Fantasies

Metric | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 14, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metric Music International
• ASIN: B001SZ29NC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,140 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > New Wave
  • #31 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > General
  • #36 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Indie Rock

Editorial Reviews

Metric is a four piece band formed in NYC that has been based at various times in Toronto, Montreal, LA, and
London. Their fourth full length studio
album FANTASIES is a much anticipated
follow up to 2005's highly acclaimed LIVE IT OUT. FANTASIES was written by the band in a farmhouse outside Seattle, and by frontwoman Emily
Haines in exile in Argentina. The album was recorded at guitarist Jimmy Shaw's own Giant Studio in Toronto and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC by Grammy winner John O'Mahony (Coldplay, The Strokes). A densely textured modern mix of psychedlia, electro and rock, this album s dream like quality stays true to the band s aesthetic while venturing into more accessible musical territory. On standout track ''Gimme Sympathy'', when sharp-tongued Haines invokes the age-old existential dilemma - ''Who would you rather be: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones'' - it s because she already knows her answer: neither.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant surprise., July 16, 2009

By 

Admiral Dave "admiraldave" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fantasies (Audio CD)

I'm something of a musical gambler. If I hear a single on the radio that I like, I'll go ahead and get the whole album without previewing it. Often it turns out I only ever like the original single that hooked me, and sometimes there are one or two other good entries amid the rest of the list. Metric's "Fantasies" has turned out to be one of those rare gems that I thoroughly enjoy all the way through. In fact there are two or three tracks I think are better than the single that grabbed my attention ("Help, I'm Alive"). I highly recommend "Gimme Sympathy," "Twilight Galaxy," and "Blindness." The album ranges from mellow rock to slightly edgy, never harsh. Perfect for a quiet morning or lonely drive home.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Pleasure, June 20, 2009

By 

Jay Young (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fantasies (Audio CD)

I first heard of Metric on the podcast "Sound Opinions." The two gentlemen on the show, Jim and Greg, both gave Metric's newest album a "Buy It" rating on their "Buy it, Burn it, Trash it" scale. I liked the excerpts I heard, so I decided to download it, and I'm very glad I did. Metric has a wonderful Indie/New Wave sound that is a delight for fans of the genre. And if you're relatively unfamiliar with popular music and/or don't think you like it, I would recommend starting with Metric's "Fantasies," since it's so melodic and energetic, and will make for a good jumping-off point to explore other music of that type.

Lead singer Emily Haines and guitarist Jim Shaw are both probably best known for the cult favorite Broken Social Scene. But they both really shine in "Fantasies," which has electro-pop energy and an excellent vibe. The standout track is clearly "Gimme Sympathy." In it, Haines asks, "Who would you rather be? The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?" The implied answer is neither- the point is to get out of the need to ask yourself that kind of question. All of the songs seem to be about living outside the prescribed margins, so to speak. Haines' songwriting and singing skills and the rest of the band's musical energy combine to make this an excellent album.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Metric Makes Us Move, April 22, 2009

By 

S.G.R. Black (Denton, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasies (Audio CD)

"We're so close to something better left unknown," a line from the obvious standout track, 'Gimme Sympathy,' is probably the best way to describe Metric's lastest outing, 'Fantasies,' an album that just teeters on the brink of a breakout or breakthrough album.

Being an avid and adoring fan of 'Live it Out,' I knew I wasn't going to hear anything like it, though it would have been nice and welcoming. Still, I am pleasantly surprised and fully satisfied with 'Fantasies.' There is plenty to love, I assure you. From the BIG guitars of 'Satellite Mind' and 'Sick Muse' to the new-wave coolness of 'Gimme Sympathy' to the sister track of 'The Police and the Private' (one of my favorite songs from 'Live it Out'), 'Collect Call', in which Emily pleas, "If somebody's got soul, you've got to make them move." Other great tracks include the energetic 'Gold Gun Girls' and 'Blindness' with its climactic anthemic ending that easily puts 'Fantasies' as one of the best releases this year!

I would greatly beg to differ in calling this album "a let down," because it simply isn't. Metric is progressing. The music is tighter and the lryics are more cohesive. 'Fantasies' is quite the logical step Metric was destined to take. It's an incredibly strong album from an excitingly killer band!
****1/2