By Jodi Root

Anyone who was lucky enough to be amongst the sold out masses at Metric’s Chicago debut performance last evening probably had just as hard of a time as myself in believing shimmying rock goddess Emily Haines has esteem issues. As the ferocious, yet delicate Haines purred “I tremble, they’re gonna eat me alive,” the crowd did just that—although I don’t think she or the remaining three-quarters of Metric needed any help living last night as they rocked the stage at the Metro.

Haines and crew kicked the night off with a glowing, neon lit backdrop, complete with strobe light effects and various soft illumination effects. Fantasies’ “Twilight Galaxy” opened up the set, transcending the crowd to a whole new level with the track’s soft percussion, spacey synth action, and Haines’ lovely dreamesque vocals. Wasting no time at all, things turned up a notch as the popular dance anthem, “Help I’m Alive” rocked it next. Haines kicked, leapt and shimmied her tambourine with much swagger, as the layers of heavy keys, loud and echoic drum machines and sexy guitar action collided, getting the crowd to dance as if there was no tomorrow.

The soundtrack of several indie kids’ wet dreams continued with additional Fantasies’ track “Satellite Mind” and Live it Out’s “Handshakes.” It wasn’t until the completion of the rock-heavy, up-tempo rendition of “Gold Guns Girls,” that Haines began her charming, yet cheesy crowd banter, announcing their first set in Chicago. “But yeah, it’s such a trip man—a lot’s changed,” she chuckled, into her VH1 Behind the Music version of Fantasies, which had something to do with riding a bike while illegally listening to headphones—but I could be mistaken. I don’t know, her voice is so cute and soft, but not the easiest to follow when successfully downing $6 Miller Lites in party cups.

My attention wasn’t lost for long though, as the next number up was my personal fave from the new record—the latest single, “Gimme Sympathy,” which made for a total dance party, followed next with “Sick Muse.” I can’t put my finger on exactly what quality it is that draws me to Haines’ vocal style. Yes, her voice is gorgeous. Sure, she has a decent pitch. But I don’t think it’s even that. It’s almost as if her voice is somehow flat and empty, but her delivery is so effortlessly cool and crisp that the attraction is undeniable—like a modern indie version of a Siren. It definitely doesn’t hurt that she’s got such a kickass band backing her up, either. Dance pop at its best, the set consisted mostly of newer material, also including “Front Row,” and “Stadium Love.” Loyal fans were treated to some older gems, however, such as “Empty,” “Dead Disco,” and the encore tracks “Monster Hospital” (which was so OMG awesome, and I don’t throw out my OMG’s for nothin’) and “Live it Out.”

The Metro hosted one of the better dance parties I’ve attended so far this summer. A little bit of drinking, a lot of body shaking, and I would say it’s safe to say, that Miss Haines’ heart was not the only one beating like a hammer last night. Def check this Canadian indie outfit out next time they hit up your hood, you will not be disappointed.

MySpace: Metric