The Metric System

The metric system is just one of the little things that set Canada apart from our neighbours (note the spelling) to the south. But something else is emerging, or depending on whom you talk to re-emerging, to further separate us from the Big American Media machine. Although we've had our share of cogs in this machine; the Saras, the Avrils, the Celines et al., I'm talking about a truly independant spirit, what BBC DJ Bob Harris calls a new confidence. Despite the vastness of this country, there is something familiar and uniting; like a lonely loon echoing in the wilderness. It's a tough thing to bring Canadians together, but bands like Metric are among the intrepid Habitants on the frontiers of the Canadian music expedition.

Bob Harris was recently on Sounds Like Canada reminiscing about the Cafe scene in Kensington Market in Toronto: Ian and Silvia, Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Paxton, Joni Mitchell, The Kingston Trio, and Leonard Cohen.

Today we see and hear a similar feeling; one of collaboration and community. The Montreal 'scene' for example was ignited by the earnest experimentation and diligent care towards fostering genuine creativity of the Constellation Records family; God Speed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra La La Band, Do Make Say Think, Fly Pan Am, Hanged Up, Polmo Polpo and a host of others, including various offshoots and side projects often recorded at Hotel2Tango. The Arcade Fire also recorded at Hotel2Tango and are coming off a hugely successful tour wherein they sold out the PNE Forum, accompanied by fellow Montreal buzz band Wolf Parade.

Out of Toronto come Broken Social Scene, who are here next week with their sprawling krautrock/shogazer/post-rock melee featuring Feist and Emily Haines of Metric, whom I'll get to in a minute. Broken Social Scene's Arts and Crafts label is similar to Constellation in it dedication to "friends and lovers". Indeed, there are even overlaps between the two labels. Broken Social Scene member Charles Spearin is a member of ambient jazz dronesters Do Make Say Think who are on constellation. Spearin and fellow Broken Scenester Brendan Canning teamed up with Sophie Trudeau of God Speed and A Silver Mt. Zion, and Anthony Seck of the Shalabi Effect -both on Constellation- to record the concept record Valley of the Giants, based on Michael Crichton's Westworld, and released on Arts and Crafts.

Still with me? Good. James Shaw from Metric, whom I'll get to, and Broken Social scene, recorded the new Stars, who are also on there way, for Arts and Crafts. Evan Cranley from Broken Social Scene is in Stars. Stars=good. Other BSS projects include Jason Collet in the band Jason Collet, Andrew Whiteman is an Apostle of Hustle, John Crossingham is Raising the Fawn, Justin Peroff is in Junior Blue whom I've actually never heard of, Brendan Canning was/is in By Divine Right and, um, apparently Len (Steal My Sunshine). On the new BSS record, Murray Lightburn of the Dears makes an appearance. So does K-os, Jason Tait of The Weakerthans, and Julie Penner of Do Make Say Think and also The Fembots. Still there? Rad.

Metric, whom I'll get to... right now, are playing 2 Sold Out shows here to tomorrow with Arts and Crafts band The Lovely Feathers. Metric are probably the least experimental band that I've listed here, and sometimes that can be refreshing. Sometimes you just want to hear a good dance-punk anthem like Combat Girl, off of their debut Old World Underground, Where Are You Now. But for all of its synthy hooks and harmony, there is a dash of classic Canadian cynicism and subversion buried in the lyrics: "All we do is talk, sit, switch screens/As the homeland plans enemies." This tradition continues on the new record Live it Out with smug refrains like "Buy this car to drive to work/ Drive to work to pay for this car". The press release quotes Sonic Youth as influential, but Pitchfork think otherwise: "Live It Out is mired in a past-ripe '90s Pro Tools precision that edges dangerously close to Modern Rock tastelessness." But hey, that's Pitchfork, who are only a little less jaded than Vice. From all accounts it sounds like Live It Out is the band trying to do just that; just live in the moment and create your own future. I guess we'll see if they measure up. Get it? Measure up?