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 Unbelievable music, but just believe. Sep 07, 2010
Bach would be proud. Bring on the Baroque and the the Goth in today's music.
A true gem Sep 01, 2010
Little by little people kept mentioning "Funeral" and by 2006 most of my friends have already talked about the greatness of Arcade Fire. I even remember my SPIN magazine featuring a picture of Win Butler with Bruce Springsteen and me thinking is he that big of an icon that he is paired next to Springsteen. So as many things when they are build up to the stratosphere its better to wait on it otherwise it wouldn't fulfill the promise made.
Anyhow I waited 5 years and I was stupid for doing so because "Funeral" delivers and does it in ways you do not expect. There are epics moments, there are sweet moments, there are rocking moments. Its a roller coaster of sounds and landscapes. In a world where every indie band uses the same chord progression, tempo, and singing style than the previous act. Arcade Fire does the almost impossible give each song its own identity and distinct feeling.
So in my humble opinion "Funeral" is one of the best recent albums to grace our ears. Just with 10 songs they made us fall in love. As a matter of fact I haven't been this excited about a band since "The Flaming Lips" and "The Eels". I can already see this crawling its way into my small but loyal selection of favorite records.
One word: amazing Aug 20, 2010
Just all in all, one of the best CD's to come out in a long time. Will appeal to a really wide ranging demographic.
Love it.
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For those who suffered many funerals Jun 15, 2010
I was shocked to read that these musicians suffered a lot of family deaths, almost all at once, that this album is inspired and dedicated to. The birth of this music comes from a very interesting place... and I dont know if thats what made it amazing and unique or that this band as a whole is bound for stardom.
The energy, the lyrics, the vocals, all of it is powerful and fun. I wasnt impressed with mabye two of the songs for being drawn out or too high pitched. But that should not deter you.
I really love the CD as a whole.
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If they don't wake you up, I don't know who will... Apr 09, 2010
Ok, so I'll start this rather honestly by stating that if it weren't for my total adoration of the film adaptation of `Where the Wild Things Are' I wouldn't have any clue who Arcade Fire was. But, thanks to the strategic placement of the flawless track `Wake Up' in the trailers for that glorious film, I was brought to a nostalgic place that moved me to pick up this album.
Finding a genre to place Arcade Fire in is hard. They seem to be a genre all their own. There is obvious rock influences here, but there is also folk and pop and an almost theatrical aspect to their music that makes it larger than life, or at least take on a life all its own.
I'll start by breaking down the `Neighborhood' tracks. There are four of them. The only one I dislike is `Laika', which is a little too abrasive for their own good. Win's vocals are not the best in the industry, but he uses them effectively on most of the tracks here. On `Laika' he abuses them and the band comes off like a garage band trying to be `hard'. It just doesn't work for me. `7 Kettles' is drastically different, creating a calming feeling almost, with a fluid serenity that calls to mind something almost ethnic (I get an Irish folk type vibe here). `Power Out' feels like controlled chaos, and I like that. The vocals are a little harsh at times, but the overall catchy flow of the track is infectious and totally lovable.
But, of the four `Neighborhood' tracks, the best is easily the opening `Tunnels'. This is the first taste we get of what this band can do, and lyrically and musically this song is stunning. I love the softness that is created with the musical arrangement (that also likes to play with some backing guitar to create a fanciful atmosphere).
These lyrics are just sublime.
The rest of the album may even be better than these four tracks. The delicacy of `Une Annee Sans Lumiere' is marvelous. It has a lullaby feel to it, one that lulls you in all the right ways. It is sincere and earnest and moving. `Crown of Love' has a seemingly theatrical tone, something almost epic in production. I get a very vintage feel from it (it defiantly has some aged influences) and the way that the track builds gradually is phenomenal.
`Haiti' is bouncy and delightful in scope and presentation.
`Rebellion' and the closing track `In the Backseat' are both stunning and very commanding. The subtle emotional resonance of the strings accompanying `In the Backseat' beautifully contrast the commercial approach taken to `Rebellion'. They are two very different yet very complimentary tracks.
A great way to close out the album.
But, what review is complete without total doting over the star track, `Wake Up'? This track is, in a word, perfect. From the intro, which rises and falls at just the right moment, to the tracks effortlessly heightened embrace of nostalgia and human enchantment, this is an unforgettable musical experience in itself. Lyrically, the track is moving and stirring and unbelievable astute, and musically it understands its themes and captures them with the swift rapturous collision of sound.
Easily one of my favorite songs of the decade.
In the end I totally recommend this album. There really isn't a low point (outside of `Laika'). Even though Win is not the most accomplished singer, he uses his vocal limitations to create a feeling of authentic emotional connection, allowing his blemishes to compliment his vision, not detract from it.
Just buy this album!
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