Metric — Grow Up And Blow Away

While those interested in Metric have probably already heard it, the group's unreleased full-length is an interesting look at their early days. Written around 2001, Grow Up And Blow Away was made when Canada's favourite dance-rock quartet were just a duo. Emily Haines and James Shaw were clearly trying to figure out just what kind of music they wanted to play, as they skip from the indie pop harmonies of the title track to the spoken-word electro of "Rock Me Now." The electronic sound that would play prominently on their future records is intact. But the absence of drummer Joules Scott-Key meant they relied heavily on drum machines, which gave them a much thinner sound. Haines' gift of melody was already in full swing, as evidenced on "Raw Sugar" and "Soft Rock Star," the latter of which is still one of the Metric's strongest cuts. It may not rock as loudly as their later work, but any fans of the band's more subtle moments would find much to love on this unearthed gem.