Emily Haines is an artist who defies categorization. The Metric frontwoman and part-time singer of Broken Social Scene released her first solo album, "Knives Don't Have Your Back," on Grönland Records in spring 2007. The CD was written and recorded over the past four years in Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto and New York. It features contributions from such notables as Scott Minor of Sparklehorse, Justin Peroff of Broken Social Scene, Evan Cranley of Stars and bandmate Jimmy Shaw of Metric. In contrast to the fat, danceable sound of Metric, "Knives Don't Have Your Back" is an intimate and subtle collection of delicate melodies, often accompanied by piano, carried by soft string and brass arrangements.

Knives is cinematic, with its ethereal piano lines and touches of strings and horns. Most impressive though is her voice, which is clean and full and breathy – it stands alone.

The Fader

The Toronto-based band members of Metric made their way into the music business the good old-fashioned way: years of songwriting, recording and playing live laid the foundation for their success story.

Their journey has taken them all over the world and wherever they have been they have left fans and critics impressed. The band opened for the Rolling Stones twice at Madison Square Garden last year and performed at the prestigious Coachella Festival as well as the two most important English festivals in Leeds and Reading. These experiences and successes reflect the exuberant, outward-looking side of Haines' artistic output, while her solo ambitions, album and intimate live concerts reveal her introspective, personal side.

Haines' most stirring vocal performances to date…Knives starkly places Haines' vulnerabilities on view. It's a brave move that trumps her usual combative cleverness with Metric.

Pitchfork Media

It took a long time until the decision was made to release a solo album. Haines says: “When I was a little kid. I would creep downstairs to the piano and write rudimentary songs about imaginary places. I'm told the first song I ever wrote was a love song to a cranberry tree. I always used the mute pedal. I hated the idea of anyone hearing me. Everywhere I've lived while working with Metric, I've written songs on the piano and played them for no one. On the advice of a friend, I decided I'd better start recording them before they were forgotten. Four meandering years later I ended up with this collection of songs featuring a few of my favorite people, a group I call The Soft Skeleton.”