Metric | "Youth Without Youth" [Stream]

A few weeks back Metric announced details for their new album Synthetica. The first single "Youth Without Youth" was promised at the beginning of May and here we are. Take a listen down below.



Metric | [Official Site] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Tour Dates]

Metric Announce New Album Synthetica + Track Listing Details

One of our favorite bands is finally releasing a new album. Metric is returning to the scene with their fifth album Synthetica on June 12th. Produced by the band's lead guitarist Jimmy Shaw and mixed by John O'Mahony (Coldplay, The Cribs, Emily Haines), the eleven-track effort will even include a song ("The Wanderlust") featuring Lou Reed.

Here's what singer Emily Haines had to say about the new record: "Synthetica is about staying home and wanting to crawl out of your skin from the lack of external stimulation...about forcing yourself to confront what you see in the mirror when you finally stand still long enough to catch a reflection...about being able to identify the original in a long line of reproductions. It's about what is real vs what is artificial." [via]

The album's first single "Youth Without Youth" should be hitting the interwebs at the beginning of May so keep a eye out. We'll do the same. You can read more about the album at Metric's official site.

Track Listing:
1. "Artificial Nocturne"
2. "Youth Without Youth"
3. "Speed the Collapse"
4. "Breathing Underwater"
5. "Dreams So Real"
6. "Lost Kitten"
7. "The Void"
8. "Synthetica"
9. "Clone"
10. "The Wanderlust" (feat. Lou Reed)
11. "Nothing But Time"

Metric | [Official Site] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Tour Dates]

SXSW 2010: Metric at The FADER Fort/Zynga Party

SXSW Adds A Few More Big Names

Having announced over 430 bands already, SXSW dropped a few more heavy hitters today. Joining the lineup will be Cheap Trick, Metric, Broken Social Scene, and the return of She & Him to Austin (who were so awesome in 08'). With the new year already underway expect more additions in the upcoming weeks. [Via]

Last Night: Metric at La Zona Rosa

Metric announces Fall Tour (with Austin date)

We have been waiting years to have Metric come back to Austin and today the band announced their Fall tour dates and we finally get them back on December 1st. The band released Fantasies in April and it has slowly grown on us and become one of our favorite albums of the year.

Metric on Tour

Nov 16 Buffalo, NY | Town Ballroom
Nov 17 Portland, ME | Portland City Music Hall
Nov 18 Hartford, CT | Webster
Nov 19 Providence, RI | Lupo's
Nov 20 Boston, MA | House of Blues
Nov 21 Clifton Park, NY | Northern Lights
Nov 23 Baltimore, MD | Ram's Head Live!
Nov 24 Pittsburgh, PA | Mr. Small's
Nov 25 Philadelphia, PA | Electric Factory
Nov 27 Charlotte, NC | Neighborhood Theatre
Nov 28 Atlanta, GA | Center Stage
Nov 30 Houston, TX | Warehouse Live
Dec 1 Austin, TX | La Zona Rosa
Dec 2 Dallas, TX | Palladium Ballroom

[Photo by Castro]

Video: Metric on Letterman with Behind The Scenes footage

Metric is definitely one of our favorite bands and even though we were less than impressed with their Letterman performance we thought everyone should check it out if they missed it. 'Help I'm Alive' is still a great track and we are thinking that Emily Haines was so subdued because she was nervous. The idea of a video leading up to the performance was a good idea though. Check it out...

Metric :: Behind the Scenes at Letterman

Metric :: Help I'm Alive on Letterman

NPR Presents: Metric In Concert (Live from Washington, D.C.) [Stream]

Tonight Metric will be performing at Washington, D.C.'s 9:30 Club. NPR will be there to stream the concert live for fans starting at 10pm ET.

[Listen Here]

Also, be sure to check out the review/pics our Denver contributer Castro was able to capture from last week's Metric show at the Ogden Theater. We're still jealous of him...

(Photo Cred: Justin Broadbent)

Last Night: Metric-The Ogden Theater: Denver, Colorado

Drizzly skies and six dollar Newcastle's could not deter loyal fans of Metric from the Ogden on the night of the 11th. Openers Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains gave the crowd a rock frenzy of distorting guitars with a dose of dance friendly numbers, contradicting to his My Space page that describes his sound as healing and easy listening. Next up was Metric, hailing from Toronto they supplied the all-ages crowd with a long energetic set taking no time at all to smash into their current single Help I'm Alive off their April album release Fantasies.

Mesmerizingly beautiful front-woman Emily Haines moved between the guitar, tambourine, and keyboard throughout the hour and a half long set. A set very reminiscent of The Sounds mixed in with a tame No Doubt. The only time she would pause would be to address the audience or say something that truly needed to be said. "Maybe we could be the Canadian equivalent to the Stones and the Beatles; two bands that we idolize," Haines said after a minute of reflecting on the fact that "the [Rolling] Stones went corporate and The Beattes broke up." Metric has been making music and touring since '98 and show no sign of fatigue. Ending the show tonight, they made it feel like it was their last night of their last tour. But that is far from the truth. These four will be going hard and strong through the rest of the summer and well into next autumn stopping at halls like Terminal 5 in NYC and supernatural festivals such as Glastonbury. During this nearly unbelievable four day fest, Haines, Shaw, Winstead, and Scott-Key will share a four-day weekend with acts ranging from The Prodigy to Maximo Park to The Streets to Metronomy.

PS: I love you Emily.

-A Walking Disaster

For more pics of the show click here.

New Metric Video :: "Sick Muse"

I wish Metric was coming to Austin, but I digress. Here's their new video for "Sick Muse".

Catch Metric on their North American tour starting in June. Remember they'll also be on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on June 8th, more info here.

[Metric Myspace]
[Metric Official Site]

KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" Unveils Upcoming Schedule (Metric, Passion Pit, Siversun Pickups, and more)

(Emily Haines of Metric)

KCRW (89.9), based in Los Angeles and on the web at KCRW.com are having a bunch of great bands perform for them in-studio starting tomorrow on their popular Morning Becomes Eclectic show. All performances start at 11:15 AM (PST) and will be available in the archives within 24 hours, including audio and videocast online. Check out the full schedule down below.

[KCRW Official Site]

MAY:
Thursday, May 14 - Extra Golden
Friday, May 15 - The Decemberists
Monday, May 18 - Loney, Dear
Tuesday, May 19 - Other Lives
Wednesday, May 20 - Zee Avi
Thursday, May 21 - Sara Watkins
Friday, May 22 - Passion Pit

JUNE:
Monday, June 1 - James Yuill
Tuesday, June 2 - Eels
Wednesday, June 3 - Cotton Jones
Thursday, June 4 - Silversun Pickups
Friday, June 5 - Band of Skulls
Monday, June 8 - Metric
Tuesday, June 9 - Miike Snow
Wednesday, June 10 - Jason Lytle
Thursday, June 11 - The Church

(Photo Cred: Andrew Kendall)

Metric :: "Help I'm Alive" Short Film

Originally conceived as a limited edition vinyl single, Metric's "Help I'm Alive" was sold only at December concerts. Seeing how with the internet, everything can be everywhere within a matter of minutes, the song leaked and soon enough was on numerous blogs and being played on radio stations all over the world. The song became a big hit and was added to their new album Fantasies, which by the way, was just released last Tuesday.

Today a short film by Deco Dawson was released. It consists of concert footage of "Help I'm Alive" done in a totally creative way. Read more about how it came about in a blog Emily Haines wrote on their Myspace, here.

Check out on Metric on tour.

[Metric Myspace]
[Metric Official Site]

Metric Announces 2009 North American Tour Dates

We were excited to find out Metric is going on tour this Summer, but not too pleased they're skipping Austin this time around. Hopefully they make an appearance at this year's Austin City Limits, but we're secretly hoping for a more intimate show. In addition to their amazing music and live show, it would be great to see the beautiful Emily Haines up close (again).

Metric's new album Fantasies drops April 14th, pre-order it here. Check out their video for "Gimme Sympathy". Haines and crew's tour dates are down below.

[Metric Myspace]
[Metric Official Site]

Metric 2009 North American Tour Dates:
06/04 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
06/05 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
06/06 - San Francisco, CA @ BFD
06/07 - San Diego, CA @ Independence Jam
06/08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
06/11 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
06/12 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada
06/13 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
06/14 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
06/15 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
06/17 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5
06/18 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
06/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
06/20 - Toronto, ON @ Edgefest

Metric :: "Gimme Sympathy" Video

Metric's new album, Fantasies sounds fantastic. Stream it here and cross your fingers they announce an Austin tour date in the near future. The official release date for the new album is April 14th, with many different options available for pre-order.

[Metric Myspace]
[Metric Official Site]

Stream Metric's Fantasies

We've loved Metric for a long time now and the one time we saw them in concert still remains one of the best shows we've ever seen live. Lately, we've been excited about the news they're finally releasing a new album. Fantasies is due out at the end of the month digitally. Stream the entire album down below and tell us what you think.

[Metric Myspace]

[Metric Official Site]

Expect tour dates to be announced in the near future. We pray they come back to Austin, although I doubt the venue won't be as intimate a setting as The Parish.

"The Rawside Of..." Metric :: "Give Me Sympathy" (Acoustic) Video

We're so excited the new Metric album Fantasies finally comes out next month (April 14th to be exact)! Here's an acoustic version of one of the new songs entitled, "Give Me Sympathy" as shot for an episode of "The Rawside Of..." on IFC Canada.

This video was just one of the segments they shot for "The Rawside Of...". Check out more of the other videos here.

Read more about "The Rawside Of..." here.

[Metric Myspace]

[Metric Official Site]

Pre-order Fantasies here.

New Metric Concert Videos :: World Cafe Live in Philadelphia (2/17)

On Monday we posted the acoustic version of Metric's new single, "Help I'm Alive". After doing a little research, we found out Metric played a "secret show" a week and half ago at World Cafe Live in Philly. Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw (1/2 of Metric) took to the stage to play a more stripped-down show, only using an acoustic guitar and an electric piano. A local blog called The Pish Room took some amazing video of two new songs, "Gold Guns Girls" and the aforementioned "Help I'm Alive", as well as a video of a Buffalo Springfield cover entitled, "Expecting To Fly". I love this band! Watch and enjoy...

"Gold Guns Girls"

"Help I'm Alive"

"Expecting To Fly"

Metric's Fantasies is due out April 14th.

[Metric Myspace]

[Metric Official Site]

New Metric :: "Help I'm Alive" (Acoustic)

(Pic of Emily Haines by vern.)

Last month, Metric finally announced their new album, Fantasies, will be released on April 14th. Most of you have already heard a few new songs, "Gimme Sympathy" and "Help I'm Alive". Now we get to hear an acoustic version of "Help I'm Alive".

You can even download the song for free if you go to ilovemetric.com and just give them your email address.

Pitchfork also has an interview with Jimmy Shaw and Emily Haines of Metric.

[Metric Myspace]

[Metric Official Site]

Metric (finally) announces new album :: Fantasies

On April 14, 2009 METRIC will release their fourth full length studio album, Fantasies in the United States and Canada. Fans will be able to pre-order the record directly from the band starting March 2, 2009 at www.ilovemetric.com in one of several possible product configurations. Fans who pre-order the album will immediately get an MP3 of the album's first single, "Help I'm Alive" plus bonus materials exclusive to the pre-order.

METRIC made a point of taking their time with the writing process on the new album and many of the songs were road tested between recording sessions. Says guitarist Jimmy  Shaw, "We allowed this record to dictate its own process. Whatever that process was going to be, it was going to be, we were relaxed about it. The whole time I could hear the sound I wanted in my head -really big and really dreamy."  Produced by Gavin Brown and Jimmy Shaw and mixed by Grammy nominated, long time friend and collaborator John O'Mahony (Coldplay, The Strokes), the album's gilded surfaces and textural density - a mix of psychedelia, disco, electronica, punk-rock and bubblegum pop - manifest Shaw's  "dream state" vision.

The band is excited about exploring new ways of getting music out to their fans around the world and hope to be part of a new spirit of innovation in the music industry in that regard. "When we got out of our record deal we took meetings with all the usual suspects, the major labels and the big indies" explains METRIC frontwoman Emily Haines. "It was strange having some real choices for the first time in our career while also feeling like whichever deal we chose was going to end up being restrictive and force us to compromise creatively. At one point, we just said 'oh fuck it, lets gamble', took a deep breath and decided to put this record out worldwide our own way."

The best METRIC interview ever and the reason I love Emily Haines.

METRIC will embark on a headlining US tour in the month of June, exact dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fantasies Track listing:

1. Help I'm Alive
2. Sick Muse
3. Satellite Mind
4. Twilight Galaxy
5. Gold Guns Girls
6. Gimme Sympathy
7. Collect Call
8. Front Row
9. Blindness
10. Stadium Love

New Metric: "Help, I'm Alive"

Finally, we get news that Metric will be releasing a new album early next year! In the video below is a video of a new song entitled "Help, I'm Alive" (yes it will be on the new album) set to pictures of Metric. If you go to Metric's website you can see a video of Emily Haines talking about her life, new record.

Metric will be touring Canada for the rest of 2008 on the Help, I'm Alive Tour with Tokyo Police Club, The Dears, and Sebastian Grainger and the Mountains. Hopefully an Austin date will be announced in 2009. Tour dates down below.

Help, I'm Alive Tour Dates:
12/13 - Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
12/15 - Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
12/16 - Saskatoon, SK @ Sask Prarieland Ex & Trade
12/17 - Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Centre
12/19 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
12/21 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre

[Metric Myspace]
[Metric Official Website]