Noise

Five thoughts: Metric at Brooklyn Bowl (February 29)

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Photo: Edison Graff
Jason Harris

1. The Canadian quartet’s physical set matched the intricacy and intrigue of the musical output. Two giant, triangular instillations shot laser light beams toward the audience, thrilling some and blinding others, and the stage filled with fog during “Twilight Galaxy.”

2. Pulling inspiration from another electro-pop outfit, Metric got all Daft Punk on “Cascades,” as James Shaw, Joshua Winstead and Joules Scott-Key wore fluorescently-lit welders masks while singer Emily Haines rocked a sheer, green cape.

Metric at Brooklyn Bowl

3. The main set’s second half was especially strong, peaking with “Gold Guns Girls” off 2009’s Fantasies and current jam “The Shade” off last year’s Pagans in Vegas. The latter saw the entire audience reach fever pitch singing along with Haines’ “I want it all/I want it all.”

4. “Breathing Underwater,” one of Metric’s most beautiful songs, was played as a dance remix with unnecessary vocal effects. Haines’ voice can carry just about any tune, and the song’s new tempo lessened its impact. It wasn’t until the band closed with an a capella sing-along that the song finally found some footing.

5. More effective: The band brought up about 20 audience members to harmonize on “Dreams So Real.” A rare instance where audience participation actually made a good song better.

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