Metros - fast, modern, and... British?
The blurb that came with this CD describes The Metros as “lippy Peckham upstarts”, which I think is doing this band a disservice. Ok, so they do sound like lippy Peckham upstarts (the obligatory swear words were dropped in before the end of the first verse in current single ‘Education Pt.2’). But, don’t judge a CD by the cover, it’s not as dire or formulaic as I worried it would be. Yes, it’s indie-punk with repeated phrases and half-speaking-half-singing vocals. These guys obviously owe a debt to early eighties ska and punk bands like Madness or Ian Dury and the Blockheads, as well as current chart-toppers Arctic Monkeys. And the singer sounds a bit like Kevin Rowland from Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Not that it’s a bad thing.
And such a chavvish image belies a wicked sense of humour in the songs. ‘Live A Little’ rolls along thanks to a jaunty bass line without sounding too twee, and ‘Talk About It’ ends with a neat little rock and roll tribute that shows an unusual degree of decent musicianship. These are five songs that refuse to sit comfortably in any one genre, and that makes for a very, very interesting album sample. Swinging from ska, to rock and roll, to punk, and indie within an album is difficult enough for a lot of bands, without doing it within each song as The Metros do. The lyrics are sharp and to the point: ‘Sexual Riot’ casts a cynical eye over teenage pregnancy, contrasting the upbeat rhythm with the poignant line “aborted babies don’t get graves”. Luckily, the catchy rhythm will ensure listeners dance right through the pointed jibes at British culture. Ray Davies it ain’t, but there’s something in it.
This is a varied record that offers the rare combination of both interesting lyrics and solid musicianship without falling into the trap of trying to be too clever or self-satisfied. Even the hardened cynics of ‘modern’ music should give these guys a listen as they offer a refreshing alternative to formulaic indie chart acts. With one foot in the past and the other right up to date, The Metros are a quirky band with something to say. Told you they were lippy.