Pagans in Vegas
by Metric
  • Record Label: Metric
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2015
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Sep 21, 2015
    60
    This is more of a curate’s egg of an album than anything else.
  2. NOW Magazine
    Sep 16, 2015
    60
    Pagans In Vegas may not be the strongest entry in the Metric canon, but the juxtaposition of Emily Haines's robot-girl vocals and pointed lyrics with dark yet hooky melodies remains a winning combination.
  3. Pitchfork
    Sep 15, 2015
    60
    In Pagans in Vegas, humans and machines exist in a binary relationship. The reality is both more nuanced and fertile than that.
  5. Q Magazine
    Sep 14, 2015
    60
    Shiny, but oddly inert. [Oct 2015, p.111]
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  6. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2015
    60
    Pagans' first half dazzles.... The album closes with eight minutes of psedo-Vangelis twaddle. [Oct 2015, p.80]
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  7. Rolling Stone
    Sep 14, 2015
    60
    Haines' singing is sharp but worry-worn.
  8. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 16, 2015
    58
    It’s too harsh to suggest that the band are coasting, since there are once more fragments of ideas, concepts and melodies which arouse.
  9. Consequence
    Sep 15, 2015
    50
    At best, Pagans in Vegas recalls the heights that Metric once reached. Back then, they made it look easy, foreshadowing mainstream pop years in advance. They no longer sound like they can see the future, and even sometimes sound stuck in the past.
  10. Under The Radar
    Sep 14, 2015
    45
    Metric fought harder to gain the spotlight they narrowly missed, ultimately sacrificing integrity and musical wit, a choice that simultaneously dims their hooks and audience stimuli. Pagans In Vegas sees them descend one step further. [Aug-Sep 2015, p.64]
  11. No Ripcord
    Oct 5, 2015
    40
    There's a patchwork of pleasantness woven throughout.... By the time the closing tracks roll around, the album has fallen apart entirely. These instrumentals are complete afterthoughts and belong nowhere.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. EludiumQ36
    Sep 19, 2015
    6
    Sorry, this won't be a commercial success like Fantasies or Synthetica. They've experimented, tried some new things, but nothing really sticksSorry, this won't be a commercial success like Fantasies or Synthetica. They've experimented, tried some new things, but nothing really sticks or stands out. First track "Lie Lie Lie" turned me off with her annoying "hey hey hey". The following songs often have a likable chorus but the rest of the structure is disjointed. Only when I got to track 9's "Blind Valentine" did my ears perk up due to its start having a faint similarity to "Artificial Nocturne" from Synthetica, but it's listenable. Likewise "The Governess", and the final two tracks are synth-only plays with the first being upbeat and the second much more muted. Again, it's not a bad work of music art, just disappointing to me that not one song emerges as what could be a mainstream hit. I won't be adding any of its songs to my Crystal Metric (best of) playlist. However, except for track 1, they're listenable enough to play through headphones when I'm lunching or shopping.… Full Review »
  2. marcmyworks
    Jun 9, 2016
    5
    Again Metric creates another slick and synthetic release that just does not resonate with me. The production and attention to detail is onAgain Metric creates another slick and synthetic release that just does not resonate with me. The production and attention to detail is on point but there is a strong disconnect. The tracks mostly feel hollow and lack the punch of previous efforts. Download: Cascades, The Shade.… Full Review »
  3. musicforall
    Sep 29, 2015
    8
    I liked this album and where they are going. I discovered Metric with Fantasies and have since bought most of their stuff. When I listen toI liked this album and where they are going. I discovered Metric with Fantasies and have since bought most of their stuff. When I listen to their first couple of albums and compare them to Synthetic or Pagans, I see a musical trend that I really like. I haven't found many bands that get better as they go along but Metric does that. Even the album cover is reminiscent of Synthetica. Keep it up, guys!… Full Review »
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