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IN REVIEW: Metric - "Formentera"

  Metric have always had somewhat of an exploratory element to their music, even as it transitioned from their spiky dance-rock/punk roots into more easily digestible directions. Never exactly shy to stretch a song out or dabble in different sounds, the revered Canadian crew has built their career out of dependably pleasant records that keep fans guessing as to what surprises may be in store. On eighth record Formentera , Metric get their biggest surprise out of the way at the outset; Doomscroller , a thunderous and inventive salvo, is kind of a microcosm for all of what makes Metric great. A thumping, slightly sinister opening builds into a propulsive, noisy dance-rock peak before a sudden, shimmering break in the chaos; the song rebuilds, explodes, and crumbles into a beautiful ballad that turns up the guitars as it reaches its conclusion. This rich, satisfying statement piece takes up ten and a half minutes but doesn't feel overstuffed or misguided in its approach. There's n...

IN REVIEW: 2018 Catch-Up Time, Part 3

(This post is a continuation from the previous two "catch-up" posts, and covers albums I didn't get around to giving a proper review to in August and September.) BLUE OCTOBER I Hope You're Happy August 17, 2018 • Up/Down Highlights  Daylight •  I Want to Come Back Home •  I Hope You're Happy Remembered by most as the one-hit wonders behind 2006's Hate Me , Blue October has soldiered on to build a small but devoted fan base and an impressive resumé; I Hope You're Happy is their ninth album, and fourth to be fully funded by crowdsourcing. It also features some sharp songwriting and tasteful pop elements that could absolutely blindside listeners who have only heard Hate Me , but longtime fans will just smile and enjoy it like they have the other eight. SLAVES Acts of Fear and Love August 17, 2018 • Virgin Highlights  Cut and Run •  Magnolia •  Chokehold Scuzzy UK duo Slaves' third album finds them trimming the fat a bit (at nine tracks, ...