Knives Don't Have Your Back
by Emily Haines
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26

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  1. MarkK
    Oct 6, 2006
    4
    I'm a fan of Metric, so naturally, I'm a fan of Emily Haines' voice and lyrics. However, I'm not a huge fan of pedestrian, same-soundy albums. Besides a few shimmer moments ("Out Hell", "Reading In Bed" & "Doctor Blind") the album never really gets moving. After a few tracks the songs blur together due to their staggering sameness. The entirely basic piano I'm a fan of Metric, so naturally, I'm a fan of Emily Haines' voice and lyrics. However, I'm not a huge fan of pedestrian, same-soundy albums. Besides a few shimmer moments ("Out Hell", "Reading In Bed" & "Doctor Blind") the album never really gets moving. After a few tracks the songs blur together due to their staggering sameness. The entirely basic piano arrangements, the vocals, strings are so indifferent on each track that "Knives Don't Have You Back" could be considered a single, albeit, long song. Disappointing debut.… Expand
  2. GeorgeL
    Sep 26, 2006
    4
    progressively worse since Metric's debut album. This is so self-indulgent I feel embarrassed for her listening to it.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Alternative Press
    80
    Knives Don't Have Your Back is like the soundtrack to an excellent Alfred Hitchcock film. [Oct 2006, p.200]
  2. Lost At Sea
    85
    The songs are emotive, and yet have catchy hooks; they are at times unrestrained and at others, calculated.
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  3. Pitchfork
    73
    etric's clunky riffage and hi-hat beats are replaced by simple piano figures and subtle adornments (strings, feedback, breathing organ) that draw out Haines' most stirring vocal performances to date, and the muted milieu highlights her natural, sensuous whisper, lending a sympathetic thrust to these broken-down anthems for a thirtysomething girl.
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