Metropole
The Lawrence Arms · 2014
34 min · 12 tracks · punk rock
A vibrant blend of melodic punk energy and introspective lyricism, capturing the complexity of urban life in a modern world.
Top tracks — play these first
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Seventeener (17th and 37th) — This track encapsulates the album's essence with its driving rhythm and reflective lyrics about the passage of time and lost youth, making it relatable for many listeners.
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The YMCA Down the Street From the Clinic — Combining poignant storytelling with catchy melodies, this song vividly portrays urban life and personal struggles, representing the band's lyrical strengths.
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Beautiful Things — This track stands out with its heartfelt exploration of finding solace in everyday beauty amidst chaos, showcasing the emotional range present in the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends melodic punk energy with introspective lyrics, showcasing thematic depth and solid cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Lyrically, the album features recurring themes of urban life and introspection, with several tracks employing vivid imagery.
- The instrumentation often includes layered guitar melodies that complement the vocal harmonies, creating a rich sound texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- short bursts of melodic energy
- introspective lyrics with punch
- for casual gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer lengthy, sprawling epics
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Metropole is The Lawrence Arms' sixth studio album and their first after a four-year hiatus following their previous album, Cocktails & Dreams. This period marked a return to form as they sought to rejuvenate their sound while addressing themes of nostalgia and urban disillusionment.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alkaline Trio· Against Me!· The Menzingers
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You Are Here
The chorus shifts in tone, emphasizing an urgent call to acknowledge one's current situation while contrasting it with longing for escape.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Chilean District 1:23
- 2 You Are Here 2:45
- 3 Hickey Avenue 3:33
- 4 Seventeener (17th and 37th) 2:46
- 5 Beautiful Things 3:03
- 6 Acheron River 3:28
- 7 Metropole 2:57
- 8 Drunk Tweets 1:25
- 9 The YMCA Down the Street From the Clinic 3:50
- 10 Never Fade Away 2:02
- 11 Paradise Shitty 4:18
- 12 October Blood 3:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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