Comments for Metro, Metro

Reissued: Japan: Music Scene, Inc., 1997, MSI16103, with two bonus tracks, from the single "PUBLIC ZONE": 9. Naive (vocal: Duncan Browne) 10. Innocence (vocal: Peter Godwin).

Surely, one of the pinnacles of the “disco-progressive” genre (along with Caravan’s like-minded “Cunning Stunts”), the self-titled, first Metro album has great rhythm, vibrant musical textures and startling lyrics (to say the least). The opening song, “Criminal World,” full of raucous guitar and voice-box work (by Duncan Browne) and sexually ambiguous lyrics (sneeringly delivered by Peter Godwin), was later covered by David Bowie on “Let’s Dance.” The instrumental “Overture to Flame” features some wild jamming with lots of guitar hooks (not to mention the stunning Giblin/Phillips rhythm section), then suddenly quiet passages, segueing into the snide ballad, “Flame.” “Black Lace Shoulder” with its confessions of male sexual inadequacy, set against gorgeous, weeping, Vaughan Williamsesque violin, is a standout. The Browne/Godwin collaboration lasted only for this one album (Godwin, Lyons and Preskett continued with a new wave incarnation for a few more albums) although other songs that they wrote together turned up on Browne’s solo albums. While Godwin and Browne’s vocal styles are similar, it is possible that having Godwin performing all the lead vocals allowed Browne scope to further his musical experimentation, leading to new styles that he was able to explore further on his later solo albums. Browne’s excellent keyboard work is often prominent, as well as his distinctive acoustic and, more recently discovered, electric sounds. Musical differences were cited as the reason for the split, though it was probably never meant to be a long term project, and their later careers (Browne in progressive rock and Godwin in synth.-pop) seem to bear this out. A wonderful, unique one-off. (Ian Thomas)

A Unique document of the 70''s innosence. The ultimate example of a group''s talent where 3 members together make more of it, tahn each one solo. I wonder, if there''s any tapes left of their life-performances. They did perform in paris during august/september 76. and how to get those live-recordings. One-way night is one of the best layer-build-up ballads i ever heard. Comparable with old and wise, one-u2. Still, i don''t like their second album, but duncan browne''s solowork (Deja-vu is almost being physically in paris during a beautiful yellow sun light-bathed autumn afternoon). Camino royal could have been on trick of the tail from genesis. Well i could (and should) write more about browne metro, but let me know if you received this message and a wrote a few lines inspired by his songs : In the cold light of an old winterday i lay my head to rest the words i wrote for the songs we made and brougt to you will endure my soul even when i''m not longer involved Finally the danger of night overwon and no time anymore to borrow this man stood before you in every song you listened to and lives on with no sorrow Live was worth to live and will ever be forever more

Peter Godwin: Lead & backing vocals, vocal effects & moog. Duncan Browne: Backing vocals, choirs, acoustics & electric guitars, voicebox, bass, keyboards & synthesisers, percussion. Seans Lyons: Acoustic & electric guitars. With: John Giblin: Bass. Simon Phillips: Drums & percussion. Graham Preskett: Violin on 6. Barry Husband: High vocal on 5.