With All The Luck You've Had Why Are Your Songs So Sad?

Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton/Michael Andrews, Glee Club (Studio), Birmingham, Friday June 1 2007.

Support act Michael Andrews is best known for his part in the Gary Jules cover of 'Mad World' that topped the UK charts at Christmas a few years back, which featured in his score for the 2002 cult curio Donnie Darko. During tonight's set he leaves the piano untouched for an acoustic set accompanied by Amir Yaghmai, to promote his solo album 'Hand On String'. He has a clutch of decent tunes, a lovely singing voice and a self-effacing charm that leaves one young lady in the audience unable to say anything but 'awww!' at his every utterance. And yet...surely supply exceeds demand currently when it comes to these alt.folk troubadours, so you wonder in the long run whether Mike has what it takes to live with more distinctive artistes such as Devendra and (Bonnie Prince) Billy.

A short while later, the main event arrives on stage a hooded figure, like ET with cheekbones, as Metric singer Emily Haines sits down at the piano, makes a quip about ASBOs and no doubt keeps a nervous eye out for any David Cameron types liable to leap on stage and give her a hug. While she sings the sad songs from her solo debut 'Knives Don't Have Your Back' there's a bloke sat to her left fiddling with his laptop to project images from weird art films by a cult Canadian director. Not being that familiar as yet with the album it's a creepy but intriguing preview at this change of direction from Metric's more straightforward New Wave modernism, although Emily's charisma and precise vocal delivery of vaguely unsettling lyrics remain intact from her dayjob. The result is absorbing, impressive and appetising, with 'The Lottery', 'The Maid Needs A Maid' and 'Winning' all standing out, so if you're looking for something a little bit spooky and unusual take a Haines check soon.