Metric – Live It Out
Emily Haines, singer of Metric has a incredible voice. Their previous album “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” showed this very well. But, “Live It Out” steps it up a bit. The sound seems to be a bit heavy and much more raw which is an interesting move. “Empty” starts off with a rather simple and slow intro and it’s just destined to break out into something loud. It kicks into a rousing indie tune and Emily is in terrific form. “Glass Celling,” musically is a bit of a mess but in a good way, things just keep popping up through the song. But, it really works. “Poster of a Girl” is a true highlight here. The tracks’ slightly electronic vibe and Emily whispering in French, it’s unique and very sexy. ” Monster Hospital ” has a great rock edge to it. “Patriarch on a Vespa” is a bit more bass heavy, it works well with the ahhs and woos. “Live It Out” one of the more accessible tracks on the album. A true power pop tune, very catchy and will certainly get stuck in your head for days on in.
Any direction Metric take they also sound so fresh. Which shows the band have some longevity. They sound more confident and are playing better than ever. We get to reap the benefits. “Live It Out” is a very solid record that should not be missed.
By John Siwicki
King Biscuit Time – C I AM 15
After the demise of the Beta Band, it was only a matter of time before we heard from the one of the guys. Steve Mason brought back his King Biscuit Time project. With a delightful bass sound, and a great Steve Mason trademark vocal going for it, the track is surprisingly enjoyable and it has charm. The end of the track features a rap about Blair and Bush by none other than Top Cat, this is my first experience with him. The rap doesn’t seem out of place unlike most tracks where indie guys bring in rappers. It’s a well produced track with a great beat, which deserves a look.
By John Siwicki
New Order – Waiting For The Sirens Call
A New Order album is like an event. They don’t come very often; this is the second in the last 12 years (2001 Get Ready and 1993 Regret), so of course anticipation was very high. After all these years they still sound fresh and hip.
“Who’s Joe” starts off with an interesting mildly dark intro. The track is a simple little rock song that is very charming. “Hey Now What You Doing” would fit in perfectly on “Get Ready,” again another guitar driven number and some nice daft lyrics to boot. “Krafty” of course is just plain splendid. “I Told You So” is where things start to get a bit on the dance side. It’s got a nice pounding beat. The track does have a good feel to it and will get the people moving. “Morning Night And Day” has a big beat intro, that smooth Hooky bass line, big silly chorus. It’s all here for fantastic pop song. “Jetstream” features Scissor Sisters vocalist Ana Matronic. She provides a sexy and sassy backup vocal to Bernard. The track is a lot of fun, its easy to sing along to, and would be a brilliant single choice. “Guilt Is a Useless Emotion” have the band sounding as sexy as ever. It’s a full on dance track that will not keep you in your seat. The track has some great beats and is heavy on the synths and this one really stands out. “Turn” is a track that at times reminds us of Joy Division but the vocals are a bit more upbeat. “Turn your eyes from me/It’s time for me to go/Across the hills and over the sea” its simple but very effective.
New Order created an album that plays out much like their Greatest Hits would. You have a few songs very guitar oriented and then you have some full out dance tracks. The band has survived everything thrown at them; but they still make some of the best pop music out there and still sound fresh and cutting edge.
By John Siwicki
Royksopp – 49 Percent
Royksopp’s new LP “The Understanding” was a very good record except for one thing, this track. Easily, the weakest moment on the album and why this is a single is beyond me with so many better tracks to pick from (What Else Is There?, Beautiful Day Without You just to name a few). “49 Percent” lazy beat over, some incredibly awful lyrics doesn’t really do much for me. The only saving grace is it picks up a bit in the end. Get the LP and be prepared to skip this one.
By John Siwicki