The "Metric" System

I first discovered Metric from a Paste Magazine music sampler. Even though they're most recent album came out in back in 2005, I am writing about them because they are going on tour, kicking off tomorrow in Toronto. They'll be in NYC on September 21st (at Webster Hall) and Minneapolis on September 26th (at First Ave). Check out the other tour dates on their site or their myspace.

Well I wouldn't call them a dance-rock band, a lot of their music is relatively upbeat. I like their sound. It's fun. Emily Haines' voice is interesting. A good rock and roll voice. For some reason their music is ever so slightly reminiscent of the 90s for me (maybe The Cardigans?), which was, in my opinion, a great rock decade. Maybe that's just my nostalgia kicking in again though...

And, as is everyone who's anyone right now in indie music, they are Canadian. In fact, a few of the members - vocalist Emily Haines and guitarist James Shaw - are also part of Broken Social Scene.

I have to say I'm a little disappointed they haven't come out with an album this year, since their three albums were released in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The next in the pattern should be 2007 right? But they all have a lot of side projects, so they're all really busy. Although, there's still a few months in 2007... Maybe (even though they're on tour...) they'll come out with something yet.

So anyway, go see them on tour! Here are some samples to get you interested:

Poster of a Boy [mp3] - Metric - "Live It Out" (iTunes)
Monster Hospital [mp3] - Metric - "Live It Out" (iTunes)
Combat Baby [mp3] - Metric - "Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?" (iTunes)
The Twist [mp3] - Metric - "Grow Up and Blow Away" (iTunes)

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Theme Thursday - Masochism

A few things before I get to Theme Thursday. 1. Photos and a detailed description of The Mp3 Experiment 4 are up on Improv Everywhere's site. 2. I got to see a preview (or well, my friend called it a preview but according to their website, the play runs August 8th to September 9th, so I'm not sure why she called it a preview) of Shakespeare in the Park's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" last night. It was very enjoyable, despite the slightly chilly weather (but hey, it's no more chilly than most of the air conditioned theaters). And it didn't rain, so that's good. The second half of the play is definitely way better than the first half, so don't leave at intermission (I overheard a guy at a restaurant later saying he left at intermission because he was cold and I told him he missed out). I literally laughed so hard I cried. My favorite part (and I think everyone's favorite part) was the play-within-the-play. The only thing I didn't like was how much music they incorporated, particularly at the very end when they ended it with a boring song instead of just the monologues. The music seemed unnatural. It didn't quite fit and a lot of those actors aren't singers, so it didn't even really sound that great. For the most part the acting was great, although I didn't like the way Mireille Enos overplayed the role of Hermia. I'd have to say my favorites were the workers-turned-actors (who put on the play-within-the-play toward the end). They were all such characters and cracked me up every time they did anything. A word of warning to you if you go though, you have to get in line for tickets (because they're free) by about 7am even though the box office doesn't open until 1pm. I tried to go to Romeo and Juliet but I got there at like 9:30am and was already way behind the cut-off point. Luckily I got these tickets through a friend, so there was no waiting in line involved (I love theater but I am not about to stand in line - or "on line" as New Yorkers like to say - for 6 or so hours). Anyway, now on to Theme Thursday.

Since nobody gave me any suggestions, and since I did sadism last week, I thought I would make this week's theme masochism. Music for Masochists? Yay aliteration. This one should be a lot easier. As I said before, a lot of songs about unrequited love have a certain masochistic undertone.

Let's start with a classic 90s pop song: Love Fool [mp3] - The Cardigans - "First Band on the Moon" (iTunes). This song and I have a sordid (and masochistic) history and so it was the first one I thought of. It's so catchy and upbeat, despite it's rather depressing premise. Maybe this song doesn't seem masochistic to everyone else, but staying with someone you know doesn't really love you is pretty masochistic in my book.

Another upbeat-sounding song: Again and Again [mp3] - The Bird and The Bee - "The Bird and The Bee" (iTunes). This song's masochistic undertones are more subtle. But the lyrics have that sense of repeating mistakes because you just can't help yourself and it hurts but you can't get enough of it. Lyrics: "You're so stupid and perfect and stupid and perfect. I hate you, I want you, I hate you, I hate you. Again, again, again." I'd say it fits.

Mama Mia [mp3] - ABBA - "ABBA Gold" (iTunes). This song is the epitome of that whole "not letting go when you really should" thing I have been describing this whole entry. This one's pretty upbeat too. Why are all masochistic songs so upbeat? Strange, right?

Kill! Kill! Kill! [mp3] - The Pierces - "Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge" (iTunes). I don't know if this song is so much masochistic as just about not being able to get over someone. But I'm totally obsessed with The Pierces and have been looking for a excuses to post about them again. Seriously people, "Thirteen Tales..." is definitely on my list for best albums of 2007. Listen to it. Love it.

My Man (Medley) [mp3] - Regina Spektor - "Live at Bull Moose" (iTunes unavailable). I'd say this one fits the theme best so far. "My man don't treat me right... but he loves me, he loves me, he really really loves me..." And hey, this one's not so upbeat either.

Ok, that's all for today. Leave theme ideas for next Theme Thursday! Tata dahlings.

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