Metric missteps on 5th album 'Synthetica'

Metric, “Synthetica” (Metric Music International)

Canadian rock band Metric is known to grace their albums with at least one standout song. There was “Help I'm Alive” on 2009's “Fantasies,” and on “Live It Out,” the gem was “Monster Hospital,” which was remixed by MSTRKRFT, making it a massive dance jam, too.

Unfortunately, “Synthetica” — the foursome's fifth album — doesn't seem to have an “it” track. From the opening number “Artificial Nocturne,” we are charmed by the voice of lead singer Emily Haines, but the melody blends too much with her vocals and would be better for background music. “Youth Without Youth,” the album's first single, is far more striking with its funky riff, blending nicely with Haines' honeyed tones.

“The Wanderlust” is a twinkling, dreamy song, but its guest vocals courtesy of Lou Reed make the song awkward and misplaced.

Check this out: “Clone” is beautifully mellow with its lyrics laced with melancholy and regrets, like: “It's too late in the day to tell me I'm off the path, we're already in the aftermath.”