release no-one wants to read about, wheres my Gallows review? Huh? :( *sobs**

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