Metric Synthetica

Timing can be everything. Had I heard this at another time, I might have enjoyed it a lot more. I can hear that it's a really good album, probably Metric's best. They've been on an upward trajectory. The first couple of records were spotty affairs that could connect really well in bits ( " Combat Baby" especially) but never as a whole album. Despite Punk, despite Mp3's, I'm still an Album guy. I like to have a collection of songs that not only work on their own, but also work together. Fantasies was getting closer: with about an EP's worth of strong songs, but this finally feels like an album. However, here's the twist: I heard the new Silence Is Sexy, first, and where Metric is reaching, Silence is Sexy have been. This could be a transition place between "This Ain't Hollywood" and "MODERN Antiques". So, I'm going back and listening to Silence is Sexy, instead. Metric are a good band, and "Synthetica" is a good album, but Silence is Sexy have done what Metric do best, and I think they did it better. There's no shame in being a runner up, and I'd rather listen to Emily Haines than any of the current crop of Jessie J wannabes ( and she, herself, a weak shadow of  Gwen Stefani, who was  less than a copy of Debbie Harry and Madonna) because at least Emily is trying to stay relevant, and does bad girl/ free spirit better than most. So, it's not really fair, but timing is everything.

Silence is Sexy- Modern Antiques

I've been a fan of Silence is Sexy since about 2008. That doesn't make me some kind of OG fan, but a long term fan, nonetheless. I got into them on the strength of the songs on "Everything you Should Know" which really is still a stand out in the post "New Wave Revival" European rock scene. Then came  "This Ain't Hollywood" which is still my go-to album for atmospheric pop rock- it's post punk in form, but in execution is more lush and orchestrated than what that term would imply. Since then, there has been very little new for me to hear- I don't live in Europe, so I've not been able to see them live, or anything, so coming into this new record is almost like hearing a brand new band. 

There are a few tracks that do the kind of sweeping atmospheric post punk inflected  stuff they are associated with in my mind. There are also straight up new wave tracks in the vein of Depeche Mode ( "Rain Begins to Fall" really echoes "StrangeLove") and baroque Beach boys styled retro pop ( "Holiday" and "American Life" could be lost tracks from "Smile", no doubt) with strong doses of Flaming Lips styled psychedelia, and noise rock ( "Lovely Ways to Die' is about as blown out and snarling as hardcore punk ) but really, it adds up to their own thing. Songwriting? Hell, easily equal to The New Pornographers, Decembrists, and Blitzen Trapper rolled together. Vocals? Again, Beach Boys are referenced. Musicianship? Excellent. I used to compare them to Radiohead. I think it's only Fashion that makes them a household name, and Silence is Sexy a near unknown in the States.

I don't mean any of this as hyperbole- Silence is Sexy really is one of my favorite bands, and while the sound changes with each record, I am still gladly following along as they hit the right combination between what I find familiar and what I find novel. So, a word about the title- I think while the title might be obvious, here's how I interpret it- Volume 1"MODERN Antiques" represents the more modern sound of their previous songwriting, while Volume 2 "Modern ANTIQUES" represents their newer songwriting, which reflects an older style of music- hence both are "Modern Antiques".

As added good news, they are available on Bandcamp and Amazon and CD Baby- so wherever you are, in whatever fashion you like your downloads or CDS- it's available. Seriously, I think it would only be stubborn backwardness that would prevent you from giving them a fair listen.