Funeral

I liked this album! Especially the last song In the Backseat, the vocals were raw and the tone was different than the rest of the album. Probably not something I would listen to again, but worth at least one listen through!

A lot of these albums are by artists that I have never listened to so it is interesting because I usually don't know what to expect. This album was different but it was good and some of the songs were almost ethereal.

Prva polovina je najiritantniji zamislivi indie, srećom kasnije se dosta popravi utisak. Ni blizu Suburbsa i tako njihovih kasnijih stvari, ali ispao je ok album.

I had never listened to Arcade Fire before. They were hyped up pretty big at the Grammy's and it made me less interested. So, I was quite hopeful listening to this album that I would be blown away and regret having not listened to them for all of these years. The first song was pretty good. I was intrigued. Unfortunately, the rest of the album meandered. I was not blown away and I had no interest in having a 2nd listen. Nothing really stood out after the first song. Is their best album or just one of their albums that I should listen to out of 1001 other suggestions? I'm beginning to question this 1001 list.

Heard of band but not sure I know any music. Cool start on neighborhood #1. Really good production for the most part, wish the vocal were a little louder. Love the piano. Fun song. #2 is a fun/well produced song as well, is there a connection to number 1? Unclear. Less of a fan of une année. Good guitar, don’t like the drums. Feel choppy. Just a little too slow overall. That’s until the last 45 seconds. Great solo. This is what I wanted tempo wise. Xylophone is uneccasary on #3, but rest of it I like. I also love the cohesion of the album so far with the different neighborhoods. #3 is so good, keeps getting better as it goes. Love the guitar. Great songwriting. #4 is pretty good not the best or worst. Good songwriting, music is kind of simple compared to the rest of the album. Crown of love is fine. Good songwriting but just doesn’t hit me. Really cool last 55 seconds. I’ve definitely heard wake up before, sounds like a radio song. Guitar is awesome. This song is so good. Haiti is fine, saved by the transition into rebellion. Rebellion is awesome. One of the best on the album. In the backseat is a great ender, captures the theme of the whole album. Constantly build up. Really fun album. Would listen again. 3.4 stars

Overall it’s pretty good but i feel weird enjoying it after the allegations.

It was good to get another opportunity to listen to this record. I don't know exactly why I've been unable to connect with it in the past. The music is solidly arranged indie rock, and it was recorded well, though I did find myself wishing for more depth. I listened several times and found Funeral to be a decent background record. I listened very closely one time and realized that this music deserves more attention than what I was giving it. A close listen revealed more layers than I had initially anticipated, and I appreciated that. In fact, I'd now say that Arcade Fire's Funeral is kind of a bridge between other, more noise-oriented and droning Montreal bands like Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. That was a cool surprise. But that same close listen brought up another glaring issue. I can't understand most of what the lead vocalist (Win Butler?) is singing, and when I can, I'm not impressed by the writing. And it's weird, too. I actually find that the singing and the phrasing lend appropriate texture to the music. But it's straining to try to understand the lyrics, and I'm frustrated most of the time. I'll be excited to listen to any future Arcade Fire offerings on the 1089, but this one isn't going on my go-to list any time soon. Three stars.

Sigh. First The National, now this. I mean, it's ok but I could do with less whiny indie.

Good

good vibe but not my pick of choice

Rentoo taustamusaa

Hmmm I think I do like this more than The Suburbs on account of length, but it's still just kinda ok!

As an album I appreciated this more than The Suburbs, which we got not too long ago in this challenge - the instrumentation was rich and varied and the songs kept me engaged throughout. However, as far as truly getting into Arcade Fire goes, I think I missed the last train.

If Win Butler didn’t have such a whiny voice for half the album then this would probably be better. Alas.

Just ok

I bobbed my head to this off and on while writing this morning and it was fine. Can't say it grabbed me but was enjoyrable.

Reminds me of Vivaldi: perfectly pleasant background music

It’s good and well-made and complex and all that, but not really my thing. I did like the random French though. Benefit of Montreal bands.

It was fine

This was a solid 2 until I hit Wake Up, then I thought "well this would be a 2 but this song elevates it to a 3." Then I heard the last few tracks, which I never did before and it's a solid 3. A lot of skips and a lot of it is too artsy fartsy for my taste. But Wake Up is a banger and there's a couple others I'd revisit.

later

According to 1001 albums you should listen to, this album single handedly showed up emo music for the “emotionally illiterate, self indulgent, angst ridden garbage” it is. Strong words about an entire genre of music. The blurb also mentions that Arcade Fire dabbled in Krautrock before landing on indie rock and boy am I glad they didn’t stick with their original plan.

Some good tracks, but never quite matched the hype.

Good album, especially for a debut. Not as polished as some of their other work, but I guess that’s to be expected. Definitely worth another listen.

How do I rate this? On the one hand, this is a fantastic album - deeply nostalgic, great songwriting, and truly one of the standouts of the indie music I grew up with. On the other hand, the allegations against Win Butler have soured my previous love for Arcade Fire. On the music alone, in a vacuum, it’s an easy five for me but I can’t unlink the nuance around Arcade Fire and the legacy of the band now from the work.

Good but not particularly memorable

6/10… chamber pop / indie rock / *2004

It was ok, would listen to Arcade Fire again, given the right mood.

it's alright. it didn't feel very compelling or interesting, so i'm not sure what the hype is about from reading other reviews. this reminds me of something that would be playing in a spot that sells $25 burgers and has a logo of a silhouetted man with a handlebar mustache. standout track: neighborhood #3

Meh.

Worthy

Decent not really my jam though

Canadians this whiny must be Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Didn’t like Arcade Fire as a kid (the radio played them constantly for CanCon), still don’t like them. The album concept and structure is interesting though.

I don't feel as connected to the 2000s indie rock bands

OK..

Yeah it's ok

I enjoyed some of the songs but mostly wasn’t for me

I went back and gave this one a new listen earlier this year or maybe last year, there's good stuff on it and it was definitely influencial for better or for worse. I think they're a slightly overated band, even tho I love some of their songs, this is probably a 3 1/2 for me if I had to give it a rating, which I do. I'll round it up to a 3 star because I'm a bitch Best tracks: Neighborhood #1 & 3, Wake Up I'll try not to use "overated" for the next ones haha

There is pretty stuff here and it has some great use of instruments that are not traditional to the alt-rock genre. But I just don't know...I don't dislike them, they just aren't this end all be all of rock bands that everyone makes them out to be. There is little here that seems THAT unique or THAT different. Its emo alt-rock.

Funeral is a good album but it never really spoke too deeply to me. This was exciting for 2004, but now it sounds earnest and overwrought. 3.5 stars.

Liked this better than I thought I would. Couple repeat tunes: Crown of Love & Wake Up. Sounds even better with my newly acquired headphonezZzZzzz

Beetje dramatisch

Funeral — дебютный студийный альбом канадской инди-рок-группы Arcade Fire, выпущенный 14 сентября 2004 года на лейбле Merge Records. Предварительные записи для Funeral были сделаны в течение недели в августе 2003 года в Hotel2Tango в Монреале, Квебек, а сама запись была завершена в том же году в аналоговом формате. Тексты песен альбома основаны на темах смерти, перемен и потери детской невинности, навеянных недавней кончиной членов семей нескольких участников группы во время его создания. Первая половина альбома, получившая название the 'Neighborhood' suite, повествует о городе, борющемся с отключением электроэнергии посреди зимы, и основана на личном опыте во время ледяного шторма в Северной Америке 1998 года. С альбома было выпущено пять синглов, самым успешным из которых стала песня "Rebellion (Lies)", занявшая 19-е место в британском чарте синглов. Альбом был номинирован на премию «Грэмми» в 2005 году в категории «Лучший альтернативный музыкальный альбом». Он получил широкое признание критиков и возглавил многие списки лучших альбомов года и десятилетия. Сейчас его часто называют одним из величайших альбомов всех времен. Как сообщается на сайте сайте Metacritic, альбом был вторым самым выступлений на конец десятилетия ТОП-10 списков, только за Radiohead Это определённо не ужасный альбом, он есть и имеет право на существование. Интересно послушать, местами хорош. Но и такая высокая оценка критиков мне не очень понятна. Веет от этого альбома какой-то претенциозностью, что ли. А может все жанры с приставкой "барокко" имеют такое настроение, не знаю. Экспериментальщиной и резкой сменой инструментала в треке уже никого не удивишь, но может в 2005 это было ещё в новинку. Ну и я люблю, когда в альбоме есть общая тема или в ней рассказывается история, это интересно как произведение искусства само по себе. Говорю этому альбому "окей".

Normal, hi ha cançons originals.

Reminds me of high school. Less moody than I remember.

Up until Wake Up I was unimpressed. Not exactly bored, nor was anything particularly bad, but there was little about this album that grabbed my attention. However, Wake Up was fantastic. It was larger than the entirety of the rest of the album together. The word that popped into my head for it was anthemic, with that uncomplicated but driving riff and the background chorus. Then the orchestration came in. Just a great song. It made me think I needed to start the album over since I had to have missed something. Them the rest of the album made me realize that no, it was one really, really good song in the middle of a mediocre album.

This was heading for a 2 at the start of the album but once you get into it gets better. Some good tunes and I like the orchestral vibe of a lot of it. Might get higher with further listens but I've over 600 albums left to listen to so I can't

It's fine, I can see why people like it.

perto dos outros dois esse foi bem fraco

This is a debut album from one of the few post-2000 era groups I’ve heard of (because they have been on SNL a few times). The album started unremarkable but gained steam as it progressed. It is good for a debut effort but not quite to the four-star level.

A second Arcade Fire album, eh? I "have" this album digitally, but I never bought it because it didn't live up to the single that interested me - 'Rebellion (Lies)'. Still pleasant indie stuff, nice instrumentation (dare I say, orchestration), but the vocals are too muddly. And there are better songs about Laika, like Ireland's 2025 Eurovision entry! Highlight: 'Rebellion (Lies)'

Not their best but still a good listen

Great album & songs More like a 3.7

Won’t pretend it doesn’t get a nostalgia boost, but it’s better than the other album we listened to.

Okej men inte mer

This is the only Arcade Fire album I have in my collection

I'm not really a big indie rock type. But this wasn't bad. It was a good listen through and through, good vibes and enticing.

Este disco estaba en todos los blogs de aquellos años. Siempre lo consideré sobrevalorado y mi opinión no ha cambiado desde aquellos años. Malo no es, en todo caso, pero no llega a esas 5 estrellas que veo tan fácilmente entregadas en los comentarios.

verrassend. best leuk

Pleasant and empty

Just can't get into it

Listened to this already! I'll give it a second listen. Decent, fun, everything sounded good if a little poppy. Enjoyed the album, solid 3 - 3.2, had a fun time listening to it. The vocals were very very solid.

Arcade Fire has always fallen flat for me and I'm not sure why. Their songs, while energetic, never feel exciting. This may be a testament to how influential they are, but almost every song sounds like it could easily be in the background of a commercial for Home Depot or some fabric softener. There were a couple of cool moments.

Perfectly pleasant listen but it really just needed a little more energy and power as many of the songs have a languid, almost flat tempo to them. I have to assume that this was the artists intention for it to be dreamy but in this case it's a little bit uninteresting. Top Tracks = Wake Up & In the Backseat

Mid

Sympatoche

I like this album, but I'll admit that to me it feels more "important" than enjoyable. There is a lot going on that I don't have the musical chops to be able to describe. Interesting instrumentation, rhythms and melodies. But I don't find myself wanting to listen over and over

I’ve always liked Funeral by Arcade Fire, but I’ve never been fully convinced it’s as groundbreaking or important as many make it out to be. So, I decided to give it another listen today to see if my view has changed. After today’s listen, I’d say Funeral is a good indie album with some excellent moments, though it’s not quite the masterpiece it’s often described as. Tracks like “Crown of Love,” “Wake Up,” and “Rebellion (Lies)” really stand out — Rebellion in particular has been a favourite of mine for years. However, the songs surrounding them feel fairly standard, even a little basic by comparison. Overall, it’s a solid album but not a game-changer — a steady 3/5 for me. Favourite track: “Rebellion (Lies)” – a fantastic song. Least favourite track: “In the Backseat” – not terrible, but the album ends with a bit of a whimper. Album artwork: A cool, distinctive cover that fits the tone of the record.

Mixed thoughts on Funeral.. I like about half of it, and it was a breath of fresh air at the time. I was prepared to go lower given the tone is a bit cringe but tunes like LIES are still huge.

okay

Some nice stuff here but ultimately not very memorable.

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)

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.