About two months ago I saw a
movie called Clean that featured a live performance of Dead Disco
by Metric. The scene was so full of energy that it practically blew my
mind and since then I have become more then a casual fan of Emily Haines.
Whether she is in Broken Social Scene or Metric everything she does commands
my attention and as it turns out her solo debut with The Soft Skeleton is no
different. Knives Don't Have Your Back is the clever title of
her brand new album and it is in pretty stark contrast to what Emily
normally gives us but nevertheless it is another high quality effort
from the multi-talented artist.
:Emily Haines And The Soft Skeleton - Doctor Blind:
I never really noticed it before but in Broken Social Scene and Metric
Emily's vocals are never really the focal point and instead are just part of
the sound. Since this is her solo album that is not the case and she
is now the center of attention, especially in tracks like this one where it
feels like it is just you, Emily, and her piano. It is amazing how you
suddenly will find yourself lost in this song, I'm not sure how Emily does
it but she lures me in without me even noticing.
:Emily
Haines And The Soft Skeleton - Our Hell:
This song is stunning and I am not sure that she could have picked anything
better to open her album. I love how it kind of feels like a stripped
down Metric song and the piano along with Emily's voice is so well done that
I just sit and marvel at how lovely it sounds. Our Hell is one
of those songs that allows for multiple listens before you even notice that
you have had the song on repeat, this really is melancholy at its best.
The album that took four years and four different cities is available now on
Last Gang Records
and take a moment to become one of Emily's many friends on
Myspace.
-
John Laird -
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