line up 1  (1978-79)

- Duncan Browne (RIP 1993) -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards,

  synthesizers,  percussion, backing vocals

- Peter Godwin -- vocals, harmonica, sax, synthesizers, percussion

- Sean Lyons -- guitar

  supporting musicians:

- John Dearies Giblin -- bass

- Barry Husband -- backing vocals

- Graham Preskett -- violin

- Simon Phillips -- drums, percussion

  line up 2  (1979-80)

NEW - Tony Adams -- bass

- Peter Godwin -- vocals, harmonica, sax, synthesizers, percussion

NEW - John Laforge -- drums, percussion 

- Sean Lyons -- guitar

NEW - Colin Wight -- guitar (replaced Duncan Browne)

- Duncan Browne (solo effort)

- The Gliders (Sean Lyons)

- Peter Godwin (solo efforts)

- Intimate Strangers (Sean Lyons)

- Sean Lyons (solo efforts)

- Nuevo  (Peter Godwin)

- Public Zone (Tony Adams, Peter Godwin, and Sean Lyons)

- Raise the Dragon (Sean Lyons)

Genre: rock

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Metro

Company: Sire

Catalog:  SR 6041
Year: 1977

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: includes original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1704

Price: $20..00

Metro's one of those mid-to-late '70s bands that just kind of fell between the cracks - stylistically and commercially.  Featuring the talents of the late singer/guitarist Duncan Browne, singer/multi-instrumentalist Peter Godwin, and guitarist Sean Lyons (with an assist from various sessions players), these guys managed to cobble together a totally strange and enamoring mix of late inning glam rock moves, Roxy Music-styled flamboyance, and new-wave influenced decadence.  It was all wrapped up in a totally unexpected  gift for melody and commerciality.  In other words, it was the kind of album that was bound for instant oblivion, though a small collection of hardcore fans have continued to swear by the album for the last forty years.

Browne had been kicking around the music scene since the mid-'60s, recording a pair of obscure solo albums, including1968's "Give Me Take Me" and 1973's "Duncan Brown." 

In 1973 he hooked up with Godwin, the pair spending the next two years working on material.  By the time they got around to recording an album as Metro, they'd added guitarist Lyons to the line-up.   Co-produced by Peter Sames and the band, 1977's "Metro" isn't going to be for everyone.  As mentioned above, it was one of those album's that managed to fall between the musical cracks.  Too smooth and mainstream for punk fans.  Too smooth and decadent for hardcore rock fans.  Too dark and flamboyant for top-40 fans.  Add to that, the single 'Criminal World' got banned by the BBC, apprently for suggestive lyrics.  The end result was virtually nobody heard the album.  Shame.  Featuring eight original tunes, these guys had a knack for combining catchy melodies (which I'm guessing were largely written by Browne) with dark and ominous lyrics (which I'm guessing were Godwin products).   Exemplified by material like 'Criminal World' and 'Black Lace Shoulder' the collection was quite tuneful, but at the same time there was something ominous and disconcerting in these grooves.  Brian Ferry and Roxy Music without the sense of forlorn romance?  I'm not sure I can nail it, but it's one of my favorite overlooked mid-'70s albums (and you can still find cheap copies).

"Metro" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Criminal World    (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin - Sean Lyons) - 5:24

If you've ever heard 'Criminal World', it's probably a result of David Bowie's cover (as I recall it was on his "Let's Dance" album).  Even though Bowie's cover wasn't all that different from the original (he speeded the tune up), it paled in comparison to the original (my humble opinion).  Always smile around the 3:30 mark when Browne kicked in with his 'I Want You (She's So Heavy' guitar solo.  The tune was tapped as a single, but sadly the song's then-suggestive lyrics got it  banned from the airwaves.

- 1977's 'Criminal World' b/w 'Precious' (Transatlantic catalog number BIG 560)   Apparently pulled from an Italian film on English punk, YouTube has an arty  clip done for the song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKH_Tpv67Gk   rating: **** stars

2.) Precious    (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin) - 3:01

Imagine Freddie Mercury and Queen deciding to throw their lot in with the New Romantics ...  rating:*** stars

3.) Overture To Flame (instrumental)    (Duncan Browne - Sean Lyons) - 8:27

Yeah, the experimental opener wasn't real promising, but once the spacey synthesizer washes dropped off and Browne's funky guitar kicked in this became a totally different story ...   And for anyone who thought these guys were nothing more than a bunch of fey glam rockers, I suggest you check out the blazing 'Overture To Flame'.  

     Flame    (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin) - 

Seamlessly flowing from the overture to the main track, showcasing Browne's beautiful acoustic guitar, 'Flame' was a surprisingly pretty and commercial ballad.   rating: **** stars

4.) Mono Messiah    (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin) - 3:59

Wonderful, radio-friendly jangle-rock pop tune.  rating: **** stars

(side 2)
1.) Black Lace Shoulder   (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin) - 4:25

Hum, imagine Al Stewart ditching his penchant for historical narratives in favor of a slightly more kinky subject matter ("flesh to flesh and I'm rising ...") and you'd get a feel for 'Black Lace Shoulder'.    Scratchy lead violin was courtesy of Graham Preskett.  Simon Phililips provided the killer drums.     rating: *** stars

2.) Paris   (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin - Sean Lyons) - 3:15

Opening up with some of Browne's classically inspired acoustic guitar, I'm guessing the bouncy 'Paris' was inspired by the time the Browne and Godwin spent in the city working on the material that ended up on the debut album.   One of the album's sweetest and most commercial tunes, this one sounded a bit like a good 10cc tune.   rating: **** stars

3.) One Way Night   (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin) - 5:50

With Godwin singing in a lower than usual register (he actually sounded a bit like Browne), 'One Way Night' was an okay, pseudo-cabaret-styled ballad.   Pretty keyboard based melody with some dark and ominous lyrics that's always reminded me a bit of "Blue Moves" era Elton John - not necessarily a good thing.   rating: ** stars

4.) Jade   (Duncan Browne - Peter Godwin - Sean Lyons)  - 4:40

Nice, sweet melodic pop tune with lyrics that probably weren't PC-17.   rating: *** stars

Browne subsequently quit Metro, returning to a solo career.  Sadly Browne was only 46 when he died of liver cancer in May, 1993.

Godwin continued the Metro nameplate, recording two more albums, before striking out with a solo career.