04.17.2008 Metric / The Clips

The last time Metric played a headlining show in Vancouver was about 2 years ago. In that time lead singer Emily Haines put out a solo album and the band re-released their indie album. A live DVD effort was also put forth. This night however was billed as 'Road Testing New Songs' or something to that effect. The result was mixed.

One thing that looked different was the Commodore itself. Two large projector screens look to have been installed as well as an in-house video crew. The footage was mixed on the fly and put on the screens much like it would be in a larger stadium show. This seems over kill in a smaller venue like the Commodore, but I suppose the vantage point for some areas are poorer than others.

Local indie band the Clips opened the show. As an opening band they were not bad. Their drummer interestingly enough plays in profile on the right side of the stage. Musically, they were ok. I don't know why, but if anyone has heard the extended jam that Metric used to do at the end of 'Dead Disco' a couple of years ago; thats what it reminds me of. I think I'll have to see them again to form a better opinion. They did have a decent live show.

After about half an hour, Metric stormed the stage, immediately starting off with their Freddie Mercury inspired 'Freddie'. It was also the first of a couple new songs to be played. The night's setlist consisted of old and new songs, roughly 80 minutes total. Performance-wise, the band was in top form. It was fairly evident that the band was eager to play after some time in the studio. Emily Haines, in comparison to Metric's previous Vancouver shows, was particularly talkative. Tonight's show was refreshingly full of stage banter. The last 3 times I saw Metric, I think she had a total of a minute's worth of small talk for the crowd.

The biggest disappointment about the show was that for a show that was billed as playing new songs, they only played 4 of them. Which isn't all that special relatively. I've seen the Blood Brothers play practically their entire new album during one of their similarly named tours. I believe Wolf Parade played 5-7 new songs and they didn't even announce it. The new songs that they did play were on the whole pretty good. None strayed too far from the rock synth hook Metric formula, but all were solid numbers. If anything the new songs seem to lean more towards a mainstream line than past efforts. Other notables: 'Rock Me Now' was extended with a crowd participation section. 'Calculation Theme' was nice to hear, although I prefer it without the added drums parts. 'Live It Out' was done with just Emily and guitarist James Shaw. The result was ...interesting. The night ended with another new song, Stadium Love, which was a little to crossover radio for me. However that's in line with the direction that they seem to be heading - ie: maybe they want Feist dollars.

Freddie
Poster of a Girl
Dead Disco
Cupid and Psyche
Empty
Hustle Rose
Satellite Mind
Rock Me Now
Calculation Theme
Combat Baby
Live It Out (acoustic)
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Monster Hospital
Stadium Love

$30/35 SOLD OUT