I haven’t been doing this series for that long, but already it feels overdue to post a song by my past, present, and future favourite band: Toronto’s own Metric.
I had a hell of a time trying to decide which song to post. Metric has a pretty broad library, and they’ve changed their sound several times over the years, so it’s pretty much impossible to find a single song to sum them up.
I decided it would be a good idea to post a live performance, because at least then I could showcase the glorious weirdness that is Emily Haines. And if I’m going to post something live, Hustle Rose is the obvious choice.
It’s funny. I never liked the album version of Hustle Rose that much. It’s one of the few Metric songs I can’t muster much enthusiasm for. But the live version? The live version is something special.
The live version and the studio version aren’t even that different, really. There’s just something about the song that needs to be performed live to make it work.
Can’t feel anything; my dreams are so tight. Why wouldn’t I STAND IN LINE TONIGHT?!?
Superior Realities 
I love Metric! One of my all-time favorite bands. I actually just went to see Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton live last week. It was really, really cool. Metric is awesome live too of course! Good choice for song of the month!
Cool. I don’t pay as much attention to Emily’s solo stuff as I maybe should. As much as I love how dark she can be (the really depressing Grow Up and Blow Away stuff is my favourite version of Metric), I find her solo stuff is so crushingly bleak even I have a hard time with it. I mean, it’s excellent, but it’s not fun, you know? That’s sort of what makes Metric special. Her style is so heavy, and Jimmy’s is so light. Together, they’re perfect.
And yes, Metric is amazing live. I’ve seen them four times now (though I wasn’t at the show linked in this post). I got to shake Emily’s hand at the last one. Best day ever.