2008 Woodie Awards
Seeing neon lights: a review of Metro Station
Ashley Johnson
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
When I popped Metro Station into my computer I immediately saw neon lights. Of course not literally, but the pop-punk/emo/electronic vibes I was getting made me think of a scene from a crazy dance club with sweaty, grinding people and simultaneously flashing neon lights. Yes, this is random, but I bet if you gave them a listen and you would see what I saw. Each song offers a different dynamic with awkwardly bouncing tempos, which is pretty much a guarantee that you should never get bored.
Despite "Kelsey" being their extremely popular single, my favorite songs on the album are "Now That We're Done" and "Control," reasons being the hooks. The choruses are so catchy that later in the day you don't realize you've been humming the tunes until one of your friends asks you to shut up.
Since the band is relatively new to the mainstream audience, I'll give you some sort of clue as to what to expect. Put together the loud, straining vocals of All American Rejects lead singer Tyson Ritter, add more than enough Hellogoodbye, just a pinch of Panic at the Disco!'s lyricism, and that makes up the bulk of Metro Station. Yet they are so much their own that the band creates a completely new sensation. They are unlike anything I've heard recently, which makes it hard to be critical of their self-titled debut album. They have gotten everything right. Their iTunes rating is four and a half out of five stars, and they've recently been recognized by Teen Vogue as their Best New Artist. How can one possibly compete with that?
The make-up of Metro Station is Mason Musso with lead vocals and guitar; Trace Cyrus, also vocals and guitar; Blake Healy on synth-beats and bass; and Anthony Improgo on drums. The band hails from Hollywood, Calif., and has a huge, almost cult-like underground fan base, which is why Metro Station has spread so quickly. Other than the more-than-occasional cheesy, emo lyric, I'm all for the band.
To learn more about Metro Station and listen to the songs mentioned above and more, check them out at their MySpace headquarters at www.myspace.com/metrostation.
Despite "Kelsey" being their extremely popular single, my favorite songs on the album are "Now That We're Done" and "Control," reasons being the hooks. The choruses are so catchy that later in the day you don't realize you've been humming the tunes until one of your friends asks you to shut up.
Since the band is relatively new to the mainstream audience, I'll give you some sort of clue as to what to expect. Put together the loud, straining vocals of All American Rejects lead singer Tyson Ritter, add more than enough Hellogoodbye, just a pinch of Panic at the Disco!'s lyricism, and that makes up the bulk of Metro Station. Yet they are so much their own that the band creates a completely new sensation. They are unlike anything I've heard recently, which makes it hard to be critical of their self-titled debut album. They have gotten everything right. Their iTunes rating is four and a half out of five stars, and they've recently been recognized by Teen Vogue as their Best New Artist. How can one possibly compete with that?
The make-up of Metro Station is Mason Musso with lead vocals and guitar; Trace Cyrus, also vocals and guitar; Blake Healy on synth-beats and bass; and Anthony Improgo on drums. The band hails from Hollywood, Calif., and has a huge, almost cult-like underground fan base, which is why Metro Station has spread so quickly. Other than the more-than-occasional cheesy, emo lyric, I'm all for the band.
To learn more about Metro Station and listen to the songs mentioned above and more, check them out at their MySpace headquarters at www.myspace.com/metrostation.
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