Reviews (page 10 of 14)
Perhaps through my ignorance I have not listened to Arcade Fire before. Listened to it twice and the second time it certainly started to grow on me. Interesting reading their wiki page. Colourful story. Noting David Bowie’s obvious liking of them it makes me think that perhaps their influence can be heard in his last album “Blackstar” which I thought was different from any Bowie album before.
Not normally my cup of tea but I’m glad to have experienced this Album other than “Wake Up” which I’ve heard over the years. I enjoyed the album.
Here’s the song I know from the DP show “Wake Up”. Like the previous album of theirs, decent enough.
On this basis, I don’t get the hype for the band and don’t really get why this is on this list. Not bad, just average
Never forget what they did to Nardwuar
Arcade fire have had a varying run of quality for me, after now being given all the first 3 albums this is probably slightly better than neon bible as it has a lot of the same issues of repetition especially with some of the melodies, it’s not very varied either which is why I liked the suburbs so much in comparison. That being said it’s still a decent album with some strong moments, it starts quite strong with a powerful, almost orchestral without the orchestra sound which continues throughout with the obvious indie alt rock sound from the guitars and rather simple drum beats. There seemed to be a loose theme with the album as well evidenced by the 4 neighbourhood songs (some of the worst to be honest) but it was hard to concentrate on the lyrics as the vocals were just sometimes unintelligible (another issue I had with this, the vocals were kind of annoying sometimes) and some of the instrumentals weren’t really engaging enough in the first place, this is again where the suburbs takes the upper hand. Favourites: the french one, Haiti and Rebellion. Overall, 6/10.
Indie band with strings. Favorite songs: Crown of Love, Rebellion (Lies), In the Backseat
I've listened to this one before but it's never really stuck in my mind. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. What works; the instrumentation and composition is good, each song has a flow, a heartbeat, I can see why so many have nostalgia for the album. There is a certain whimsy that is balanced by a driving beat and moments of urgency. What I perhaps don't like, is the lead vocalists thin and weak sounding delivery that struggles to rise above the musical creativity. I also don't feel there are enough memorable hooks or musical landmarks to stick in the mind throughout the journey. Like I said, I think it's good, and subsequent listens confirm that, but it's not one of the greats for me.
Indie rock has, apparently, not moved on from 2004.
Early years secondary school aesthetic, good times.
Found it bit repetitive. Couldn't really find a way in to enjoy, just sounded bit uninteresting to me.
liked some of the synth sounds but found the signer a bit dreary
It's okay but damn I hate the singer's voice; he sounds like if Brandon Flowers had a sore throat.
A little too whiny at times, but has some bangers
Very anthemic and grand, i can see me revisiting this one
Listens: 2 Standout tracks: In The Backseat I was on vacation for a few days, and so I paused my progress on List on this album. I listened to it three or four times over the course of as many days, and with the exception of the last song - In The Backseat - nothing really stuck out for me. It all felt pretty same-y and the tracks all seemed to blend together. That's not inherently a bad thing. The album is cohesive, but it just never really clicked for me, even the popular songs like Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies). I can't really see myself listening to this again, but I didn't dislike it. It's solid 3 for me.
Instrumentals are pretty nice, but vocals grate. Sounds like the singers are always straining or give variable amounts of air such that the tambre is very uncomfortable to listen to
I have tried to get into their sound in the past, people adore them, they just do NOTHING for me. I can't explain the draw, I don't find anything about them compelling and I don't want to listen to their music if I don't have to. Could be his voice pleading at me for an hour, might be the boring ass songs, perhaps it's the repetition I liked "Power Out", pretty cool track but a touch too long, again with the repetition, know when a song is fully baked. Impressive listening counts across the entire album. The opening track has 55M listens, the "hit" songs "Rebellion" (which I didn't know) & "Wake Up" (didn't know it either) have 133M & 167M respectively, while the rest range from 10M to 24M. It's popular, I just don't understand why. I could never just chill and listen to him yelling at me like that and the repetition is just too much for me to overlook. Not my thing. Decent music but not my vibe! 3 stars since I didn't hate it.
I think this album is difficult to rank and revisit. On the one hand, it's wonderful, an instant classic that is great and soaring to new heights especially for a first outing. I have always loved this, I remember what it was like as a kid to listen to this for the first time, the jolt of creativity I felt. Some tracks there are absolutely great, and still sound fresh and very much like their own sound. But I can't ignore that the allegations against the singer have taken their toll on the band's legacy. It shouldn't be ignored, and I do fall on the side that I like Arcade Fire a lot less than I used to. If you look at the allegations, it's probably less awful than other atrocious stories of show business, and the band as done charitable things for years especially for Haiti. That doesn't excuse anything, but I did think it deserved to be listen to again, if only once for this. In the end, I would understand a 1 star, and I would get a 5 star rating, it's a complex situation. Even though the singer as a person is an alleged demon, the band's music is not, so I landed in the middle.
Some arena ready indie rock with some pretty orchestral instrumentation, some serviceable singing with no doubt some life affirming lyrics had I bothered to listen closely to what was being sang but for better or worse the voices just became another instrument pretty quickly into Funeral. Talent abounds of that you can be certain and if you like this sort of thing no doubt you'll fall in love with funeral. I'm just not a big fan of indie rock and probably only like around a dozen bands (Pavement, Guided By Voices, Yo La Tengo, Dinosaur Jr, etc.) if that. So, there you have it. Funeral is not the kind of album that many people are likely to hate, and I don't even dislike it much less hate it, but I know I will likely never hear Funeral again but give it a chance it might be a defining moment of your fast fading youth.
Musically, this album is wonderful. Not crazy about the vocals. Two great songs made it to my main playlist.
I have a CD-R of this with one of my best friend's handwriting on it, and I can remember her handing it to me excitedly ... somehow I singled "Neighborhood #3 (Power's Out)" as a favorite song. I can't listen just once. I've played it at least 5 times since I listened to this album. I'm probably going to go listen again after I finish writing this. Still, I never spent much time with this as an album. I think of this type of music as engineered to deliver catharsis (derogatory) but sometimes that's what the 21 year old in me is seeking out. 3.5
Album 895 of 1089 Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004) Rating : 3 / 5 They definitely have an interesting sound — often carrying a sad or somber tone that can suddenly flare up into something bigger, almost like a small spark turning into a roaring fire. Nothing on here jumped out as excellent for me, but it was still a fine album to listen to. Nothing offended the ear, but it’s also not a tone I could stick with for too long. A respectable effort, and I can see why others may connect with it more strongly than I did.
Grew on me as I lisy
Nothing too bad, but also nothing stands out except for neighborhood #3
There are some great songs here, mainly Neighborhood #3 and Wake Up, but I also found Neighborhood #2 really nice as well. I expected to love the rest of this album because I like this era of alt rock and everything that comes after for the genre, but it never really happened. Still a great album, but not one that I loved.
I like Arcade Fire, but not as much as some people think I should.
I remember buying this album years ago and struggling to get into it. I did enjoy it more this time around but I still don’t find the songs stay with me
Orchestral, emotional, and occasionally sounds like seven people trying to play different instruments while crying. “Wake Up” and “Rebellion (Lies)” are great anthems, but some tracks do wander off into art-student territory, but honestly? If it’s a mess, at least is (mostly) a beautiful one.
6 ❤️❤️❤️ : Crown of Love ☺️☺️☺️ : Neighborhood #3 Haiti In the Backseat Rebellion (Lies)
I mean I see the appeal, if i was an angsty teen when this was released, I would probably be all over this. There are a lot of solid songs in this album. The vocals are a little whiney at times, which is the point i guess 🤷 In the Backseat is probably my favorite song on the record.
Pretty good. The good songs are really good. A bit meandering over all
I thought I would enjoy this more than I did. It really has the feel of something I'll like a lot more after my 3rd run-through. Room to grow: 3.5
Arcade Fire to me is the early-2000s equivalent of Radiohead. I enjoy some of their stuff, but feel like I should like them more and can’t understand exactly why I don’t.
Still not doing it for me. Hoping this is the last Arcade Fire album. Lead singer's quavering voice grates on me.
Strange; angst mixed with dr suess lyrics
Would not buy.
It’s alright I guess. It’s not like it’s bad or anything it just didn’t pull me in as much as I thought it would.
It was alright. I never realized how many of these songs were radio hits, as it was playing I noticed that I had heard almost all the songs even though I was never a big fan. I found all the songs kind of sounded the same, and I didn't really like the style of the recording.
3.5
I like it … not a lot … but I like it
I like the idea of this album. The first half is connected and tells a story. I don't know what that story is, but it exists. The second half strongly resembles the first, but it was allowed to be it's own thing. I definitely enjoyed the second half better. "Wake Up" got me to.. well, wake up after a fairly peaceful first half. "In the Backseat" is a great closer and very emotional. The best song for me was "Rebellion (Lies)." The second half saves this album for me, but I can't put it any higher than a 3. I could absolutely see this going up after listening to some of the songs again.
They probably have better albums
So strange to have an album of my younger years pop up so early. Remember seeing them in Arlene’s Grocery just before this released. Still not a huge fan of the whole album but do really enjoy a few of the tracks.
Peak Arcade Fire, but unfortunately it's still Arcade Fire. There's only so much you can do when you're a part of Arcade Fire. They never stood a chance smh
it's ok i guess
I'd heard a couple of songs from this album before. Decent chill vibes.
Might be a bit too much Arcade Fire in the list. It's pretty good, but not as noteworthy as the other albums I've rated so far.
Already listened before but okay cool let’s do it
Feels like quite a throwback,
A great story about how we should not let the events of the past or present dictate how we live our future. The first half of the album is extremely dark touching on heartbreak, tragedy, and family trauma. The second half of the album is more uplifting, focused on changing our futures and seeing through the troubles of the past. Some of the stronger songs are at the second half of the album like Wake Up and In the Backseat with the catchier hooks, although very dramatic too. My favorite song is Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) which really connected with me. Its concept is that life takes time to get better just like water boiling in a kettle. You can't see it after closing yours eyes, but it will eventually boil. This album isn't perfect. Many of the songs, particularly Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) and In the Backseat drag out dramatically for too long and some are hard to connect to like Haiti, although beautifully written. I really loved the symbolize in this album like the meanings of light or the alchemic references like turning lead to gold. My top 3 from this album would be Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles), and Wake Up.
Really nice listen whilst working, not sure it will make it into rotation for me but I'm glad I experienced it
Felt like something I would like but something was just a bit off and it didn’t really do much for me. Still 3 stars though
I listened to this a while back and thought it was just okay. Upon revisiting, I’d put it a hair above that, but just isn’t something I could see myself revisiting
Semmone. Ei puhuttele suuremmin
Ihan jees.
This is my mums favourite album Favourite song: Crown of Love
Old times, instrumental only
It's strange for a band to have their first album be their best, but here we are. It's a really solid record. 7/10
Probably deserves a 3.5
Day 18 First listen- A solid record, was obsessed with three of the tracks back in 2020. It was nice to revisit them. (3/5)
great music but the vocalist pulls me out of the experience
A very enjoyable listen. Not my favourite band, or sub-genre (or whatever you want to call it) but there's some good stuff on here. High 3 into low 4.
Yeah it was alright
I had never taken the time to listen to some of their work, even though it had been recommended to me for a while. I actually like the vocal work, just the arrangements are a bit too bland for my taste. 6/10 fav songs : Wake Up & Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Some songs were pretty. Some were pretty dull. I prefer their later work, but this list tends to favor the inclusion of debut albums. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies) made the most impression.
Not horrible, but never understood all of the hype around these guys.
very waily, a lot of overdoneness. Idk not really my thang
Funeral reminds me of The O.C. — and I like The O.C. a lot. I actually rewatched it recently and had a great time with it. Oh yeah, the album. It was… fine. It’s indie. That’s pretty much it.
3.5
I thought the first half of this album had some really silly names, then I saw it was written about the Ice Storm of 1998 which got me reading about it. Turns out that there was a study done on pregnant women who endured the storm and that the impacts of a severe natural disaster can lead to lower cognitive and language abilities among their kids. There is no joke here, I just thought this was interesting. Listening to the actual Neighborhood/Ice Storm suite was, unfortunately, marginally less interesting than it was to read about the event that inspired it. I did enjoy this album more than the other Arcade Fire album (Suburbs). This is a very impressive effort considering it's a debut. My appreciation grew on a second listen, but I really couldn't push this beyond a light seven. There are a couple of standout tracks here in the second half, the first half is well-made but frankly I don't see myself going out of my way to listen to this again other than curiosity for the Ice Storm suite. Highlights: Crown of Love, Rebellion (Lies), In the Backseat
2004 Never got into Arcade Fire. A band that completely passed me by at the time. There's some really good anthemic moments, which I can imagine being awesome in a live setting. Some weak points in the album though probably means I don't go back. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Decent but not amazing ★★★☆☆
Some decent songs here. Only one really sticks out above the rest.
its alright. it fits a certain vibe.
= The Beatles
Facil de escuchar, ameno
2.5
There was a time when this album was chronically overrated in online music spaces, and while I never really dug into it, a part of me is kind of resistant to wanting to listen to Arcade Fire, in part because of this. The whole situation with Win Butler a couple of years ago also doesn't particularly make me want to listen to Arcade Fire. Now that this album has a couple mental shrouds for me, I'm curious if I can enjoy it. It turns out that I can, I still hold that at its critical peak this album was pretty overrated, but this is still a standout indie project. I've seen Side A called the neighborhood suite, and I think it's where this project is at its strongest. These songs have a strong conceptual throughline, some neat baroque instrumentation, and strong, varied songwriting. Tunnels builds in a really dynamic way that kicks things off very well. Laika has great melodies, and really neat jangly textures with the xylophone and the accordion. I'd also like to highlight Power Out, which has a stand out electronic pulse, and kind of makes me think of a mid-late era Modest Mouse song, which in this instance, is a good thing. Side B feels a bit more disjointed, but it still has really strong songs. The run from Wake Up to Rebellion (Lies) in particular stands out to me. Wake Up in particular is ultra catchy. This is an album that incorporates a lot of the early 2000s indie-isms really well while maintaining a super accessible sound, and I think it paid off, Arcade Fire is huge now. I think pretty much every song on here pulls its own weight, and I can see myself returning to some of these songs in the future, even if the whole album may not make it into my regular rotation.
Anthemic concept album, would share
Sure.
I’ve never given this band a listen before. Glad I did. Not necessarily something I’d listen to regularly, but I can certainly see the appeal.
Favorite: In the backseat
"Crown of Love" was good
I’ve tried several times to get into Arcade Fire, but have never really succeeded and I’m not sure why because this is a perfectly enjoyable indie rock record; it just doesn’t really do anything for me personally.
Heard better Arcade Fire and heard bettter indie rock. Just middle of the road for me. Forgettable songs - so much so I can’t even come up with a standout.
meh, not good not terrible.
Not really my thing
6-7
I know that a lot of people love Arcade Fire and they have a great legacy... but I just don't get them. Maybe I'm not cerebral enough or whatever but it's just indie boys. Not bad but nothing special.
Seems ok, but not mybthing
Great sound, similar to a lot of stuff I'd listen to. Neighbourhood #3 was a favourite.
It's alright, not very exciting. I like a couple of the songs
Typical arcade fire album. Pretty cool to listen to but nothing special.
I liked but think The Suburbs is better.
Yeah I know this album. It's always just fine.
First listen I enjoyed it then lost interest with the second
I never liked Arcade Fire all that much because I was very anti-Pitchfork-core during the hipster era of the mid-to-late 2000s/early-2010s, yet I still always remember Funeral being the one album I felt some admiration toward. Not that it was a favorite or anything, or that I frequently found myself wanting to revisit it, but in my memory, I recalled it being a very good album. I just wasn’t much of a fan of the style, personally. Well, clearly I haven’t listened to it much since the early 2010s, because yeah…this really hasn’t aged all that well. The muddy production, the proto-stomp-clap aesthetic that now feels dated, the jug band instrumentation that feels simultaneously forced and wayyyy too up its own ass. Funeral feels full of itself. Now, there is the occasional undeniable song here and there– I’m no idiot, “Crown of Love” is gorgeous and “Rebellion” is anthemic– but beyond those moments, I’m surprised that this has held up so much. It is significantly weaker than its peers, not only from a production standpoint, but in its deep cuts’ songwriting, in the playing, and in the general emotional depth explored here. Sure, it has its moments, but comparatively, it’s worse than its influences like The Magnetic Fields, or contemporaries like Bloc Party, Broken Social Scene, or even the weakest Death Cab record. The most important thing Funeral has going for it is nostalgia at this point, and even that feels thin given Arcade Fire’s standing in the indie scene in 2025. I, however, have no nostalgia for this scene, this style, this band, or this album. This is easily their best record and I will stand by a handful of these songs, but that still leaves me lukewarm, especially since I did not need to hear 3 Arcade Fire albums just to realize even their best effort is a 6/10.
‘Wake up’ is such a exceptional track that the rest fade into the background; I feel it’s an indie artsy album which I appreciate but other than that one epic, it doesn’t do it for me.
About the fourth time I've tried to listen to this. It's good music but really not for me. I don't know what it is but I can't get into it. I can appreciate it for the impact it had though
Arcade Fire certainly plays a homage to mediocre music, and this album is no exception. Ironically, it's not a good album to play during a funeral, but it is perfect for teenagers driving for the first time in middle-class suburban neighborhoods. Hardly anything on here is good, or bad. Favorite Track: "Neighborhood #3(Power Out)".
ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh who cares
Arcade Fire was such a great band in the 00’s, A lot of creativity showing new directions in Indie land. And this is just the beginning
Not weird enough to be interesting, not melodic enough to be pop The single (Wake Up) is undeniable though, it is better than the rest None of it quite felt finished Made me want to hear Bowie, sometimes The Strokes Meh
Doesn’t really grab me
Interesting and creative, but I didn't really like the singers. Wake Up was really good.
Kjeeeeedelig. Det va ferdigspilt for ti minutter siden og æ har bare en vag idé om kordan sangan va, og absolutt null ønske om å høre dem igjen.
I never got into Arcade Fire, and this didn't change that for me. I think the songs are fine, but none of them grabbed me or particularly stuck out. The music is good, the vocals are okay. There are far better bands and albums in the world than this one.
If you like Arcade Fire, this is going to work for you. If not, you'll be put off a bit by the whining. It's just OK to me.
Another one I expected more from but this probably requires multiple spins. Rebellion is an awesome song and the vibe of the song certainly fits the title. Ultimately this is indi, hipster, I like it cause no one else does type music.
It's a good record, a very artsy variation of indie rock, they're not afraid to mix different instruments and they build very beautiful musical pieces, specially with the strings sections they include. It also encapsulates a sort of nostalgia with the music and lyrics. The whole concept from the first part is interesting enough. That being said, while I appreciate the album, I didn't really connect with it that much. The best song for me was the very well known "Wake Up". "Neighborhood #3 Power Out" was also pretty good, with a higher intensity than the other tracks.
Not as good as I remember, apart from Wake Up
Great indie rock album. I like a different one from this band better, but this captures the sound and feel well enough
A rich and well-made album, though not one that made a strong connection with me. I appreciated the big and heartfelt sound, though. Best song: Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
I still don’t really like Arcade Fire but I got a lot of nostalgia associated with this, my brother used to play a lot of these tracks when I was growing up! I think Neighborhood #1-3 are the strongest and actually kinda remind me of Modest Mouse in places, which is unexpected! Fuck Win Butler for sure tho
Nothing special, very much the sound of the time, but I didn't mind that today.
Fun, and I like the sound, but too similar throughout to be an all-timer.
Ahh, Arcade Fire. I had a real phase in 2010 of listening to Ready to Start incessantly (with msn's "listening to" feature very casually turned on) because I wanted to be seen liking it, but not, as it actually turns out, because I liked it. Fast forward to 2025 and I have never listened to this album before but found myself walking a familiar path. Whilst professing to be pleased and allowing anyone within a two metre radius to get a peek over my shoulder at the subtly displayed album cover all day, I secretly yearned for the simple pleasure of a singalong banger. No more. This is my truth. This is precisely the kind of indie rock miscellany that I think I should think is cool but truthfully found formulaic, forgettable and... boring 😭 By the end of the day I was self-medicating with Louis Prima. I am going to be brave and admit this is a 3 for me - and my teenage self should thank me for the growth.
Seems like any other indie alr rock group at the time. Definitely inspired by neutral milk hotel. I can see why people like this but I like In the Aeroplane over the Sea a bit more than this.
Listenable.
Fav: In The Backseat Least Fav: Neighbourhood #4: (7 Kettles) Those last couple songs were so much better than the rest of the album
Ok, low-key rock
6/10
Don't really have much to say about this one
Feels like they're always building to something but it never comes.
Acceptable. They are good but not my thing really. But I can't really say anything bad about them.
Incredible live band. But never really been sold on this album despite the wonderful singles
Admittedly above average for noughties North American indie-rock fare but this album tries so hard to be grandiose I think it should be diagnosed with BPD.
I forgot I was even listening to anything because this album faded into the background so much.
Considering I don't like indie rock this is pretty good.
A few good songs. Never got super into them though. Crown of love is my favourite song on this album
Correcto
Not too bad. Not really my style
Solid album.
A very solid 3 for me
OK. I just gave Bob Dylan 'Blonde on Blonde' a 4, which arguably should have been a 5. But now I'm hearing this album and wanting to give it a 4, but feeling a bit sheepish that if this is a 4, then is this really in the same bucket as Dylan Blonde on Blonde? So for that reason alone, this falls to a 3. Sorry Arcade Fire. You just aren't Dylan.
Album sounds good, but to me it feels 2004 unlike some other 2004 albums. Draggin for me. First listen all the way though, familiar with the hits. Time's been unfair I feel like, very millennial boom stomp to my 2025 ears. Maybe it'll sound like a banger in a few years.
Ok.
Nice.
Really good music. Didn't grab me as emotionally as Neon Bible. Good new band for me though.
Good one, in my memory it was even better than 3 stars...
I don't love this kind of whiny, tremulous vocal style - it's objectively quite similar to things like Bright Eyes that I loved when I was younger but nowadays I find it a bit overly fey and annoying. The music is good, very competently composed, but feels like it's designed in a lab to be uplifting and appear on tv adverts. It doesn't feel very organic or interesting. But I don't tend to like indie songs that have multiple guitar parts all strumming a single note over and over like that. Track 2 (Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)) is a bit more interesting and punky. But of course I don't generally like shouty punk either. The guitars just sound very thin. A lot of small lines of colour on a blank background. A general issue I have with this genre is there's no standout "bit" in the song that it builds to and you get a sense of intense joy and satisfaction from when it finally happens. Like the really brilliant guitar or vocal part or lyric towards the end of the song. It's just stuff happening all the way through and then it's over. So I just fundamentally prefer the structure of, for example, rock or blues songs. Track 3 (Une Annee Sans Lumiere) is very dull to me. I'm not sure why I would be interested in this bland vocal or guitar picking. Although having said that the fast bit at the end is more interesting. Track 4 (Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)) is just nothing to me I'm afraid. Apparently it's one of their singles. I don't know how they choose a single as nothing stands out. Track 7 (Wake Up) is more interesting - like the aaah aaaah aaah chorus. Rhythm guitar is slightly more interesting, with some chords appearing. Still hate the guitar tone. According to A this was one of their big singles. This one did have my foot tapping a bit. And some almost cool lead guitar licks. Like the change of pace at the end of the song. Feels very white and very early 2000s. Which it is, so fair enough. I don't like the vocals, guitar sound, instrumental sound in general or the structure of the songs. I would never choose to listen to this again and don't think it will grow on me with repeated listens. Although having said that it does pick up towards the end of the album. Wake Up and Haiti are better (I like the switch to the female vocalist and the bass line in Haiti). Rebellion is decent too in that generic uplifting 2000s indie way. In the Backseat (the last song) was pretty good and vocal was a bit Bjorky, which is cool. Like the strings. The back half of the album bumps it up to a weak 3 stars overall. I assume everything on this list is going to be competently made so I will rate based on subjective enjoyment and likelihood I would ever listen again. I'm just not sure I like indie much.
It's okay. Good to listen to while one is doing other things
It's funny I never got into this band as they were huge in my college years and I listened to a many AF-adjacent bands, but there was always something missing for me. I can't put my finger on it. Listening through this album gave me nostalgia for the era, but really just made me want to listen to any other millennial alterative album. It's fine.
pretty fine record. Nothing that particularly blew my mind, it was less impressive expected, this being a pretty popular and well loved record. Favorite track: wake up. Overall score: 5.0/10
Recognized a few songs, but the album didn't make a strong impression on me.
Day 1. So far so good. Not really my taste, but I can def appreciate it. Neighborhood #3 is good. The guitar and drums are really good, the vocals are not for me but not too distracting. Neighborhood #4 is better actually. The girl voice in Haiti is good.
I thought this album was a fun listen. I enjoyed the lyricism and found that it was easy to follow. My favorite was Crown of Love. I don't think I would necessarily reach for this album time after time but it definitely had a few songs I could see myself listening to again! 3/5
Very close to a 4 for me, but somethings not hitting my ears right. Definitely parts of it is Win Butler's vocals I don't think are very good. Wake Up is a classic, and I generally enjoy most of the rest of the record, especially everything after Wake Up, but yeah, just not quite doing it for me.
I’d forgotten how heavily this albums leans on talking heads, it’s a very good album though, songs flow past worth repeated listens.
Was more interesting than I remembered...
operatic and turgid; exhilarating when it works, but twenty years on, the seams are showing. a lot of the bigger swings, the "our love is how we'll survive," the communal singalong shit, REALLY falls flat after having your frontman exposed as a cheating sex pest.
It’s not bad. But it’s not great either. The whole album is a lot. Arcade fire as a band is quite a lot I find. Rich in melodies, instruments and vocals. I think some songs would be more impactful for me if some of it would have been toned down.
Good and interesting album.
Not bad, just very over the top.
decent
Why does every rock album from the early 2000s sound exactly the same? You could have told me this was by Modest Mouse and I wouldn't have blinked. It's... fine, but pretty forgettable.
I liked this better than Neon Bible and I gave that one 3 stars, but don't think this one deserves 4. If the vocals were a little bit better/less whiney it may be a 4.
I feel extremely neutral toward this album. Sort of has that modern indie / alternative sound. Wake Up is obviously the standout track.
Better than I was expecting. At times it can get a little generically “indie” sounding, but the songwriting is good and the arrangements are especially well thought out.
Glad I finally got to see what all the fuss was about for Arcade Fire. It was pleasant for sure but not exactly my style. I saved a few songs and would be happy to revisit them. Respectable 3.
It wasn’t bad, but a lot of it was just washed out sound in my opinion. Not enough variety for me to give above a 3.
2.5 but I’ll round up to 3. Pleasant, but I didn’t feel blown away.
You can hear the self-importance oozing through the speakers.
There’s only a couple songs on here I liked.
I half enjoyed this. Some of the songs were a bit grating.
Great cleaning-the-house music. Enjoyable but not memorable
Been a big fan of The Suburbs since its release. It was the only album by the band that I had listened to in full up until Funeral. I can see the seeds of something great forming here but many of the songs sounded very similar to me and, ultimately, they began to run together. Although, I did like the conceptual storyline of the Neighborhood Suite. Top picks for me: Laika and Rebellion (Lies)
Certainly influential, but it's it really that good? 3.4.
Overall fine. I don't like his voice, so In the Backseat was the best song.
Expired
A bit nostalgic but nothing groundbreaking
Middle of the road
good listen
3/5 It's ok, but nothing i would listen to normally. A bit repetitive.
This is #day218 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… for reasons unknown, this band has always felt like a bit of a black sheep in the indie rock world for me. I first listened to this record around 10 years ago. While it has some good songs on it, like Neighborhood #1, #2, and #3 (Crown Of Love, Wake Up, and Rebellion (Lies) are also lovely ones)), it falls short of being a truly significant album. I might be wrong... Listening to Wake Up reminded me of the film Boyhood (2014)—there’s a similar thread running through the whole album. Had I connected with it more back in the day, or if it had hit me with more sentiment, maybe it’d be a 4. And hey, there are two more albums of theirs on the list... Why? Looking forward to #day219.
I listened to this when it came out because the hype was massive. There are some excellent parts and some really boring parts. After listening again today I won’t be revisiting this again
It was okay
Good songwriting but the vocal production is questionable. Ultimately found it a bit boring and forgettable
Decent album but there are very few high points for me. Neon Bible is more visceral.
You can listen to it sometimes for a change. I didn't hear anything outstanding. 6 out of 10.
Not much to say, a decent album without anything that stood out to me.
Yeah I was alright
Eh
THE indie album of our generation, literally paved the way for m82 and all those indie cunts that make Telstra commercial music, but it wasn’t “the greatest album of all time” as quoted by YouTube music
I really liked their Suburbs album. This one just felt very vanilla comparatively.
6/10
Fine I guess. I listened to this album a fair amount back in the day, but for some reason it did not age well for me. Why do I like this album less now? Overplayed? Leapfrogged by others? Realizing this album was a surrogate for wanting more Neutral Milk Hotel? Allegations towards the main guy regarding sexual assault? All of the above?
This was huge for me when it first came out, and it hasn’t aged super well. Aside from the fact that the lead singer is a creep, this type of big oh oh oh chorus music was huge in the early 2000s. Some of it still works for me, but mostly it was fine.
A little long and boring for me, but ok overall.
. 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.
Went from a 2 to a 3 when “Wake Up” came on 👍
never listned to this album as closely as this time, a note on 5 is hard because while i liked and even loved some songs, i wouldn't give it a 4/5 or a 5. i think a 3.5/5 is the note id give it. i liked track 2, 4 and 6 the most. i can see that it influenced many inde bands in the futute which is interesting.
Honestly just fine - very 2000s rock sound. None of these tracks jumped out at me like I was hoping it would. "Wake Up" I think was my favorite track. 6/10
Decently engaging. Not much else to say?
Couldn't really click with this album. It seems over crowded by too many musical elements, which I find with Imagine Dragons sometimes. "Wake Up" and "Rebellion (Lies) are decent and maybe "Neighbourhood #1" at a push, still sits in the middle at a 3 for me.
I don't know why this doesn't click for me but it feels boring and borderline annoying at times. Drumming is cool though and the swelling melodies always sound great. I think the vocals are what largely turn me off of this 2.5 stars
One of the better albums of the early 2000s indie rock pop alternative movement. Without this band you wouldn't have later projects in the series, they really paved the way for music that became popular for a few years before everybody realized it was kinda mid. that's not an insult to this album or band though, unlike groups like Of Monsters and Men or Naked and Famous Arcade Fire actually have an enduring legacy that still kinda holds up
I remember this album, it’s pretty good.
This sounded fine, it was nothing special to me. A pretty bang average album.
Liked it
There are some nice melodies, but there is a lot of the same vibe for the length of the album. The recording is at fault a bit. I'm sure this would be a better experience live. I find the recording not as dynamic as it could be. Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies) are cinematic 2.5 rounded to 3.
Good arrangement and instruments. I found it a bit cheesy however.
ok recird some good songs
good
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Not bad.
I really liked the music and production of this album. Some classic 2000s rock that just feels nice to listen to. The Arcade Fire vocal is my biggest issue. I've never been a big fan of punk, not in-tune, influenced vocals. Overall, I was a fan.
Arcade fire has never been my favorite artist but I can respect their music. Couldn’t be an early 2000’s album without a wailing “OoooooooOOOoooo” section on wake up. Overall some good sounds I enjoyed and catchy bits. I am fairly certain this is a concept album but because I listen to these at work I don’t really tune in to the lyrics much. Which may make this not as highly rated for me, and if I had time to listen might move it up. Standout track neighborhood #3.
This album is the embodiment of the phrase, "so bland as to be inoffensive". The only reason I'm not giving it 2 stars is that Wake Up is the one exception to that phrase.
am i the only one in this group who gives out fives? anyway this is not a five album as arcade fire always sounds half as greasy as the 1975 to me. arcade fire was very instrumental to my introduction to the aughts' defining rock contributions. however, i've always felt that their lyrics lack a specific depth or transcendent yearning that i think is characteristic of the genre. maybe it's just that i can't relate the same way i can't relate to taylor swift. musically very rich, if uncomplicated, and moves away from grunge without being twee or theatrical. looking at the year of release, this album really was quite ahead of its time.
Fav track: wake up
Ok but not their best.
Hadn't heard them before today. Liked this, will listen again
Peak Millennial-core. Makes me want to wear skinny jeans and a button up shirt with an obnoxious pattern. Highlights include: "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" "Wake Up" “Rebellion (Lies)”
un sound un pò "lontano/piatto" ma ascoltabile
Surprisingly, not a fan considering the albums wide praise. Didn't really get into it, fairly boring
ehhh
i really like the accordion
I enjoyed it overall but it was a bit plain. I liked some individual songs but not thrilled with the entire album.
Too depressing for me :) Did not particularly stand out.
why yes the first time i heard this was tunnels performed by the rockafire explosion band. why do you ask. i don't remember if this is the album that won a grammy and all the normies were like "who?" or not. this was ok, a little too melodramatic. i would have liked this much more in like high school or early college
Not my cup of tea. Wasn’t bad to listen to by any means but I’m not itching to listen again soon.
My first listen to this. I didn't dislike it but it didn't seem like anything I'd run out to buy.
2000s indie music for 2000s indie films
This is now the 3rd album by the band in this project, which I have never heard of before. Again, I find the music very interesting and melodic. Nevertheless, I'm not really enthusiastic about it. 3/3
Not amazing. Vocals are pleasant enough and certainly does a few interesting things instrumentally, but not quite my cup of tea
It's fine
Not a terrible album but just didn’t do much for me
On one hand, the album has elements that are truly enjoyable and original. However, this is counterbalanced by a radio-friendly, polished production that often feels over-saturated. Personally, I struggle to connect with bands like this. They label themselves “Indie,” yet they were nominated for a Grammy in 2005 and dominated the charts. They took the authentic sounds of genuine indie bands, polished, and overproduced them until there was no texture, color, or unique character left. In many ways, bands like this have contributed to the dilution of what indie rock originally stood for.
"Funeral" de Arcade Fire es un disco seminal del indie post 9/11. Ruidoso y más grande que la vida misma, el trabajo realizado por los canadienses definió de cierta forma el sonido de la música alternativa que se apoderó de Tumblr (para bien y para mal). Con claras influencias de Modest Mouse e incluso David Bowie, lo único que le juega en contra a este trabajo es que a pesar de no haber salido hace mucho tiempo (20 años desde que se escribió esta review), se escucha bastante añejo. Probablemente porque las tendencias que estableció envejecieron bastante rápido, saturando los odios de todos quienes escuchan radio. Buen trabajo, buena inclusión, a mí personalmente no me gustó para nada. No lo volvería a escuchar.
It was fine, more of what you expect from arcade fire.
.
It's ok. Some interesting ideas, but they don't really go anywhere. I have no strong feelings towards this project.
It’s ok. I listened to this album once probably 15 years ago and wasn’t really a fan. Since then, and with another listen, there are definitely tracks that I like, and overall my opinion has moved more into the “not bad” category. I’m not a huge fan of the indie genre, so honestly a lot of it sounds the same to me and I really don’t see what all the fuss is about with this album. I know people love it, and it’s very critically acclaimed. Maybe with some more exposure to the genre I’ll be able to appreciate it more.
Eh. I was told this album would put me in a mood. Take me to a dark place but I was already there. It may have been wrong place wrong time wrong people around me situat. I had a migraine and I was at work and it just came off as noisy. I'll come back to it.
Bit slow but love the sound of Arcade Fire
My knowledge of Arcade Fire is very surface level. As in, I know them by name only. Honestly, I thought they were a rock band. So, it surprised me to hear a very indie sounding album. That’s on me and my misconceptions. But overall, it’s a indie album. It feels like music people listen to in order to feel smart. There’s an aura of pretentiousness to it, like most indie albums who use Victorian-ish art for their cover. Seriously, that art style is so overused for stuff like this. I don’t know the evolution of Arcade Fire’s sound over the years. Hell, I don’t even know if they have anymore albums on this project. If they do, I hope it’s a little better than this. Favorite track: Wake Up Other hits: Rebellion (Lies), In the Backseat, Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Strong and constant vibes but not really for me. Sounds like a late fall day
Slightly prefered this to the other Arcade Fire album on here, but I really have no strong feeling about these. They're very dull. Not what I imagined a fire at an arcade to be like at all.
first album rated!!! Most was just ok, nothing hooking me, just more indie rock. Not in my usual comfort zone.
my complaint is it is friko but like altogether far too wordy and not heavy on hooks. (which is sort of the reason why i love friko so tbh don't know why they're always compared to these guys besides like the style of singing?) cool music though, so more of a 3.5 that last song was rly great tho wow
Not a bad listen 3/5
OK, OK, OK. So, when this album popped up, it finally occurred to me what my problem with Arcade Fire is. Like, beyond the fact that I only knew them as some "Album Of The Year" winners and nothing else. To put it in short, before now, before I decided to partake in this randomizer, I've never been faced with a situation where I had to take them seriously. Before now, honestly, this band existed in my mind solely as a punchline — **the** band a stand-up comedian will bring up when they're making fun of hipsters and their flannel and beards and overpriced artisan coffee. Because of that, I suppose I've been inclined to be a little harsher on them when they don't live up to the "GREATEST ALBUM OF 2010" or "THE ENTIRE 2000'S" hype I've heard so much about. And of that latter hype — y'know, I remember making a big deal in my KID A review about worrying over hype backlash, but honestly, I don't think it's that big of an issue with me. At worst, I might be kinda disappointed; not so much "AUGH, GRRGH, I HATE THIS ALBUM FOR BEING OVER-HYPED." And when it comes to 2000's, I can't think of an album besides KID A more hyped as "THE GREATEST" than this one. Like, literally, it's regularly number two on a lot of those big "best of the decade" critics lists. There is **something** for it to live up to. And yet, recognizing my biases, my preconceptions, and that "hype backlash" isn't really an issue for me... At the end of it all, frankly, I'm just not into this sound. I don't **hate it**; I've given both previous albums 3's, and there's moments across all three Arcade Fire albums I can say I like. But beyond moments and maybe one or two songs — these compositions, these soundscapes, these lyrics, these vocals... I really don't care. Listening to it, I can't imagine hearing it for fun outside of the context of this list. I can't picture myself putting it on as I'm reading or washing dishes or working or playing a video game or writing or making art or, heck, just listening to music for the sake of it. Once I'm past "this thing was on a list of music someone thinks I should hear before I die," it doesn't really have much of a purpose for me. There are so many albums that have come out in the 2000's, and, heck, 2004 alone, that I'd go to before and consider greater than this one. I mean, come on, the SHREK 2 and SPONGEBOB MOVIE soundtracks alone~... Still, ehh, I'll stick with the rule of thirds and give this a 3, too. I can't say it's bad, but it's just really not for me. Like, I don't think I'd hafta be a hipster or a big important music critic to get into this. My tastes just skew too hard elsewhere. I mean, I just brought up the SPONGEBOB MOVIE soundtrack as a 2004 album I'd consider greater and not, like, I'unno, AMERICAN IDIOT. What does **that** tell you? So, yeah — unless there's another Arcade Fire album on this list I don't know about, I guess that's all of them dealt with. They can go back to being just a punchline in my eye. Like, it's kind of unfortunate they didn't do anything to convince me otherwise, but them's the breaks I guess. I'unno, I guess I've just been to better funerals, y'know?
This is my 3rd Arcade Fire in 21 albums. I have no idea how this band landed 3 albums on this list. I didn’t need three albums to re-enforce the fact that this band just cranks out 3s. Nothing bad about them. Nothing good either. Just average background music with one or possibly two above average songs per album. If you took the very best two songs from each of the three albums I’ve listened to over the last three weeks, you’d have a decent LP that might be a 4.
This is another band that for me is a broad, flat plain with occasional high peaks - there are a couple peaks on thus album.
Is this one of those albums that's better than it sounds? I think it would grow on me, but I don't know if I want to give it the chance. Middling on first listen
Not my normal listening fair, but not bad.
I once again repeat my friend Joe's mantra: "Good, but I don't care." 3.5/5
The whole album is much better than just the songs
I kind of liked it. Very beautiful, some of the songs.
I really should love Arcade Fire, they have everything I like… but somehow they always leave me cold. Couple of great tracks on here but the rest… very boring.
This album was more complex than I was anticipating and I did not give it the attention it needs. I did not mind listening but I feel another listen is needed to judge appropriately.
Good
foi uma boa experiencia é um estilo q eu n sou o maior fã, mas consegui ouvir o álbum de cabo a rabo sem pular nenhuma música 6.5/10
tem músicas boas mas a experiência como álbum fica meio arrastada
one of those albums i know is good, but not something i’d come back to very much 3.5
seem to remember there was a massive fuss about this lot when they came out which I didn’t join in. Ultimately the guitar and drums are just so basic, and most songs seems to revolve around them getting a bit faster and louder just playing the same basic thing, which I find pretty lame (and a lot of noughties flouncy indie pop bands seemed to rely on). Their trick seems to be the lyrical melodies, his voice is quite intriguing and string arrangements around that, which somewhat makes up for the former. All in all, it’s alright, if a bit repetitive.
I do not care for the mixing on this album at all. The suburbs and neon bible are far stronger, but this isn't a terrible album by any means
fun bass guitar
he de erst song het gad recht öpis gmacht mit mir. no guet. de zweit isch sehr AAAAH MIR SIND INDIE. aber au schö? ha etz es bitz inaktiv glost aber es isch guete indie? bin positiv überrascht. aber soooo guet ischs au nöd. fix e 3.
also #1 findi musikalisch sehr cool, aber sini stimm ghör ich iwie mega schlecht? #2 findi megaa, daa passt au d stimm chli besser, und d musig wird iwie immer abrupter und "aggressiver" une année isch denn um einiges ruhiger, bewor #3 mit chli meh quirk und pace chunnt de quirk passt iwie chli id mitti 2000er, es bizeli erinneret mich d vocal delivery ah panic at the disco oder so hahaha #4 hanis gfühl isch öppis wo de luca hasst crown of love findi chli sehr melodramatisch mite strings aber s isch ok...wobi es wird immer schnulziger und mmmh OUH OKKKKK SWITCH UP FUNNY würds nöd als speziell guet bezeichne aber e willkommeni überraschig also mier hend öppe ⅔ vom.album und die zwei grösste hits vom album sind nanig cho..mal gugge ouh wake up erinneret mi de ahfang mega ah öppis anders also bis zum oaaaaaaaaaaaaaa oaaaaaa haiti isch jz echt arsch gsi oke find na cool wie s klavier die achtel macht und denn d gutarre das sozege übernimmt hmm aber finds jz nöd unglaublich, bis denn d strings ihsetzted, das isch huere schön, au wenns schlagzüg nervt in the backseat findi echt au nüt speziells hmm jaa all neighborhoods hani rig sehr gnosse und s isch ufeme 4i gsi, aber de schluss vom album hani chli arsch gfunde. mengisch hani d strings sehr cool gfunde, aber iwenn wirds echli zu cheesy iwie? wird es 3
More or less missed the whole Arcade Fire thing but everytime I sample a bit I enjoy it for what it is.
I liked some fo the songs and didn't care for a couple
A bit dismal, some of the early 2000s “stomp - clap” alt sound in here. Thought provoking though. Great talent but nothing to write home about, there’s no Eddie Van Halen or Stewart Copeland here.
2.5 "Stadium Rock", perfectly adequate but not my go to.
Solid album in one listen. Not really an Arcade Fire fan but it was enjoyable enough.
# 355 : They've done a pretty decent job, It's alright, it’s enjoyable, fun and just experimental enough to make people think they’re smart because they listen to it. Favourite Track : Rebellion (Lies)
Didn’t really enjoy the last Arcade Fire album on this list, IIRC, but this was alright. Wouldn’t listen to any of the songs again though, apart from Wake Up, which is a banger (also the only one I’d heard before)
What am I missing here? Two songs in and it’s so whiny. I like some of that other album on this list. But this is pretty generic. And whiny. People keep telling me that I should love this group, but mostly they are just meh. It’s okay, I guess. It just sounds ordinary and formulaic to me. Whatever I’m supposed to be impressed with, I am not hearing it.
First time hearing Arcade Fire and I would say it is worthy of another look at least. 3 stars or C+ so far.
It was fine
Literally what the chat bots give you if you ask them what an average 2000s indie album sounds like. I get why it’s on the list but there is nothing more ordinary than this album.
Good
I mean it's alright... like, here's been done a really good job on composing and orchestrating (I can remember only Radiohead doing a justice for strings (in that time period, I mean)). But the songwriting and a sound... it's good. But not the thing I would listen on repeat.
It's okay. Quarterly rotation maybe
Great use of strings, especially in 7 kettles. Pleasing to listen to but no individual song really grabbed me.
Pretty good.
Was quite torn by this one, I think because I wanted to absolutely love it. Though my ratings currently (8/1001) wouldn’t suggest it, I really like the indie genre, and some of AF’s newer stuff. Instrumentally this album is really great, lyrically, welll initially I couldn’t tell a word they were singing so had to listen again. The lyrics I did pick out weren’t….the most inspiring. I’d love to know what the notes in the book say about this inclusion. Why is this an album I must hear? Is there more context to the album that I’m missing and didn’t get whilst listening? Either way it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t amazing, but it doesn’t warrant less than a 3.
pretty good, but they need to figure out a better vocalist and someone to actually mic the vocals 6/10
Vampire weekend meets Fall Out Boy. Has a few stand out songs, and the rest exist and aren't an utter insult to the ears.
Meh. Some nice stuff, but not gripping enough to warrant more listens. I did like "Neighborhood #4 (7 kettles)," which seems to be an unpopular choice, but yeah, that checks out for my musical tastes.
Pretty good, definitely enjoyed it
In the same vein as Modest Mouse, both from that indi era. Favs are Une annee sans Lumiere and Neighbourhood #3. A nice switch up at the end of Crown of love. I enjoyed the lush strings, a lot of nice texture to the production on this in general.
I like the orchestral rock vibe, but not a huge fan of the singers' vocals. Overall I prefer The Suburbs but this is not bad.
30/09/24 Bang average.
So so listenable!!!! Haha. Ni for real this is good enough I guess. Music for people who don't really like music
Was super influential to the indie rock scene, but consequently sounds like a lot of other indie albums that have come since. The instrumentation was nice but I found myself kind of bored
No.
3.5 really
I actually didn’t mind this too much. It felt a little too long which is maybe saying something because the album is less than 50 mins. It sounded a little dated to me but I did like the overall vibe of most of the songs - they felt kind of melancholic but uplifting like they’re from the part of a movie soundtrack where something poignant is happening which I do love… definitely won’t listen to this again though. Fav tracks: Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Opzich nice, lekker arcade fire experimenteel, maar niet heel bijzonder
Honestly, for me personally this was overwhelming to listen to from a production standpoint. There is A LOT going on in this. From the boisterous piano to the exquisite orchestra you really get put front and center into the chaotic world of this band. However, as glorious and awe-inspiring as this album was I really don't see myself listening to this in my everyday life. It was still a heck of an experience to listen to though. Best - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Crown of Love, Wake Up, Rebellion (Lies), and In The Backseat Worst - no bad songs 3.50/5
There are songs on this album that I love, and some that I don't really care for. Love: Neighbourhood 1 & 3, Wake Up, Rebellion I also think that hearing a song or two in a mixtape from these guys is great, but listening to a whole album I found the singers voice to get a bit grating by the end.
Quite impressive, good sound and songs.
Wake Up has definitely been in commercials before. Reminds me a lot of Bleachers but perhaps not as good.
It's fine I like their other albums better but this was a good start
good
Another band I’ve never heard of but one or two songs sound familiar. Very Radio Paradise background—between a 3 and a 4 but going with 3 this time.
This is my second album from Arcade Fire on this list. This one left me feeling exactly the same as the last one. It's well done but just didn't connect with me in any way.