Funeral

The kind of music your friend listens to because a girl he likes told him she liked it.

On of the great records of this century, from the moment it breaks the silence with tunnels to the dramatic and soulful ending, this is a complete triumph.

Indie pop that’s just experimental enough to make people think they’re smart because they listen to it. There’s a cohesive, expansive sound to the record, but the songs don’t really accomplish anything, go anywhere or have any bite to them; it’s just a lot of sound that ends up being not very memorable. Didn’t get the hype when it came out. Still don’t get it now, but this might be the record that spawned a thousand imitators trying to cash in on the “indie sound”, which ultimately ruined indie rock. In that regard, “Funeral” is a fitting title, indeed.

I understand what is wrong with millennials now

Funeral is the record that awakened me to Arcade Fire and drove the long stake of their art, sentiment, & depth into my heart forever. This album is 6 strong stars out of 5 and would easily rank in my top 20 albums of the last 20 years. There is no calling out any one song, as Funeral has not one weakness of any sort, but only lavishes us with the angst and love of youth that reminds me that no matter how far away from our childhoods that we are, we can dance, sing and celebrate life amidst the pain of living. HOW is this any band's first full length album? INCREDIBLE. **On Saturday I watched the St. Paddy's SNL episode from 2018 when AF performed from their latest album and was reminded once again how epic their live performances are. When the music venues are open once again and Arcade Fire is within driving distance, I will be there celebrating life and dancing with them.

BEST. FUNERAL. EVER!!!

I think my incredibly high rating for this probably says a lot about how old I am and where I spent my formative years.

This is some of the whitest music I’ve ever heard in my life. I guess some might call this “ambitious” but I think it’s just a bit over the top and not very compelling.

The album that set the tone for Arcade Fire. The subject matter and lyrics reflect a disconnect with society. The white picket fence falling apart. The album plays with the idea of our surrounds reflected by a neighborhood. Heavy emotional subjects surrounded by big sound, organs, instruments. A full orchestra at times. The energy put forth by the band and deep connection makes it one of my favorites.

Not sure if music from this period is bad or if I just didn't like it. But I did not enjoy this one bit; bland, pretentious, and needy. The early-00s equivalent of easy listening.

Saved Prior: Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Neighborhood #2 (Laika), Neighborhood #3 (Power Out), Wake Up, Rebellion (Lies) Not Saved: 10. Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) Saved: 9. Une Annee Sans Lumiere 8. Crown of Love 7. In the Backseat 6. Neighborhood #2 (Laika) 5. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) 4. Haiti 3. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) 2. Wake Up 1. Rebellion (Lies) Overall Notes: A very very difficult album to rank 1-10. I saw these guys in concert (would highly recommend) so I'm pretty familiar with their stuff, and each song on this album brings strong musical elements to the table. Album is super nostalgic yet at the same time forward looking. Great stuff. One thing I'll say is that it's crazy that Wake Up doesn't open up the album, and the tracklist flows a little weird to me. But what do I know? 4.75 rounded up because math.

I fucking love this album so much. So much so I need to swear to emphasize the deepness of my love for it. You've probably heard half the songs from BBC montages in the past but not even they could ruin this album. Every song fits perfectly and flows to the next perfectly. Yes they are all weird arty canadians but wow. I think this might have been the first proper indie album I ever truly loved. And there's nothing like your first love. 5/5

Quintessential "indie" rock right here, and there is a particular honest charm here that I really dig throughout most of it.

It's...... alright. I didn't enjoy it, I just listened to it. It's good, but not really.

This one. This one I want to hear performed live. I want the bass to tickle the soles of my feet and rattle my ribcage. I want to dance and sweat and mouth all the words. More than many, this album feels like one piece of work, rather than a collection of songs. I've never seen Arcade Fire. I'm making all of this up. Here is my daydream: This works best in my mind if I imagine a smallish venue --- max. capac. at most 500 people, an old theater with red velvet curtains and a proscenium stage. We've got reserved seats (we are too old for general admission) in the 6th row and a warm whiskey buzz going. The first three tracks bring us in gently, but each of these rises and falls in tempo and intensity, building to a boppy finish at the end of Une année sans lumière. And THEN, Neighborhood #3 hits like a ton of bricks and we are overwhelmed with sound and light and maybe we can't breathe. Good thing Neighborhood #4 is next so we can take a minute to recover, continuing into the beginning of Crown of Love which builds some more, shifting to a crooning ballad and again to a disco finish that leads into the steady groove of the anthemic Wake Up which itself shifts to a dance party reminiscent of The Jam or Iggy Pop. Rebellion really feels like a finale. We're all on our feet, jumping to the beat in unison. It's hot. We all need water. Almost done. We know. We are elated, high on the show. Applause, clapping, stomping. We want an encore! We hear In the Backseat start before lights come up. We close our eyes, all breathing the same air. Music builds for the last time. It is too much but we don't want it to end. Instruments gradually drop out one by one. No applause at the end of this one. We exit quietly, our ears ringing, a tear in our eyes, a gentle smile on our lips.

Brilliant instrumentation and melodies are constant throughout, each song stands out for its originality. The album builds to Crown of Love and Wake Up euphoria, continuing through to Rebellion. And then before you know it the pace slows right down to a reflective finale with In The Backseat. One of the best, most sonically and lyrically unique debut albums you will ever listen to. Sounds just as fresh it would have done in 2004.

I just can't bear his weak whiny voice. Would have given it one star but I know there is far worse on this list ...

Honestly, this was very close to being a sonic masterpiece for me, but there were moments that took me out of the listening experience here and there. I think I will definitely re-visit this one and can easily see it becoming one of my favorites. From the instruments to the lyricism to the overall atmosphere, I'm pretty much sold.

It sounds like if Cage The Elephant forgot how to write catchy hooks, I enjoyed a few moments alright though. Probably won’t listen again any time soon.

I was 19 when this album came out, and obviously it felt like the most important piece of music ever recorded, as things released when you are 19 tend to do. I really resent who I was at the time so I expected to hate this, but it brings me no pleasure to announce I am incorrect and misty-eyed while listening to it in my driveway. Five stars.

I wanted to be cynical about this (probably due to his recent indiscretions) and say that on reflection they didn’t deserve the godlike indie reverence they received, but it’s just banger after banger.

Possibly my favourite album. It's hard to describe how it makes me feel without sounding pretentious, so I might as well lean into it... For me, it's like an escape into some time and place that probably never existed (between the click of the light and the start of the dream, you might say). Rustic and intimate yet also epic and ethereal. There's an earnestness to the the lyrics that lends extra power and purpose to the oh-whoa-whoa singalong bits. They come across a bit like they're preaching the views of some cult, but one whose cause I can really get behind. Laika and Power Out bring a chaotic energy, like punk if punk was invented 200 years ago in Central Europe. Tunnels might be the most romantic song I've ever heard, in some strange way. And Rebellion is the best of the lot - that string/vocal melody in the outro is one of my all-time favourite bits of music. Also, I reckon In The Backseat is their underrated masterpiece. Love that portentous guitar chord at 2:25, and the way the track diminishes to just a whisper at the end sounds like being left alone with your thoughts after everyone leaves the party, or life continuing after someone has died. Which is what I believe the song, (and most of the album), is about: life, death, and the struggle to hold onto childhood innocence as you get older. Saw it performed live once but loads of people talked over it. Ah well, it's only music innit.

I haven't listened to this album in quite a while - so it was good to have this opportunity to revisit it. On this listen the similarities to the Electric Light Orchestra stood out. The way that many of their songs have distinct, contrasting "movements" and their use or orchestral instruments and the string arrangements at times had me thinking Arcade Fire is a sort of alternative music evolution of ELO. I love the song "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)." The music and vocal performance transports me to the snow covered landscape of the song. "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)" with its shouty delivery and accordion tackles dysfunctional family dynamics and sacrificial lambs by referencing Laika, the first creature sent on a one-way trip into space. "So the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights." Incredible imagery and a great song. "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" is one of my favorite songs on the album. The xylophone is a fantastic addition to this song that starts with a power failure and goes to so many places from there… Crown of Love's" heartbreaking exploration of love and its impermanence shows the softer side of Arcade Fire, until it builds to a frenetic ending. So good. "Wake Up" is a masterpiece. 'We're just a million little gods causing rain storms turning every good thing to rust.' Wow. "Rebellion (Lies)" is a close contender for favorite song on the album. The key changes on "Every time you close your eyes" are so great. "In The Backseat" gives the lead vocals to Régine Chassagne and is a cool change to end the album on. I love the feelings evoked of just riding in the backseat... and at times her voice is very reminiscent of Björk to me - so compelling. I love this album. FUNERAL's strong underlying themes of family and community are explored with a desperation that is palpable. A fantastic debut from Arcade Fire that has more than earned its place on this list!

The more I hear from Arcade Fire, the more I love them. I was only 8 when this album came out, so I never got to hear it fully. But WOW, this record is packed with so much emotion and catharsis. Touching the subjects of death and mortality are something that artists either do very plainly because they are too general, or very deeply because they've actually experienced or thought about it in a personal moment. This album is the latter, by almost all members of the band, and they really put their heart into being expressionists. The sounds can be overwhelming and anxiety ridden - but in a beautiful way that makes sense and reflects the stages of grief we all must someday face. Favorite Song: Une Annee Sans Lumiere Least Favorite Song: Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)

Easily the most influential album of my childhood + teen years, one of my all-time favorites. No way to say how much this record means to me. Every note feels measured and intentional without losing any of the emotion behind it. And of course, I'm a sucker for a good theme. Wake Up, Tunnels, and Backseat send a chill down my spine a thousand listens later. I love you, Arcade Fire.

Perfect album.

Closer to a 4.5, but a 5 is deserved

5*..... a bona fide classic album. They never bettered this unfortunately, but what a debut!!!

I'm hard-pressed to think of this as anything other than my third-favorite Arcade Fire release. Realistically, it's probably their second-best. From both subjective and objective stances, it's an absolute icon of heart-on-sleeve indie. The quality jump from the EP is massive, and the rest of the oeuvre is built of many of the same ingredients. I find devastation, which as far as I can tell is the point, mostly at the beginning and end.

Of note: Rolling Stone’s most recent 500 Greatest Albums of All Time guide has this ranked as #500. I love the sentiment that “Funeral” is the least of the greatest albums of all time.

people that like music like this must be so fucking boring

My teenage angst. Introduction to adult themes and feelings before I had actually experienced them. Reminds me of being young and having hope for the future.

Fantastic album. Top 10 all time for me. Such a great introduction for folks to indie. 5/5

Masterpiece. Among the top 5 albums of the last 20 years. Some of the songs on here are in the all-time pantheon. I might argue Tunnels is my favorite opening track on any album, ever.

A lot of love for this album. Seems to be the most highly rate AF album, though not my favourite as a whole. Rebellion and Wake Up were such influential songs for me and are still so relevant - love them just as much today. Bunch of crazily talented people.

Still a classic.

All Killer No Filler

ok

Strange, but a nice eclectic mix. Good for making edits in my head

Quite cinematic and lush. Sweet music.

This is an album that I have listened to many times, but that I haven't listened to recently. I never really gave much thought to the lyrics of this album on previous listens, but it was really nice to go through this album with a more critical ear, and try to decipher what the lyrics mean. I thought the lyrics were an absolute homerun; I loved the themes of growing up, loss, and the evolution of familial relationships over time. This album is really beautiful as well; the arrangements are unique, and no one else in 2004 was putting out music that sounded like this (at least not that I can think of). Also, there are a few of songs on this album that are so great and massive that they stand alone on their own really well: "Neighborhood #3," "Wake Up," and "Rebellion (Lies)." Those three songs are easily the highlight of this album for me. For the longest time, "Wake Up" was my favorite track; I love its fantastic opening guitar riff, booming drums, and great synthesizer sounds that fill in the background. But eventually, "Rebellion (Lies)" took over as my favorite, and two things influenced that: 1) There was an episode of 6 Feet Under where Nate and Brenda are having an argument and this song plays in the background. As the argument escalates and intensifies, the song gets louder and more intense as well. It was just a perfect way to use it 2) Arcade Fire closed out ACL in 2011 with "Rebellion (Lies)," and the energy from that as the closing song was absolutely perfect, and it gave me a new appreciation for it. Going into this album today, I assumed it was going to be an easy five star review for me, but I don't think I love this album as much as I used to. Some of the songs are pretty boring and drag on for too long, and the production is pretty lacking as well. This is a self-produced debut album on an independent record label, and it sounds like it. The lyrics are hard to make out for most of the album, because the vocals are so drowned out by everything else, and that's a bummer, because the lyrics are great. However, this album is massive in terms of its influence. When this came out, FM radio still pretty much ruled the roost, and there was nothing like Arcade Fire being played to a wide radio audience back then (at least not that I can remember). But this album created a large fan base for Arcade Fire, showing that people were interested in this kooky band comprised of a gaggle of hipsters, and I think it helped indie rock reach a larger audience. Sometimes the critics and the masses align, and popular music scored a big win that this album was popular and also well reviewed.

Arcade Fire are so overwrought that I feel just getting up in the morning and making breakfast involves a major production number for them. Fortunately for them the songs are generally good enough to live up to the treatment, at least on this album; I first heard this when it came out and did not expect much from it (wasn't a fan of the self-titled EP that preceded it), but it actually proved to be really solid. Still is.

Mostly good songs that just roll through. When they work they're great. When they don't it just a bit indie meh

Jättebra! Men jag blir så ledsen! Men det är så bra!

Another album that took a while to grow on me, having not been familiar with it before. I didn’t grow fond of the lead vocal, though. It's a pet peeve when lyrics are unintelligible (said the crabby old person), and there's a quality of his voice that I struggle with. That said, it's because I started to like the rest of the music so much that his voice stood out so much to me. Maybe I'll get that, too, at some point. I enjoy this album more each time I listen. I like the very different musical sounds of each of the songs, and I can't really pick my favorites without listing most of them. I did have a special fondness for "In the Backseat" and the lyric "My family tree's losin' all its leaves" stabbed me a bit. It really did conjure up vivid emotion and imagery that goes with the album title.

Sounds like an indie album from the early 2000s. To be fair, this album probably popularized the sound. Big production, emotional vocals, varied instrumentation. There are some strong singles but the rest of the album feels a little same-y.

Who or what is the funeral for? The youth? They do seem a mite hung-up about the world children are being born into. Or is it the death of the 'neighbourhood'--the slightly irritating conceit for four song titles? If it was me, I'd be lamenting the last three tracks, which are all 'slow builds'--the standard indie Polyfilla when a song isn't working. Despite the band's best efforts, thoe songs expire lamely anyway. Let's assume they never figured out what their concept was and remember that, until 'Haiti' comes around, it doesn't matter. Win's vocals are absurd, falling somewhere between Bono, David Thomas and Gerard Way (did you know such a place existed?) I guess that makes him part universalist, part edge-of-nervous breakdown, and part actual breakdown. The band walks its own tightrope between lavish orchestration and thin, scratchy guitars. Those components shouldn't work but mostly do because this gazillion-piece (who clearly had stadium aspirations from the start, so "indie" my butt) knows how to rinse every last drop from a key change. The one in the Kettle chorus epitomises their whole sound. And they can write in a way that's general enough to seem relevant to everyone but specific enough to stay weird ("They say a watched pot won't ever boil / You can't raise a baby on motor oil" is a favourite). They're best when they work themselves up into a tizz. The strings at the end of Crown of Love are so hyper they could have been made specially for a football highlights package. But when these guys are peaking not even a seven-goal thriller would match the melodrama. Shame they got scared of their shadow after The Suburbs.

Middling aughts indie rock that didn’t interest me then and still doesn’t now.

#174. I listened to this yesterday, and as I'm trying to think about it now, I realize I already don't really remember what it sounds like. Arcade fire is just that memorable I guess. I'm pretty sure I remember thinking the girl kinda sounds like Björk on the last song. Not sure if that's a positive or a negative, but that's what I got. 2/5: hipster folk

There was one song I liked on this album and after listening to the entire album, I can’t remember it…

I thought it was going to be better than what it was.

Meh

If the people who invented and created recording equipment knew it was going to be (mis)used this way they would have never gone through with it. I hope they called it funeral to celebrate the end of their musical career because they realized they should have never even begun to try and make any music.

Wanted to like it more than I actually did Way too meandering Rebellion (Lies), Wake Up, and Crown of Love are the good songs

Had I been born 15 years later I might have been into these guys a lot more, although they give me definite Smashing Pumpkins vibes, and I was never keen on those guys. The vocalist has quite an annoying voice, which is directly responsible for me thinking the best song on the album by far is the final track that he doesn't sing.

Please, this is not one of the finest albums of all time

I don’t get them. I don’t get any of these “how many people can we fit on a stage? More? Give ‘em a drum” bands. If the songs were there I’d be down, but I’ve heard them for years, and listened now and found that literally none of it sticks in my mind. Gun to my head, I couldn’t name an Arcade Fire song to save my life. And I JUST listened to this album!

This album didn't move the needle for me at all. 10 tracks of background misic.

One of the best albums of that indie era

Fantastic album

Yeee, this album I reeeaaallly like and for this one it's 5 from me. :)

When i was 16 (2010) i had discovered music festivals and went to a small DIY one in the countryside. It was the second day of the festival, everyone was walking around enjoying themselves, having beers, sitting in the grass and smoking cigarettes. The sun was shining and Indeed the grass was greener back then. Everyone seemed so happy and there was some playlist playing throughout the festival. "Rebellion (lies)" came on and I thought that it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard and it made me never forget that moment. I became a huge Arcade Fire fan after. And I believe that this album is just brilliant. It is happy, it is sad, it is absolutely heartbreaking, it is hopeful and it is very beautiful!!! 5/5

Nvm just possibly the best debut Album of all time

Gosh I loved this album. I was mid twenties and wow does this represent so much of that time. I loved running to this. Then the first time I saw arcade fire perform with lcd at the Louisville waterfront. And there were like 100 people in the band on stage. I loved it. Top 5 concert

What a great album. I forgot how great it is.

Great album that takes me back to my 20s. You can feel just how big the band was.

A tremendous album from start to finish. I love everything about it.

Great album full of flavors and notes. A+

Obviously

It's very nice I like it a lot, every song here is good-great at a minimum. The only knock would be that I didn't absolutely fall in love with any single song but as a whole the album shines. Fave song: une Annee sans lumiere Least fave song: honestly don't really have one... Maybe Haiti? Idk Would I listen again: yes definitely

Played this to death when it came out and fuck off is it 20 years old??!! Then again I associate this heavily with the early years of my relationship and the long drives to work from her place, so I guess it tracks. Despite basically all of these songs peppering various playlists I've had over the years I somehow never tire of this record. It's probably because all of the influences listed in the book plus New Order (most obviously at the end of Annee Sans Lumiere and throughout Power Out) and others not mentioned, are things I love. So it stood to reason I would love this. Depressingly large numbers of this book's artists fall into the "it's a shame they're a sex pest" category. But again, good music is good music and that's all there is to it. And this is great music. I've not even really touched on why I love it so. Just been enjoying reading other people gushing. The little codas at the end of the songs - aforementioned Lumiere; The massively epic guitar riff of Wake Up disintegrates seamlessly (somehow? I mean how did they make that work?) into a motown show-stopper that's just as good. The chill tracks 7 Kettles and Haiti are wonderful growers, with little details to delight the ears and giving respite, and somehow there's still Rebellion (Lies) to come! And In the Backseat, wow. They hit these heights again with Suburbs but sadly other than that and the EP with the original No Cars Go on it, it was a classic case of diminishing returns for the band, but it was nice while it lasted. And now it's 20 years old we can be nostalgic about an album about nostalgia...

Great to be reminded of this unique indie band. Their debut album is stellar.

имба. группу знал, альбом знал, добавил еще парочку песен к себе. подойдет для роуд-трипов.

Wake Up - and listen to this Now THIS is an album. There’s a beautiful mix of gritty electrics as a base and cleaner higher parts layered on top of that. The album brings you through highs and lows, and never starts to feel stale. It has this almost cinematic and extra-musical quality to it that reminds me of Stars with a touch of the Black Keys. Favorite - Une Annee Sans Lumiere

Massively influential. I don't revisit this one anymore, but it was on repeat a decade ago. The themes are better explored on The Suburbs and it's a better album overall. I think this one has been played to death but it's still over-hated.

I can’t even put into words how fire this album was to me. The whole thing made me feel like I was gracefully floating through time to happier times. I’m running this back again & again & again & again & again… & again!

Este disco es absolutamente una locura. Sinonimo de épico, todos hits. Tip 10 discos del siglo.

What a way to make a splash on the indie scene, eh? 4.5 bumped up to 5.

Easy 5 star album. One of arcade fires best.

8,40

I was – and, it turns out, still am – the target demographic for this album. Hence: great, from start to finish.

Almost perfect

One of the greats. I could argue this is the best debut album from a Canadian act. The incredible magic trick it pulls right off the jump with Neighborhood #1 is how it starts slowly and by the climax it sounds like it’s going to fall apart any second. Sounds amazing live.

aaaaah only heard 3 songs so far but i love this so much

oh my god, this is such a rich album, so much feeeeeeeling

5/5. Quintessential indie rock album. A new wave of indie was formed from this and many albums were inspired by this one. Was excited to see it here as it was a common listen for me already. The vocals and lyrics feel relatable despite some interesting wordplay. The instrumentation is nothing to write home about but it does it's job and provides a sound that is unique and accessible. And the French vocalist provides a change in vibe that creates an album that flows really well. I really gotta stop reading the other reviews because half of them are hating on different age groups or races because of this album existing. Weird to do, nobody saying things about other races or age groups are bad because certain albums released when they were growing up sucked. I think it's best to look at an album with a perspective based off your environment and experience and not judge other people based on art you don't like. Just me though. Also, this is David Bowie's favorite band. You really going to tell Bowie he's wrong? Best Song: Rebellion (Lies), Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Wake Up

This album came out 20 years ago???? Damn, I'm getting old. This is one of my favorites, and one of the most influential indie rock albums of the century. They perfectly combine sounds, genres, instruments to create this unique sound that moves between sounding like a soundtrack, a folk album and a 80s pop record. It's all layered with this childlike / teenage nostalgic story in the background. It kind of creates this universe within the album that feels dystopian and present all at the same time. Personally, its my 4th favorite Arcade Fire record. But I still love it and revisit a few times a year. I'm grateful that I've had this piece of music in my life for the past 20 years.

I'm biased as this album has a special place in my heart already. Even 20 years later I can remember the cold evening where I heard it for the first time, and I will forever associate it with the colder months.

i love this album. not explaining myself on this, not taking any questions at this time, i just love this album so much

In the year before writing and recording their debut album, several members of the band Arcade Fire had close family members die. The songs, and the recording process of Funeral was about their mourning process, and the band's understanding of mourning and mortality. The band's ambitious project met with universal critical acclaim, and propelled the band to international stardom. Despite the serious topic, these are beautiful, melodic songs. The band utilizes rich orchestrations - with a string section and atmospheric effects - to give their songs a grandiose feel. Strong roles by both guitars and keys give their songs rich textures, and Win Butler's earnest vocals match the tone of the band's songs and style. This is an incredible debut from a group that would become one of the world's biggest bands.

This is one of those albums on this list that I can give 5* straight away. Listened to this countless times over the years and I never get tired of it. Fav tracks: Rebellion (Lies), Tunnels, Wake Up

I have many memories of listening to this album. It came out my last year in high school, but I first listened to it late in college a few years later. At the time I had heard nothing like it, and I was amazed by it. It sounded so profound, so powerful, and Wake Up felt like the most important song I’d ever heard. With the benefit of 15 years or so passed (where’d the time go?), it is still a great record that I love dearly. Some things have altered my perception of it, both good and bad. Being a parent has changed how I perceive everything in life, and I now view Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) through my kids’ eyes. While I’m not sure I still hold Wake Up in as high esteem as before, the line “we’re just a million little gods causing rain storms turning every good thing to rust” keeps ringing true to me. Then there’s the career of Arcade Fire. Once hailed as the most important band in the works, they’ve fallen off the earth from a quality standpoint. Their first three albums (Funeral, Neon Bible, The Suburbs) are genuine masterpieces, their 4th album (Reflektor) is okay, but then they released one of the worst albums I’ve ever heard (Everything Now). 2022’s We was anything but a return to form too. It’s like they’re a shell of themselves. It’s also hard to ignore the sexual misconduct allegations. All that said, Funeral is still a triumph. It’s an emotional powerhouse, and musically chock full of hooks. Neighborhood #1 is one of the best opening songs of all time; it reminds me of a sad version of Thunder Road, one for children who can’t yet break free from their hometown. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) is powerful musically. Wake Up is still tremendous: one of the most amazing concert experiences of my life was seeing this live at a festival around 2010. There’s of course Rebellion (Lies), which may be the band’s quintessential song. In The Backseat has made me cry multiple times: thankfully my mother is still here, but I think about when she won’t be when I hear it. It’s a masterpiece and deserves the acclaim it’s received.

From the first time I heard Wake Up I was hooked on Arcade Fire, I love this album everything about it is great.

I realized yesterday that going track by track is gonna give me terrible fatigue so I'm just gonna give a rating and general thoughts from now on. Overall: 9/10 I first heard this album at the age of 13, when I saw the music video for "The Suburbs" on TV and wanted to check out their music. The Suburbs album hadn't come out yet so I downloaded this album to see what I was getting into and I couldn't believe just how good it was. I'd never heard this kind of indie rock before and I was blown away by the multiple instruments and I loved Win Butler's voice. Fast forwarding to my listen from today and it still sounds as fresh to me now as it did 14 years ago when I first heard it. Stellar stuff that I will always love. Fav Song: Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) Least Fav Song: Une Annee San Lumiere

Five stars all around so good

Often imitated, never surpassed. The favourite band of the kids who weren't cool but knew good music.

An absolute classic that is being re-evaluated in the recent years given the overall controversies. No need to cloud your judgment, this was earnest and worthy of the praise it received.

This album is flawless, I've listened to it for years and its still amazing. Wonderful musicianship and songwriting. It is both gentle and also hits hard in places. Diverse songs with epic arrangements. Yeah, love it.

Not familiar with this band. At least I don't think. We'll see. HM not hating this! I actually really liked this album.

Solid soundtrack for working on a rainy afternoon