mp3reactor

Metric
Grow Up and Blow Away
Release Date: June 26, 2007
Label: Last Gang Records

Tracklist
1. Grow Up And Blow Away (4:13)
2. Hardwire (4:41)
3. Rock Me Now (3:51)
4. The Twist (3:36)
5. On The Sly (3:58)
6. Soft Rock Star (4:00)
7. Raw Sugar (3:38)
8. White Gold (4:09)
9. London Halflife (2:41)
10. Soft Rock Star (Jimmy vs. Joe Mix) (4:23)

** UPDATED **

Links
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Pitchfork
This album, Metric's lost debut of sorts, gives us a chance to get to know them more intimately-- as a charming singer/songwriterly band poised to arrive a little too late for the 1990s alterna-rock boom, when they would have fit in snugly with bubble-poppers, like Letters to Cleo, and scorers of imaginary films, like Self. While both of Metric's official LPs, 2003's Old World Underground, Where are You Now? and 2005's Live it Out were met with a generally favorable critical reception (the latter was nominated for the Polaris Prize and the Juno), the negative responses often took the band to task for bloat and clutter.

Grow Up and Blow Away was recorded between 1999 and 2001, and was meant to be Metric's debut LP, but it got lost in the shuffle when their label, Reckless Records, was purchased by Rykodisc. The album has been available on the internet for years, but this marks its first hard release, and it showcases Metric as a two-piece, before bassist Josh Winstead and drummer Joules Scott-Key became permanent members. As such, there's less leeway for clutter, and Haines' arresting songwriting (not to mention her fertile rapport with Shaw) shines through. The album is fully a product of Metric's signature style, where electro-pop, trip-hop, and good old indie rock underpin Haines' effortless charisma. Despite its textural richness, it's feather-light; it's also comely and stylish. In fact, Metric's neophyte effort might be their best.

Previously
* Emily Haines - Knives Don't Have Your Back (2007)