Metro Station Reviews

Loads of fun and a great summertime listen, even though it’s obviously been auto-tuned and pro-tooled within an inch of their overly manicured bangs. Trace Cyrus can’t even whisper in key, but he makes for a nice emo-boy pin-up. I almost feel too old listening to this, since it seems so obviously aimed at the tween and teenage crowds. 

Think about it – emo boys who have MySpace plays, but little practice as a live band (have you seen/heard them live?), get signed and make a record about their limited life experience. “Seventeen Forever” and “Wish We Were Older” are exactly about what the titles suggest. There’s no deeper thought here, it’s all bright, bubbly surface. It’s a step away from bubblegum pop in the sense that they’ll get alternative rock plays and festival spots.

“Shake It” is as dirty as any of the dirtiest bubblegum pop songs, but it sounds like a Neo-Wave band rediscovering the fun that is a synthesizer. Or, well, about five of them layered on top of each other at once. “California” is wistful, romantic and another Neo-Wave jam session, this time not as dirty. And “Control” sounds like what would have happened if Joy Division decided they wanted to take loads of happy pills and play for scores of teenage girls. I’m not sure if that’s an insult to Joy Division, whom I absolutely adore, or a compliment to Metro Station. You decide.

Metro Station sound like they have a lot of potential, they just need to layoff the auto-tune and pro-tools, really dig deep for their lyrics and practice in their garages more. But keep letting your keyboardist go insane, he’s great as is. 

DOWNLOAD: “Control”