Now Morgan Geist may be a genius in my book, but what exactly is the big deal about Metro Area? How did it even get into the year end lists?
Its unoffensive, expertly produced chic-dance floor music for people who don't want to sweat. Why does this make people rate it so highly?
― Nik (Nik), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 01:32 (twenty-three years ago)
― Nik (Nik), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 01:35 (twenty-three years ago)
― simon 803 (simon 803), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 01:48 (twenty-three years ago)
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 8 January 2003 02:01 (twenty-three years ago)
― Nik (Nik), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 02:04 (twenty-three years ago)
― simon 803 (simon 803), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 02:06 (twenty-three years ago)
― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 02:19 (twenty-three years ago)
― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 10:59 (twenty-three years ago)
― michael wells (michael w.), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 11:54 (twenty-three years ago)
I'd rather to that stupid Iio song.
― Vic (Vic), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 13:39 (twenty-three years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 14:58 (twenty-three years ago)
I think if the album had dropped 18 months ago your impression would be very different, especially if you are/were a dance music obsessive. When those 12"s dropped they were something very special. They were "12 inch of the year" caliber releases when they were new. Perhaps a bit of the sheen has faded over the last few months, especially after all the press they did.
When those records hit the streets they were the shit, still haven’t bothered to buy the album. Not sure I will, either.
― Mike Taylor (mjt), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 20:55 (twenty-three years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 8 January 2003 22:33 (twenty-three years ago)
each track also sounds a bit like they have taken 2 or 3 half finished things and slapped them together.
― Savin All My Love 4 u (Savin 4ll my (heart) 4u), Thursday, 9 January 2003 05:10 (twenty-three years ago)
I'd much rather dance albums that are just a collection of club aimed / based releases, instead of huge sprawling ideas albums that meander through dancefloor styles....
...but even so, guess I missed the initial Metro Area hype, yet can't help feeling that if these tracks were presented in a series back then, I would have been scratching my head at some point about the point...
But "Muira" and 1 other track are down right essential. And Morgan Geist rules.
― Nik (Nik), Sunday, 12 January 2003 02:57 (twenty-three years ago)
― Ronan (Ronan), Sunday, 12 January 2003 22:02 (twenty-three years ago)
― matt2 (matt2), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 16:05 (twenty years ago)
― midi sanskrit (sanskrit), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 18:28 (twenty years ago)
― nique (nique), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 18:41 (twenty years ago)
I couldn't help but feel that these tracks, with very few exceptions, were UN-classics for a reason. They're, uh ... boring. I'm not being lazy, I just think that's the truth. I mean, anybody can walk into a record store, look for unknown records on West End, Emergency, Profile, Unidisc, TSR, or whatever ... is it really that great? I don't think so.
Although, it does predate Lindstrom who kinda takes the whole Metro Area thing and runs into a big cloud of psychedelia. You know ... stripped down, half tempo prog-disco.
But, not to sound cheesy, but the track with Erlend Oye is my favorite Morgan Geist production by far ... and I don't even really care for Mr. Oye's vocals.
― Cameron Octigan (Cameron Octigan), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 20:07 (twenty years ago)
― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 20:22 (twenty years ago)
― Cameron Octigan (Cameron Octigan), Wednesday, 15 February 2006 20:44 (twenty years ago)
― nc, Thursday, 2 March 2006 05:21 (twenty years ago)
He's a great producer, and I do like several Metro Area tracks quite a bit ... this was just boring to me. I mean ... I realize that they weren't HIS tracks, but if I went to his house to listen to records I'd be bummed out if that was the best shit he had within that genre.
Like the post above my last one said ... ones he could buy rights for, etc. I realize it's limited, and it's not like "Unclassics: Best of Morgan Geist's Influences," but I was just bored.
My personal opinion.
Morgan Geist = goodUnclassics = pretty "eh ..." for all the attention it has gotten.
― Cameron Octigan (Cameron Octigan), Thursday, 2 March 2006 05:29 (twenty years ago)
― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 05:40 (twenty years ago)
p.s. thanks for not yelling at me. haha. i was scared somebody was going to lampoon me.
― Cameron Octigan (Cameron Octigan), Thursday, 2 March 2006 05:42 (twenty years ago)
metro area goes from alternatively making me slightly dully tap my feet to make me swoon, in a sexy smoove dance smile-a-thon
― ambrose (ambrose), Thursday, 2 March 2006 10:52 (twenty years ago)
― gaseous (gaseous), Friday, 28 April 2006 16:29 (twenty years ago)
― matt2 (matt2), Monday, 1 May 2006 16:04 (twenty years ago)
Anyone know what's up with Metro Area these days? Dan Selzer?
― admrl, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 18:31 (eighteen years ago)
Metro Area 7 is out soon on Environ...
― BATTAGS, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 18:34 (eighteen years ago)
that took a while
― admrl, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 18:35 (eighteen years ago)
Metro Area 7 will be a triple gatefold and when you open it up there's a pop-up cartoon drawing of Morgan and Darshan.
― dan selzer, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 19:21 (eighteen years ago)
someone should do a gatefold with one of those little plastic tinny music-playing gadgets they put in greeting cards that plays the song!!
― s1ocki, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 19:23 (eighteen years ago)
Has Morgan Geist released a full album since "Driving Memoirs"? That album is OK, but a bit too pre-electro to be as great as that Erlend Øye song.
― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 20:10 (eighteen years ago)
pre-electro?
do you mean post-electro? or pre-electro revival? I'm confused.
― dan selzer, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 20:35 (eighteen years ago)
baby oliver's stuff is hot. i dunno who he is, assumed name maybe? 'primetime' is great and i like the new one, 'shotcallin'
― jaime, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 20:36 (eighteen years ago)
most people are guessing Baby Oliver is Morgan Geist. i like the new one a little less, but i've only played it once so far. maybe it'll grow on me.
Metro Area 7 soundclips over at flexx.be!
― one time, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 21:10 (eighteen years ago)
and it has vocals!
"This release finds Metro Area continuing on their quest for fresh sounds and timeless production, expanding the compositional palette while retaining the emotional spirit of their early influences. Metro Area have pushed themselves to once again make heartfelt, personal music that stands out from what the rest of the dance music pack is doing and the duo feel this EP is their strongest work since the release of their 2002 self-titled album. "Read My Mind" is the first full-on vocal track to actually be released by Metro Area (they had amassed a small catalog of unreleased vocal tracks since starting the project). Featuring the incredible pipes of Philip Owusu (of Ubiquity Records' Owusu & Hannibal), "Read My Mind" is a dynamic boogie romp full of contrast: sweet yet meloncholy, warm yet raw. It hearkens back to the days where songwriting and arrangement still had a place in dance music and we hope you'll love it. And for the beat purists, there's an irresistible "RMM Special Dub" version - perfect for doubles! Flipping to the B-side yields "Erodyne" - an incredible space-disco epic that rocks time and space, looking forward with angular arpeggiated riffs and futurist moods while anchored by an undeniably D.I.S.C.O. groove."
― one time, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 21:15 (eighteen years ago)
Pre-electro revival. By Morgan Geist's 1997 debut, it was still all about techno.
― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 23:30 (eighteen years ago)
the vocal on the new metro area makes my flesh crawl.
baby oliver rules. "primetime" was mega and "shotcaller" is close on its heels.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 23 October 2007 23:33 (eighteen years ago)
but geir...electro-revival was in full swing when Morgan's techno records were coming out. The influence on Metro Area has more to do with disco and boogie and a dash of new wave.
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 04:14 (eighteen years ago)
the string hits on "feelings 2" are insane! and the rest of the stuff sounds a LOT like "the driving memoirs"-era geist
― moonship journey to baja, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 04:39 (eighteen years ago)
Is that a good or bad flesh crawl stirmonster? Those sould clips sound delicious to me. I also love the Baby Oliver releases.
― matt2, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 18:56 (eighteen years ago)
Oooh, I am loving the clip of "Read My Mind."
― jaymc, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 19:02 (eighteen years ago)
Yeah, the production sounds just immaculate, and that's from a sound clip on ear buds.
― matt2, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 19:06 (eighteen years ago)
i have been listening to the kelley polar lp a lot lately. is he on this new release?
― tricky, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 20:44 (eighteen years ago)
i love the phrase neurotic nu-romantics
― tricky, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 20:51 (eighteen years ago)
Metro Area 7 is on iTunes today. The A-side ("Read My Mind") is a vocal track, unusually enough. Can't download it yet, though, since I'm getting an error message whenever I try to check out. Goddammit.
― Telephone thing, Monday, 12 November 2007 14:28 (eighteen years ago)
Yay! iTunes Plus! It's working for me...
― BleepBot, Monday, 12 November 2007 16:15 (eighteen years ago)
"I've been obessively this magical Metro Area live mix from Pittsburgh in 2004. I wish I had a tracklist for the damn this; it's perfect!
-- gaseous (gaseous)"
yeah, where did you find that? that set was awesome, i was one of maybe 20 people in attendance. in fact, when they drop citispeak "don't need your handouts" that was at my request! i can ID many of the tracks on there, if anyone still needs it. a hell of a set!
also, i cant imagine all the criticism of their LP or their EPs that was happening earlier in the thread. that is just complete craziness, i cant think of any MA tracks that i dont like and many of them are classic dancefloor joints in pittsburgh (along with the "moves" and "super" EPs by morgan from the same time period as the first MA records). those are all what i would call classic house records to this day. sure, they owe alot to dub mixes on West End, Prelude, and Emergency, but how is that a bad thing?!?!
― pipecock, Monday, 12 November 2007 16:49 (eighteen years ago)
there's a <a href="http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=4888">review</a> up at Resident Advisor. is the vinyl out yet? i was in Amoeba today and completely forgot to look!
― one time, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 02:38 (eighteen years ago)
(whoops.) i still haven't listened to the clips. i'm waiting to get the 12 home and hear it in it's full glory. guess i'll check the store tomorrow..
― one time, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 02:40 (eighteen years ago)
if you're looking in SF, it'll be a week for the vinyl.
― BATTAGS, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 05:48 (eighteen years ago)
i've got mp3's and have been rocking this nonstop for a week now, 'erodyne' is so sublime, and the vocals on 'read my mind' are like butter!
― BATTAGS, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 05:49 (eighteen years ago)
http://acuterecords.com/BAR_MITZVAH.mp3
― dan selzer, Thursday, 28 February 2008 00:40 (eighteen years ago)
i recognize that voice and that song.. i will be there.
― speculator, Thursday, 28 February 2008 15:49 (eighteen years ago)
for those keeping score...the song in that promo was chopped out of one of speculator's world famous EVR radio sets...
― dan selzer, Thursday, 28 February 2008 16:41 (eighteen years ago)
That's great, Dan! I'm really excited for Saturday...
― BleepBot, Thursday, 28 February 2008 16:44 (eighteen years ago)
and the voice is the world famous tedward..
― speculator, Thursday, 28 February 2008 18:25 (eighteen years ago)
anyone heard the unclassics mix yet?
― Preview of the Matrix 12, Thursday, 28 February 2008 19:44 (eighteen years ago)
is there a new one?
― s1ocki, Thursday, 28 February 2008 19:57 (eighteen years ago)
metro area fabric mix! looks good
01 Babla's Disco Sensation - Ghar Aya Mera Pardesi (Intro)02 World Premiere - Share the Night (Breakdown Mix)03 Ministry - Work for Love (Dub Mix)04 The Disco Four - Move to the Groove (Instrumental)05 Skratch - You Should Have Known Better (Instrumental)06 Barbara Norris - Heavy Hitter (Dub Version)07 Gary's Gang - Makin' Music (Dub Mix)08 Voyage - Souvenirs09 Five Special - Why Leave Us Alone (Long Version)10 Ray Martinez - The Natives are Restless11 Dreamhouse - I Can Feel It12 Mascara - Baja (Instrumental Dub Version)13 Play by Numbers - Cloud Nine (Ready Mix)14 Midway - Set it Out (Funky Breakdown Mix)15 Heaven 17 - Penthouse and Pavement16 Data - Blow (Remix)17 Atmosphere - Swede's Scandal18 Wiretap - X-Rated Man19 Plez - I Can't Stop (Acid Rainforest Mix)20 Baby Oliver - Feelings221 Jean Luc Ponty - Open Mind (Special Dance Mix)22 Premiere Class - Poupée Flash23 Devo - Freedom of Choice
― dmr, Friday, 3 October 2008 18:16 (seventeen years ago)
would smash
― max, Friday, 3 October 2008 18:19 (seventeen years ago)
I was going to stop my Fabric supscription, looks like i'll wait till this drops then stop it.
― Hamildan, Saturday, 4 October 2008 11:43 (seventeen years ago)
Double Night Time release party
Wed Oct 15th, 10pm, $10
Santos Party House100 Lafayette St. NYC
― dan selzer, Monday, 13 October 2008 14:39 (seventeen years ago)
oh this is where I posted that tracklist ..... was hunting for it in the other thread
13 Play by Numbers - Cloud Nine (Ready Mix)
^^^^^^ so dope
― dmr, Monday, 13 October 2008 20:55 (seventeen years ago)
sorry, party is 5 bucks, not 10.
http://www.environrecords.com/MG_FLYER2.jpg
― dan selzer, Monday, 13 October 2008 21:14 (seventeen years ago)
loooool at the intro to this... a+
― t_g, Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:18 (seventeen years ago)
(the fabric mix that is)
officially played out
― moonship journey to baja, Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:38 (seventeen years ago)
?
― t_g, Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:48 (seventeen years ago)
that intro is fun exactly 1 time, then it's annoying. not as annoying as Carl Craig's intro but in the same category of annoying. it's completely fake and will be regretted by both DJ and MG in the very near future if they don't already regret doing it now. the rest of the mix is mixed very well but i just can't get into right now. maybe it will sound better when i'm craving this style/genre.
hey djhey mg!give me a motherfucking breakbeatwho'swho'swho's that gigolo on the street.....
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:06 (seventeen years ago)
this genre (80s boogie & italo revivalism) is officially played out
― moonship journey to baja, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:08 (seventeen years ago)
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:-vXFmP6NZoWmZM:http://www.challops.com/images/1.gif
― omar little, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:11 (seventeen years ago)
x-post oh ok yeah it has definitely been over-compiled lately.
i didnt find the intro went on long enough that it would get annoying, but i've just heard it for the first time so
― t_g, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:12 (seventeen years ago)
and calling the intro 'completely fake' is a bit weird
― t_g, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:13 (seventeen years ago)
not really. by 'completely fake' i mean, they weren't recording that intro live (triggering samples, playing the melodies, handclaps etc). so when they say, 'i like that bass, could use some girls singing....yeah ladies, clap, clap, clap' it sounds like they're directing the music when in fact, they're just reciting lines over a preexisting song, not actually playing anything or directing anything. that intro wasn't recorded live with them triggering samples as they recorded the vocals but thats what they try to pass off. thus, my comment that it's completely fake.
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:24 (seventeen years ago)
what is the point of getting on the mic at the beginning of a dj mix anyway? like i said, it's still not as bad as Carl Craig's intro to his Fabric mix.
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 23 October 2008 18:29 (seventeen years ago)
They weren't recording that intro live (triggering samples, playing the melodies, handclaps etc). so when they say, 'i like that bass, could use some girls singing....yeah ladies, clap, clap, clap' it sounds like they're directing the music when in fact, they're just reciting lines over a preexisting song
O rly???? good work, detective! ;)
it's obviously supposed to be a joke. I lolled.
― dmr, Thursday, 23 October 2008 19:35 (seventeen years ago)
vahid, i agree on the italo being played out, boogie not as much, but almost there. what's hot in the world of u?
― jaxon, Thursday, 23 October 2008 19:47 (seventeen years ago)
damn, wish I got the memo earlier! I would've sold all my italo and boogie on eBay for max bucks. Now nobody will want it because it's totally unlistenable. Metro Area definitely should have filled their fabric mix with some kind of next-level futuristic music that will influence them well into the 22nd century instead of those trendy teenybopper anthems you hear coming out of every car on the street like Poupée Flash and X-Rated Man.
― dan selzer, Thursday, 23 October 2008 20:55 (seventeen years ago)
ha. i don't mean necessarily in terms of listening or going to dance to, i was agreeing in terms of compiling
― jaxon, Thursday, 23 October 2008 21:13 (seventeen years ago)
i haven't heard the mix, so i can't comment
mix is dope
― omar little, Thursday, 23 October 2008 21:20 (seventeen years ago)
I was more responding to Vahid anyway. I don't think those particular tracks are over-comped, and fwiw, I don't think there's much wrong with including a track you like in a mix just because you like the song and how it fits in with the mix. And it's a mix, not a compilation. I've complained about comps and bootlegs that have the same songs that were on last years comps and bootlegs, but if a DJ made a mix and decided Blue Monday or I Feel Love was an appropriate inclusion, what's the harm? But in this case, it's not like these are all the same songs you've heard on tons of italo and boogie comps and mixes, right? I haven't, but maybe I haven't heard that many.
― dan selzer, Thursday, 23 October 2008 21:27 (seventeen years ago)
should have filled their fabric mix with some kind of next-level futuristic music that will influence them well into the 22nd century
yeah, like the driving memoirs.
― moonship journey to baja, Thursday, 23 October 2008 23:48 (seventeen years ago)
that's almost as old as italo-disco!
― dan selzer, Friday, 24 October 2008 03:01 (seventeen years ago)
you're almost as old as italo-disco, grandpa!
― s1ocki, Friday, 24 October 2008 03:31 (seventeen years ago)
I am older than italo-disco!
― dan selzer, Friday, 24 October 2008 12:22 (seventeen years ago)
damn this is so good
http://www.lagasta.com/storm-queen-look-right-through/
― jaxon, Friday, 22 October 2010 17:12 (fifteen years ago)
YES
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Friday, 22 October 2010 17:21 (fifteen years ago)
^^so this song from three years ago that received two posts here is going to be number one this week
i really have no idea why or how
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 16:56 (twelve years ago)
hah awesome!
― I like to think I have learnt a thing or two about music (Neil S), Wednesday, 6 November 2013 16:56 (twelve years ago)
it's the mk mix which is great and all but never superseded the original in my affections
best number one of the year anyway
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 16:59 (twelve years ago)
I suppose it bears a superficial similarity to e.g. Disclosure, perhaps the yoot have caught on to that?
― I like to think I have learnt a thing or two about music (Neil S), Wednesday, 6 November 2013 16:59 (twelve years ago)
yeah that's the bit i know, just don't know why a three-years-old tune has been revived as the vehicle for it
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 17:02 (twelve years ago)
although it's stuck with ME for three years in a way that amazing-at-the-time dance tracks often don't so i guess that's it
― lex pretend, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 17:03 (twelve years ago)
There's not much on this thread but I'm sure I've seen extensive repping for Look Right Through on ILX in the past. The MK mix is effectively a reboot in commercial terms, it's allowed the song to filter through an entirely different scene (the original would never have been playlisted on 1xtra).
This isn't exactly a new phenomenon - Let Me Be Your Fantasy had been around for like two years by the time it hit number one. It's a symbol of a British dance ecosystem that's functioning properly again. The internet helps as well, it's been getting mad Shazam tags which helps the record company put weight behind it, although that may be a bit chicken/egg.
Original > MK Mix though.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 17:50 (twelve years ago)
Also factor in the worlds of disco, house and garage being closer together than they've ever been, probably.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 17:51 (twelve years ago)
I wonder does MK genuinely have a knack for hitting the UK pop zeitgeist like this or has he just got lucky twice. To my ears there's never been anything partic notable abt his stuff but that prob says more abt my ears. I think if anything the Jpdeci remix was the apex of this sound but it never did much.
― ewar woowar (or something), Wednesday, 6 November 2013 23:03 (twelve years ago)
Jpdeci = Jodeci obv
Whoa, amazing; here's hoping the UK success will spill over to other regions.
― etc, Thursday, 7 November 2013 00:03 (twelve years ago)
there is definitely a lot of Storm Queen talk on some of the rolling threads. maybe a little less on Look Right Through since it was the first one but when the other two dropped people were like NEW STORM QUEEN OMG
this hitting #1 is so cool.
― dmr, Thursday, 7 November 2013 16:36 (twelve years ago)
there was loads of talk, it was one of the biggest records of that year.
― Legitimate space tale (LocalGarda), Thursday, 7 November 2013 16:42 (twelve years ago)
I'm gonna go bat for the MK mix here, which is obviously not exactly a fully drawn and pathos-laden song in the way the original is, but is just so compulsive it doesn't matter. There's something about his organ-riff basslines that are totally magical (see also his remix of Katy B's "What Love Is Made Of").
The MK Dub is better, really, it wastes less time paying tribute to the original's structure.
― Tim F, Thursday, 7 November 2013 19:32 (twelve years ago)
Agreed about the Dub being better. I still have a lot of time for MK dubs in general. Old Murk as well. They mined a similar vein that keeps aging well. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qWXtlHuaZg
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 7 November 2013 19:39 (twelve years ago)
nice momus cameo in the new video
― nashwan, Thursday, 7 November 2013 19:43 (twelve years ago)
re: "Look Right Through" talk on ILx, from Tim's 2010 EOY thread:
It seems like there's usually at least one great storming male diva house throwback tune each year - last year, of course, was Azari & III's "Reckless With Your Love", which not only was excellent as a house tune but also was to my mind is one of the great diva-house songs, and a song that simply wouldn't make sense delivered in any other style or manner. Like a lot of music that hits me thematically as well as viscerally it's the kind of thing that makes me wish I made music. But then diva vocal house has that effect quite often, the short-circuit between surface dazzle and hidden depths so irresistible that even people who stumble on seeming superficiality elsewhere intuitively understand its logic - it's the kind of music, in short, that brings out the best in its listeners fully as much as its makers.
"Look Right Through" (produced by Morgan Geist) isn't quite as fine a song as "Reckless With Your Love", but that's an unfair comparison: "Look Right Through" is lesser only in that it seems content to be a charming, impassioned, exhortative diva anthem about unrequited desire, carefree in its classicism - though formally, of course, it's heartbroken, resentful, oddly philosophical. But these traits emerge in classicist male diva house like hereditary features, inevitable and right-seeming as your right arm. Of course who's to say that there isn't a similarly moving deeper story lurking underneath: as far as I can tell the singer shifts from a drug addict or drunkard lover to a series of one night stands to a realisation that everyone in the world takes him for granted. Shit gets pretty real in this song.
Still, in some ways "Look Right Through" is more track than song: so much of the delight of this tune inheres in its ceaseless mutation, moving restlessly from rudimentary house percussion to shimmering, shivering synth chords and noodly arpeggios and bumping bass, before a bleepy breakdown that in no way preprares you for the tune's sudden headlong plunge into booming, bottom of a well bass at the four minute mark, as the diva wails "am I a piece of glass in your mind??" From there the tune almost disintegrates into murky dub-house, before those nervous synth-chords suddenly emerge, flittering above your ears as delicately as ever. It's great dancefloor trickery, and in the club "Look Right Through" provokes ever greater displays of enthusiasm from dancers with each shifting articulation. I think part of it is sheer surprise: "Look Right Through" is so musically and performatively generous in a style that hardly requires it, you could churn out endless derivations of "Love Won't Turn Around" and everyone would lap it up, but instead Geist and his diva Damon Scott shower you with hooks and ideas like it's the last chance they'll ever get.
― Tim F, Monday, 20 December 2010 12:42 (2 years ago)
& r|t|c precog as usual:
mk dub of storm queen's 'look right through' is arguably one of the most influential cuts of the year imo but not in any way that would get attention here
― r|t|c, Thursday, 24 January 2013 15:06 (9 months ago)
― etc, Saturday, 9 November 2013 02:10 (twelve years ago)
Tim's post is OTM, especially about that "hort-circuit between surface dazzle and hidden depths", which I think is one of the major things I latch onto in overtly happy pop. Anyway,this is the best number one in recent memory.
― Project Witch (I am using your worlds), Saturday, 9 November 2013 21:18 (twelve years ago)
*short, oops, C+p error
― Project Witch (I am using your worlds), Saturday, 9 November 2013 21:19 (twelve years ago)
http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/
― dan selzer, Sunday, 10 November 2013 19:30 (twelve years ago)
Not heard MK version but original is far better than the 2 records that followed it
― cog, Sunday, 10 November 2013 19:44 (twelve years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfe2d9Yrfuc
also
― cog, Sunday, 10 November 2013 19:47 (twelve years ago)
so wrong!
big congrats to mr. geist.
― stirmonster, Sunday, 10 November 2013 19:59 (twelve years ago)
don't get this:
http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/storm-queen-scores-first-uk-number-1-with-look-right-through-2600/
it's not the OG tune that has gone to no. 1 is it? it's the MK vocal remix? what's been playlisted on R1 for weeks now? yet they're calling it "look right through" full stop?
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 10 November 2013 20:59 (twelve years ago)
Got this one cheap recently too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exaR9koGISc
― cog, Sunday, 10 November 2013 21:18 (twelve years ago)
its the MK vocal remix that gets played on the radio and that got it to number 1, if it was called look right through (MK vocal remix) it probably wouldn't have got to number 1. i really don't like this version but i'm still happy that metro area are making a pile of cash.
fwiw i think i like each original SQ track more than the last. let's make mistakes is the pinnacle.
― i lost my shoes on acid (jed_), Sunday, 10 November 2013 21:21 (twelve years ago)
2nd is my fave.
― dan selzer, Sunday, 10 November 2013 21:23 (twelve years ago)
This is hardly the first time people have conflated a successful remix with an original version (that didn't chart separately) - who bothers to specify that the version of Robin S's "Show Me Love" they like is the Stonebridge Club Version?
― Tim F, Sunday, 10 November 2013 22:19 (twelve years ago)
i wonder if defected will try to repeat the success by doing the same to the other two records?
"it goes on" is my have too.
― stirmonster, Sunday, 10 November 2013 23:04 (twelve years ago)
fave. bloody autocorrect.
I'm fully expecting Defected to commission MK mixes of one of the other two singles.
― Use your occlusion (I am using your worlds), Sunday, 10 November 2013 23:26 (twelve years ago)
if it was called look right through (MK vocal remix) it probably wouldn't have got to number 1.
What do you mean by this?
― Geoffrey Schweppes (jaymc), Monday, 11 November 2013 00:43 (twelve years ago)
large numbers of people are buying a tune not a remix. if they were buying a remix its just confusing for people and the promotional push doesn't gel with that.
― i lost my shoes on acid (jed_), Monday, 11 November 2013 00:47 (twelve years ago)
So the version that's being sold now doesn't advertise the fact that it's a remix?
― Geoffrey Schweppes (jaymc), Monday, 11 November 2013 01:42 (twelve years ago)
the one cog linked upthread one of my favorite "microhouse" tracks
― the late great, Monday, 11 November 2013 03:19 (twelve years ago)
fwiw the original is included in the remix EP, but tim's right, whether a song is the remix or not is hardly ever specified in the official chart listings (see also "professional widow")
loving this at no 1 though
― lex pretend, Monday, 11 November 2013 09:22 (twelve years ago)
Lol I remember when "professional widow" was on the charts and for some time I just assumed it was the original and was like o_O
― Tim F, Monday, 11 November 2013 09:35 (twelve years ago)
It's actually specified as (MK REMIX) on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UK_Singles_Chart_number_ones_of_the_2010s#2013
which feels needlessly pedantic
but then I'm trying to remember the last time there was a club track at #1 but primarily a remix of the original and struggling
― nashwan, Monday, 11 November 2013 10:45 (twelve years ago)
The MK Vocal Remix is the one which will be on Now 86 next week.
Eleven years ago, the first album I reviewed for Uncut was by Metro Area. Now Morgan Geist is number one. This makes me feel good.
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Monday, 11 November 2013 11:35 (twelve years ago)
credit where it's due
― gotta lol geir (NickB), Monday, 11 November 2013 11:37 (twelve years ago)
No Galleria chat yet? I think I prefer Mezzanine to Calling Card but the fan-made video for CC is a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzrFOZb8wfY
― Acting Crazy (Instrumental) (jed_), Friday, 25 September 2015 15:29 (ten years ago)
Hadn't seen that fan video, sweet! Galleria chat happened in other threads (freestyle ones?) but glad it exists & wish it'd had more traction in various EOY things considering what other 80s pastiches did.
Also, breaking news:https://twitter.com/MorganGeistNYC/status/690235600004321280
― etc, Thursday, 21 January 2016 23:05 (ten years ago)
Darshan and I put together a @Spotify playlist of some of the music that inspired each track on our @MetroAreaNYC album. Hope you enjoy it. https://t.co/0jGJUkZTfQ— Morgan Geist (@MorganGeistNYC) November 20, 2017
Fun little "album X-Ray" playlist for the Metro Area s/t - hearing the Larry Levan dub of "Somebody New" immediately after "Miura" is a penny-dropping moment.
― etc, Tuesday, 21 November 2017 00:20 (eight years ago)
could you post that playlist etc? i don't use spotify.
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Tuesday, 21 November 2017 00:41 (eight years ago)
Pretty new to Spotify myself, so found the first tool I could that converts something to plaintext:
Metro Area: Album X-RayJoin Metro Area on a journey through the music that influenced their eponymous debut album. Each Metro Area title in the tracklist is immediately followed by a sampling of songs that inspired its creation!
Metro Area - Dance ReactionGino Soccio - Try It OutBobby Thurston - You Got What It TakesDance Reaction - Disco TrainMetro Area - MiuraJamaica Girls - Somebody New (Larry Levan Dub Mix)Lipps Inc. - FunkytownEddy Grant - Living On the FrontlineMetro Area - PiñaSylvester - I Need Somebody To Love TonightKid Creole And The Coconuts - I'm A Wonderful Thing, BabyBalil - 3/4 HeartMetro Area - Square-Pattern AuraIndian Ocean - School Bell / Treehouse (Mixed with Love by Walter Gibbons)Wet - That's The Game - InstrumentalThe Human League - Only After DarkMetro Area - Machine VibesRon Trent - Morning Fever - Album EditMikki - Dance Lover - Extended MixTime Zone - WildstyleMetro Area - EvidenceMichael Wilson - Groove It to Your BodySyreeta - Can't Shake Your Love - Larry Levan MixTouchdown - Ease Your Mind - Extended MixMetro Area - AtmosphriqueDaniel Wang - Like Some Dream I Can't Stop DreamingEl Coco - Cocomotion - Single VersionNew Order - Bizarre Love Triangle - (7'' Remix Edit) [2015 Remastered Version]Metro Area - Soft HoopThe S.O.S Band - High HopesBrandi Wells - Watch Out - RemixCurtis Hairston - I Want You (All Tonight) - JM After-Session M&M MixMetro Area - Let's Get...War - GalaxyCloud One - Atmosphere StrutDebbie Deb - When I Hear MusicMetro Area - Orange AlertPrince - ControversyPal Joey - Gettin' HotStephen Duffy - Kiss Me (1985)Metro Area - StrutMr. Fingers - Can You Feel ItGayle Adams - Love FeverWest Phillips - Sucker for a Pretty Face - I'm Just aMetro Area - Caught UpKleeer - Happy MeInner Life - I'm Caught Up - In a One Night Love AffairAdvance - Take Me to the TopPeter Brown - Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me [Long Version]
― etc, Tuesday, 21 November 2017 00:54 (eight years ago)
excellent, thanks a lot!
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Tuesday, 21 November 2017 01:03 (eight years ago)
oh hell yeah
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Tuesday, 21 November 2017 01:07 (eight years ago)
Oh wow! Classic album and fascinating playlist to join it! Wish all artists made this for their albums, always love hearing the influences behind each song.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 21 November 2017 02:04 (eight years ago)
There's a nice remaster now out of the original Metro Area LP, with a cleaner sound (especially in the bass) and segues between tracks removed. No bonus tracks.
― skip, Saturday, 2 December 2017 08:28 (eight years ago)
and you can get it on cassette.
― dan selzer, Saturday, 2 December 2017 13:01 (eight years ago)
I'm ready for my Storm Queen album, Mr. Geist.
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Saturday, 2 December 2017 16:42 (eight years ago)
sometimes i think this album is the best thing that ever happened to me
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Saturday, 2 December 2017 16:46 (eight years ago)
I've been looking for a Metro Area live dj mix that I lost awhile ago... it started with Queen Samantha's "take a chance" and segued into Visual's "the music's got me"... and it's like 3 hours long, iirc? Wish I had it back.
― brimstead, Saturday, 2 December 2017 17:49 (eight years ago)
The world may be falling apart, but if you feel like buying a triple-vinyl package at this juncture may I suggest our 3LP @MetroAreaNYC repress? About 300 copies are hitting stores now. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/vaz1j5qcpH— Morgan Geist (@MorganGeistNYC) September 21, 2020
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 22 September 2020 11:12 (five years ago)
new storm queen single!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9EToZqCACI
― donna rouge, Friday, 5 February 2021 19:49 (five years ago)
wow! I'm so happy :D
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Friday, 5 February 2021 20:02 (five years ago)
although I hope this doesn't mean that Damon C. Scott is no longer part of the project.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Friday, 5 February 2021 20:06 (five years ago)
New project Au Suisse, a collaboration with Kelley Polar, second "single" up today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi7GqFRAIac
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 1 June 2022 16:56 (four years ago)
(1/3) This past weekend marked 20 years since the first release of our Metro Area album. We wanted to do something nice for the 20th anniversary, but we had already remastered and re-released the album for the 15th. So this time around, we’re doing something a bit different. pic.twitter.com/fVjSr6xQ9G— Morgan Geist (@MorganGeistNYC) October 24, 2022
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 08:19 (three years ago)
(2/3) Environ has remastered and will reissue the first four 12” records: Metro Area, Metro Area 2, Metro Area 3 and Metro Area 4. Unlike the album reissue, these include the original, extended 12” versions of all songs, including some which have never been re-released.The good news is we have the test pressings and the remastering and cuts by @mattcolton sound absolutely incredible. The bad news is the supply chain is upside down and release dates have been delayed to early 2023. But we wanted to at least announce the news this week.
The good news is we have the test pressings and the remastering and cuts by @mattcolton sound absolutely incredible. The bad news is the supply chain is upside down and release dates have been delayed to early 2023. But we wanted to at least announce the news this week.
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 08:20 (three years ago)
I had to open up 20 year old quark files in indesign to make that artwork. They were a mess.
― dan selzer, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 19:05 (three years ago)
i heard you ripped something off for that artwork ... but i don't know what. please tell us
― the late great, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 19:18 (three years ago)
late 70s/early 80s Virgin Records vinyl labels.
― dan selzer, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 19:29 (three years ago)
ahh!! in my defense, according to discogs i only have one of those (the rest have the "conjoined twins" art)
https://i.ibb.co/P115JCZ/R-14360135-1572958118-7444.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Bftz2zB/R-14360135-1572958114-5380.jpg
― the late great, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 19:37 (three years ago)
oops sorry for large img
think it was used on more new wave releases, which was very much the vibe when listening to Atmosphrique.
― dan selzer, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 19:47 (three years ago)
i am old wave, like the laurie spiegel jam
― the late great, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 20:53 (three years ago)
relistening to the s/t out of the blue today. sounds better than ever. what a classic.
― shaking babies (map), Tuesday, 19 May 2026 21:44 (three weeks ago)