On the dawn of their second anniversary, Atlanta-based Metroscene prepares to fulfill the promise of their recent past with the release of their first full length L.P. First Light at Last Orders. Co-produced by the band with Russ-t Cobb, the 15-track album captures the duality of Metroscene’s sound: a dreamy melange of indie-flavored mod-pop and layered atmospherics, tied seamlessly together with seductive melodies. Thematic duality, with lyrics both swaggering and wistful, propels the album with a consistent vibe from start to finish. The idea of Metroscene began in late 1997 when singer/songwriter/guitarist John Phillips began performing songs as a solo artist that would later be recorded for Metroscene’s debut E.P. Seeing the material’s band potential, the search for like-minded musicians began, and Phillips, guitarist/songwriter Allen King and drummer Kevin Redd became bandmates soon after meeting in early 1998. Since their debut performance in February 1999, momentum has been the term most closely associated with Metroscene. Their debut disc, The Weekenders E.P., was released to critical acclaim beginning with regional press (The Atlanta Journal/Constitution, Flagpole, Creative Loafing) and later garnered international coverage in the U.K.’s MOJO. The band has had success on the airwaves too, with college stations and commercial specialty shows nationwide adding the debut E.P. to their playlists in the spring of 2000. Yet what has attracted the most attention to the band, whether at home or on the road, is Metroscene’s enthusiastic and exciting live performances, which have earned the group a reputation for being one of the best live bands in the Southeast. Metroscene captivated audiences with a lively set at Atlanta’s huge Midtown Music Festival, then continued to impress at showcases for CMJ/Atlanta and the Atlantis Music Conference, where a reviewer for Ink 19 raved, “It's difficult to ask for more than these gifted popsters have to offer. Metroscene has built itself a behemoth local following in a very short time… Metroscene has that rare combination of accessibility and credibility that demands a national forum.” First Light at Last Orders has already enthralled Atlanta critics, and the 100,000 watt college radio leader WRAS placed the advance copy in heavy rotation weeks ahead of the release. Combining edgy, mod-pop with atmospheric ambience is no easy task, but the album delivers with its irresistible mix of well crafted songs, instrumentals, and careening segues. It’s a seamless mix of a live set and studio experimentation, certain to captivate the most jaded listeners of today’s American rock radio. Allen King explains “we wanted make a record that developed a vibe we’ve been after all along,” a sound John Phillips describes as “the triumph and desperation of dreamers.” Kevin Redd and bassist B.J. Alden couldn’t be more thrilled with the finished product, which Redd describes as a “truly collaborative effort” and Alden characterizes as the “culmination of everything this band is about.” Metroscene plan a national radio and publicity campaign through The Planetary Group, as well as extensive gigging for the coming year in support of First Light at Last Orders. Come listen to the color of their dreams.