Hi Jay,

Christopher offers some great advice.

I too find playing to a metronome tricky, because the metronome feels and sounds so mechanical, and not so 'musical'. 

It is, however, a super-powerful skill to stick with and learn.

It sounds like you are making good progress, however, with playing along with more "musical" guidelines (like the full-band track). 

Have you ever tried playing with just a drum track?

It's purely percussive (like the metronome - no notes or words or chords), but it has a musical groove that can sometimes be helpful to tyr to align your playing with.

Just a thought.

All best wishes, and have fun! - Lisa