Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Synthetica
Metric's new album Synthetica is avaliable a week early from the actual release day on SoundCloud.
http://soundcloud.com/metric-band/sets/synthetica-1
It's an outstanding album that is the same old Metric, but at the same time different. "Artificial Nocturne", the opening piece starts the album with the lyrics "I'm as fucked up as they say", and for this album, it doesn't seem pretentious or faux-angsty at all, but rather is fitting. The entirety of Synthetica seems to explore the world of "what next". It's that place that you get to in life where you have reached an impasse, and don't quite know what to do. Emily Haines sings "Is this my life?" on "Breathing Underwater". Indeed, it seems that the tone of this album shifts to questioning the choices we all make and gives you htat feeling we have when we sometimes find that we no longer really know who we are anymore.
The album seems to somehow be a transgression through out one's life - in the song "Youth Without Youth" sings of lost innocence with stark contrasting images like "playing double dutch with a hand grenade" . It has that spark of teen angst intertwined with rebellion at it's core. From jumping down fire escapes to recounting being arrested, "Youth Without Youth" is a testament to teen rebellion with a stroke of adrenaline-junkie.
"Speed The Collapse" describes heavy despair in life, reaching a point where everything you once knew is gone and something that used to be there is now no longer there. It's empty. "Speed The Collapse" is that destructive relationship that you know is not going anywhere good, but can't leave it.
"Dreams So Real" sings of lost dreams with heavy synth and the days of a forgotten yesterday where everything sings so bright, but the current reality is nothing but a nightmare. With tinged notes of hope, Haines' voice floats, crooning "I'll shut up and carry on, scream becomes a yawn". It's a message of resilience for even when you're at your worst and the darkest that you've ever been at.
"Lost Kitten" is another sickly sweet song on the album that toys with the idea of youth. It taunts and teases, asking for pain and tells of drinking too much, and not being able to live and let go.
The album's namesake song "Synthetica" also doesn't disappoint - the hints of old Metric are most prevalent. "Hey, I'm not Synthetica, I'll keep the life that I've got" Haines proudly proclaims. It's a song of triumph in a world of duplicates.
"The Wanderlust" is also a nice addition in Synthetica , featuring none other than Lou Reed.
"Nothing But Time" is arguably the most haunting offering on Synthetica. It's the retro metric- that dates back to Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Synthetica is a spectacular album as a whole that tells and gives lessons living and let die.
http://soundcloud.com/metric-band/sets/synthetica-1
It's an outstanding album that is the same old Metric, but at the same time different. "Artificial Nocturne", the opening piece starts the album with the lyrics "I'm as fucked up as they say", and for this album, it doesn't seem pretentious or faux-angsty at all, but rather is fitting. The entirety of Synthetica seems to explore the world of "what next". It's that place that you get to in life where you have reached an impasse, and don't quite know what to do. Emily Haines sings "Is this my life?" on "Breathing Underwater". Indeed, it seems that the tone of this album shifts to questioning the choices we all make and gives you htat feeling we have when we sometimes find that we no longer really know who we are anymore.
The album seems to somehow be a transgression through out one's life - in the song "Youth Without Youth" sings of lost innocence with stark contrasting images like "playing double dutch with a hand grenade" . It has that spark of teen angst intertwined with rebellion at it's core. From jumping down fire escapes to recounting being arrested, "Youth Without Youth" is a testament to teen rebellion with a stroke of adrenaline-junkie.
"Speed The Collapse" describes heavy despair in life, reaching a point where everything you once knew is gone and something that used to be there is now no longer there. It's empty. "Speed The Collapse" is that destructive relationship that you know is not going anywhere good, but can't leave it.
"Dreams So Real" sings of lost dreams with heavy synth and the days of a forgotten yesterday where everything sings so bright, but the current reality is nothing but a nightmare. With tinged notes of hope, Haines' voice floats, crooning "I'll shut up and carry on, scream becomes a yawn". It's a message of resilience for even when you're at your worst and the darkest that you've ever been at.
"Lost Kitten" is another sickly sweet song on the album that toys with the idea of youth. It taunts and teases, asking for pain and tells of drinking too much, and not being able to live and let go.
The album's namesake song "Synthetica" also doesn't disappoint - the hints of old Metric are most prevalent. "Hey, I'm not Synthetica, I'll keep the life that I've got" Haines proudly proclaims. It's a song of triumph in a world of duplicates.
"The Wanderlust" is also a nice addition in Synthetica , featuring none other than Lou Reed.
"Nothing But Time" is arguably the most haunting offering on Synthetica. It's the retro metric- that dates back to Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Synthetica is a spectacular album as a whole that tells and gives lessons living and let die.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Not sure if Blur is worthy of all the praise they get in Britain, but I like them a lot nonetheless. One of the key bands of Britpop, a genre also occupied by Oasis. Made Parklife, an awesome album, although calling it one of the best of the 90s is a bit of a stretch (or maybe not, it's pretty good).
Just listen to that accent in the verse, and that ridiculous (not to mention great) chorus. But I assume most of you think his voice is grating. Or sexy. I have no idea.
And this song beat one of Oasis's singles to #1 on the charts (probably for a good reason. "Roll With It" wasn't a particularly great Oasis song. "Cast No Shadow" anyone?). Many Blur songs are bass driven.
One of the only great Oasis songs post-Be Here Now. Noel kept all of the best later songs for himself.
What an excellent first single by the Jesus and Mary Chain. Play this loudly and sit through the whole thing. I dare you.
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