Former Dryads vocalist Christian Ryan has moved from his darkwave roots into more introspective -- if still moody -- territory with this debut release as Some of the Quiet. Much of the disc reminds me of the more delicate moments of Double Agent artists Class -- there's the same reverb-drenched, detached vocal style as well as the same gently folky use of technology. The tracks range from pure mood ("Shining in the Wet") to still-subdued-but-almost-pop songs like "Quarter Age", the latter of which could pass for an Erasure tune played at half-speed if not for its deadly earnest angst. It's actually my favorite song here, specifically because of this pop/angst duality. This is a sophisticated emotional tightrope to walk, and Ryan does it admirably. In addition to its 10 "standard issue" tracks, The Metamorphosis includes a bonus rendition of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane", which is the one tune on the disc I could do without. It's too languid, too lugubrious for a song that works best up-tempo. If I could draw a global comparison to Some of the Quiet (besides to Class) it would be to mid-career Depeche Mode (Black Celebration, Music for the Masses). These bands share the same dark, moody, technology-driven aesthetic but Mr. Ryan seems to win in the sincerity division.