Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It might not come as any surprise that the world believes there are Pagans In Vegas, that they have a deliberation, a poetic coolness in which the genre of Rock can feel the buzz and electronic heart of each dime or quarter dropped into the slot, that the fascination of a stimulating chord placed into lyrics unfolds the story presented by Canadian alternative Rockers Metric and the thrill of the high roll being chased is one that makes the bands sixth album worth celebrating.

The first of two companion pieces, two twins conceived at the same time in different countries and in different ways, Pagans In Vegas leaves the listener with an upbeat association that tingles the spine and allows the feet to understand the significance of long distant writing, the brain to appreciate the sometimes split nature of performance and the dear heart to believe that whichever way music can be viewed from, as long as it’s played with passion then the sentiment and the cohesive nature will bind to it.

The quality of the material that the first delivered of the twin albums is not just good, it oozes charm and tempo, it grasps the point of making sure that the listener is not left alone with their thoughts till long after the music finishes and when the music stops, as it invariably must, the images that fill the senses are ones that burst like a firework display over the crashing waters of Niagara Falls.

Emily Haines, Jimmy Shaw, Joules Scott Key and Joshua Winstead combine to the point of the embarrassment of riches and in tracks such as the opener Lie Lie Lie, The Shade, Celebrate, For Kicks and Blind Valentine all add colour, a texture of influence and blushing shadow to the occasion of the first born’s arrival.

Pagans In Vegas is wheeled out with ceremony, there is no illusion to the music, it is strong, very real and one that will have you addicted to the sound on offer by Metric.

Ian D. Hall