Matt 1Please Tell Me You Bought This Album In 2007 (Part 2 of 10): Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
January 9th 2008 15:17
Neon Bible has to be in your CD collection if you have any interest in current indie-rock/alternative music. Go out and get this album now if you still haven't got it. I don't give a flying Frenchman if you think it costs too much. It's worth it!
While admittedly, it takes a couple of listens to truly appreciate, the dramatic and experimental group have produced another masterpiece. Following on from the timeless Funeral was always going to be difficult, and anything too dramatic or overstated would have isolated fans. This doesn't, and instead lifts the Montreal group further into Indie-Rock Heaven.
Often sounding as though its songs are set in an old theatre, church or fairytale, Win Butler's voice becomes even darker and more engaging behind choirs, harps, organs and violins. "Keep the Car Running" feels like it has come from a different, more cheerful album but was a good choice for the band's first single. "Windowsill" sounds like it has emerged straight from Funeral while the gloomy, thunder-driven "Ocean of Noise" is as far from the first album as is served up on this release. Good bands can do politics in good songs. But only great bands can do religion in great songs, and that is what Arcade Fire do here with "Intervention" and "(Antichrist Television Blues)". "Intervention" is as moving a release as I've heard in a long, long time making similarly slow tracks "Neon Bible" and "Black Mirror" appear second-rate. "(Antichrist Television Blues)", while similar to "Rebellion (Lies)", has Springsteen-influence written all over it, though its not as obvious as The Killers' "When You Were Young". It's unlikely you'll see Win Butler sport a dodgy moustache while openly admitting to the Boss' influence either.
There is something original, dramatic and urgent about Arcade Fire and it becomes even more obvious on this album. Butler and his troupe don't gallavant about the stage like assholes, nor do they sit motionless (or emotionless) in suits, playing over-hyped and predictable guitar-driven rock. These Canadians are unpredictable. "No Cars Go" is a genuine surprise-packet at Track 10, spurred on more by the drumming and 'hey' chants rather than guitars, organs or indeed lyrics.
Undoubtedly Neon Bible is a strong album, steering away from cliche and thus becomes step two on the path to a pedestal few bands reach. Arcade Fire's next release is highly anticipated already.
The Critic's Choice = "Intervention"
While admittedly, it takes a couple of listens to truly appreciate, the dramatic and experimental group have produced another masterpiece. Following on from the timeless Funeral was always going to be difficult, and anything too dramatic or overstated would have isolated fans. This doesn't, and instead lifts the Montreal group further into Indie-Rock Heaven.
Often sounding as though its songs are set in an old theatre, church or fairytale, Win Butler's voice becomes even darker and more engaging behind choirs, harps, organs and violins. "Keep the Car Running" feels like it has come from a different, more cheerful album but was a good choice for the band's first single. "Windowsill" sounds like it has emerged straight from Funeral while the gloomy, thunder-driven "Ocean of Noise" is as far from the first album as is served up on this release. Good bands can do politics in good songs. But only great bands can do religion in great songs, and that is what Arcade Fire do here with "Intervention" and "(Antichrist Television Blues)". "Intervention" is as moving a release as I've heard in a long, long time making similarly slow tracks "Neon Bible" and "Black Mirror" appear second-rate. "(Antichrist Television Blues)", while similar to "Rebellion (Lies)", has Springsteen-influence written all over it, though its not as obvious as The Killers' "When You Were Young". It's unlikely you'll see Win Butler sport a dodgy moustache while openly admitting to the Boss' influence either.
There is something original, dramatic and urgent about Arcade Fire and it becomes even more obvious on this album. Butler and his troupe don't gallavant about the stage like assholes, nor do they sit motionless (or emotionless) in suits, playing over-hyped and predictable guitar-driven rock. These Canadians are unpredictable. "No Cars Go" is a genuine surprise-packet at Track 10, spurred on more by the drumming and 'hey' chants rather than guitars, organs or indeed lyrics.
Undoubtedly Neon Bible is a strong album, steering away from cliche and thus becomes step two on the path to a pedestal few bands reach. Arcade Fire's next release is highly anticipated already.
The Critic's Choice = "Intervention"
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