Ah, Metric! The band that has consistently, gloriously, and sometimes even a bit too subtly, rocked our world for decades. I’m talking about the kind of band that makes other bands take notice, silently scribble notes, and then miraculously release a song eerily similar to a Metric B-side a few years later. You know the type. I’m not naming names, but let’s just say a certain well-known music database probably needs to fact-check its ‘original composition’ credits more often.
And, there has to be a strong anti-plagiarism bill made and passed because it seems the already existing intellectual property (IP) laws through measures like the Philippine Intellectual Property Strategy (PHIPS) 2025-2030 and the Cyber Crime Anti-Dummy Act of 2025 seems to be not enough to deter or stop the most shameless, brazen and without principle musicians and bands from committing these criminal in nature acts always. Why so? It is because being original is a must, a prerequisite, it is understood, it should be honored and a sacred virtue when you are into making music and the business of music, and you can’t keep deceiving discerning casual and critical listeners anymore on who is original and who is not. I mean, C’mon, the ‘O’ in OPM means original, so be one, it’s about time.
There is a fine line between being musically inspired and influenced from plagiarizing another song, then, you would release that song as a supposed ‘original’, that alone is proof of plagiarism, especially, when you are making money of it, performing it among your set list in paid gigs/concerts/events/guestings, and even releasing a studio album with it in the track list. It is wrong, plain and simple. In 2025, plagiarism should no longer exist in OPM.
In this day and age, where everything is digital, online, and we are connected to the worldwide web, there is no escaping from eventually getting caught red-handed with plagiarism. Maybe, in previous decades (70s to early 2000s), and became emboldened to do so, pre-internet, it was so much easier, that is why so many local bands did it! And, guess what, many of them got caught eventually, but, really, as far back as 2012, you guys did it already, then when I discovered it in 2016, then many more in the succeeding years? Wow! The nerve you guys have, keep doing that!
Listeners are smart enough, more importantly, your fans, to know the difference. Why would they want to listen to your music when they would prefer to listen to the original foreign band that composed it and sang the songs you have been ripping off from? There should be a code of ethics or a sense of decency at least in all of you, because how would you feel if you were the one being plagiarized and some band was copying your life’s work in a faraway country, thinking you guys would not notice it or discover it? If you discovered it, you guys would raise hell about it! 100 percent sure if the roles were reversed, you would not sit idly by and not say anything because those are your original compositions and songs. See! It always works both ways.
Going back to my other point, then when the long arm of the law can’t convince you to stop committing wrong acts, simply because the said band or their management has not called your attention yet. The bigger question there is, why wait for that to happen? That would be a perfect example of the universal law of karma. Please don’t wait for any of that to happen. Then, when it does inevitably happen, you will suddenly play victim, try to play the blame game, and portray yourselves as ‘innocent’ all of a sudden? I have seen that happen before with a different local band. But they apologized and changed their ways afterward. However, in your case, what hypocrisy, what a double standard, and the nerve for you, when you have knowingly, intentionally, and without conscience ripped off so many of their songs for many years without mercy or restraint, despite being called out by me first in mainstream media from our side of the world, then others followed suit in music communities, circles, and groups. Hey, it is not your right to do that! Trust me, you guys will lose in any court, in any grandstanding, in any legal proceeding without question, if the foreign band discovers everything you guys plagiarized from them in their music catalog for nearly 20 years on and off and plays those songs back-to-back. You will lose. Stop already! You guys will never be their equivalent in the Philippines. Be yourselves for a change.
Anyway, I am sick and tired of discussing this. I have tried my best already. I no longer care if they get caught one day by the Canadian indie-rock band they have been plagiarizing for nearly 20 years. And enough with the ‘subtle jabs’ from my part because these musicians in a certain local band are stubborn, hard-headed posers, they are playing the ‘victim game’, and judging by the sheer number of songs they have plagiarized over the many years, seriously, realistically, logically and sensibly they don’t deserve to call themselves musicians or be in a band when much of their body of work is based on someone else’s because they are not original to begin with. You know what I mean. Gawd! The nerve of some people. It is befuddling.
Now, today, we are going to do what is called for; we’re focusing on the pure, unadulterated brilliance, unbridled artistry, and musical genius of Emily Haines and the boys (and James Shaw, of course, because what is Metric without the wizardry of James Shaw?).
Picking just five songs from their treasure trove is like choosing your favorite album, but alas, duty calls. So, here, in my humble and utterly correct opinion, are my Top 5 songs from Metric that every true music aficionado and music historian should have etched into their soul.***
1. ‘Youth Without Youth’ from the album ‘Synthetica (2012)’
This is it, folks. The absolute pinnacle. From the moment that insistent synth line grabs you by the throat, to the raw, pulsating energy that builds and builds, ‘Youth Without Youth’ is a sonic masterpiece. It’s a defiant anthem for those who refuse to let the world steal their spirit. Haines’ vocals are sharp, urgent, and perfectly capture that beautiful desperation of holding onto something vital in a world trying to make you conform, you know? The driving beat, the layered instrumentation – it’s Metric at their most potent.
2. ‘Black Sheep’ from the OST of ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)’
While most folks discovered it thanks to Scott Pilgrim, the version on Fantasies is just as good. This song is a masterclass in controlled chaos. It’s got that undeniable groove, a swagger that makes you want to strut down the street like you own the place. It’s the perfect encapsulation of that feeling of being an outsider, but a cool outsider, if you catch my drift. That guitar riff is instantly iconic, a testament to Shaw’s genius.
3. ‘Help I’m Alive’ from the album ‘Fantasies (2009)’
This song is practically a religious experience. The opening chords alone send shivers down your spine. Then Haines unleashes that incredible vocal performance – vulnerable yet powerful, singing about needing silence to regain a sense of self and the fear of letting oneself feel. It’s a raw, honest expression of the human condition, wrapped in a deceptively simple, yet utterly captivating, arrangement. It’s got that undeniable Metric magic where the lyrics cut deep, but the music lifts you.
4. ‘Gold Guns Girls’ from the album ‘Fantasies (2009)’
Okay, so this one’s a bit of a classic, a no-brainer for any serious Metric fan. It’s got that signature synth-rock punch, the kind that makes you want to stomp your feet and maybe question a few things about modern society while you’re at it. The lyrics are incisive, hinting at the seductive yet ultimately empty pursuits that often define our times. Plus, it’s just a damn catchy tune. You try getting that chorus out of your head – I dare you.
5. ‘Gimme Sympathy’ from the album ‘Fantasies (2009)’
‘Gimme Sympathy’ is Metric’s wink to the music industry and, let’s be honest, to a lot of us who’ve ever felt a bit misunderstood. The playful sarcasm in the lyrics, juxtaposed with that driving, almost danceable beat, makes it an absolute standout. It’s got that perfect blend of indie edge and pop sensibility that Metric perfected. It’s witty, it’s infectious, and it’s got a message that resonates: sometimes, you just want a little understanding, you know? There you have it, finally, I got to my Top 5 songs of Metric, my friends. Haha. Five songs that scratch the surface of Metric’s incredible catalog, yet offer a powerful glimpse into why they remain the most important, influential, and yet, unfortunately, often plagiarized Canadian indie-rock band of the last 20 years. So, go forth, listen, and remember: accept no substitutes, poor imitations, and shameless rip-offs of their songs, especially from those who seem to ‘borrow’ a little too liberally from the masters.