Funeral

I liked it, but I'm kinda done with Arcade Fire Albums - I've done about 4 already and I just can't believe that SO much of their music was so influential that every album they've released merits a space in this list

For me, this isn't just one of the best albums of the 2000s, it's up there as one of the best debut albums of all time. It still stuns me that Arcade Fire arrived so fully formed, with their own distinctive sound and an album that's wonderfully coherent, both musically and thematically. Most bands don't reach that level until several albums in, and many never get there. The downside is each of their subsequent albums will always be compared to Funeral, and they haven't been able to reach that height again.

Love it

Can someone please explain to me what's so good about this grating music?

Cool!

Very tedious to listen to. Not my cup of tea

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

I can't tell if I yearn for the 2000s, this warped and romanticized version of a decade I hardly even have memories of, or if I would rather just not be in the 2020s anymore. Grab a plate: throw in lush instrumentals, a dark and snowy Canadian evening, plenty of early adulthood anxiety and confusion, hazy recollections of times long gone, immeasurable grief and pain, all sprinkled with some classic early 2000s melancholy, and you've got a pretty good, moving debut record. Also, bilingual lyrics are and will always be so fucking cool. Allez Quebec French! Favorite tracks: Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Un année sans lumiére, Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles), Haiti, Rebellion (Lies).

I like the general vibe. Nothing stands out, but I enjoyed the overall album.

Really great I mean this as a positive, but it seems like they picked a really good melody and just did it for 45 mins. It sounds great. Could be released then, would be as good if it was released today. Top stuff

Decently engaging. Not much else to say?

This is just fantastic

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.

Decent Rock album with barely no skips unless I feel like the song goes on for too long Favorites- Crown of Love, in the backseat, une annee sans lumiere, neighborhood 3 Least favorites- neighborhood 1

Liked this quite a bit actually, production was good and I think I’ll revisit it

Neighborhood #2 (Laika)

Not as good as Neon Bible, but still banging.

Liked this one

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.

I really enjoyed this! In a world of derivative music this somehow sounded original. Lovely arrangements and instrumentation.

In my mind Funeral was among the greatest albums released during the indie-boom of the 2000s and thankfully it still holds up today thanks to having such a strong through-line of theme and sound. Each song feeling like a cohesive part of a complete body of work while still standing alone to give the band some of their best singles – Power Out is still the best thing they have ever done in my opinion. Arcade Fire had such a drop off in quality with each subsequent release (to be fair, I do like The Suburbs) that it makes looking back on this album quite bittersweet as I realise now it was almost a fluke how good this album is and maybe not an indication for how good they are as a band, but I'm glad we got this one great album from them at the very least as it remains up there with my favourites.

This sounded fine, it was nothing special to me. A pretty bang average album.

its fine. fades into the background

Really enjoyable. Worldly sound. Nice instrumental variety and composition. Would listen to whole album again.

I heard of many people praising this album and have listened to it before, and although I like it, it is not a 5/5 album for me. There is certainly nothing wrong with it; musically it is up my alley (Although Neignorhood #4 (7 Kettles) eventually got pretty boring) and it has some awesome lyrics, but it did not sound all that special to me - there is just something missing for me that keeps it from a perfect score. Favourite tracks: Neighborhood #3 (Power Out), Wake Up, In the Backseat

super nice! love arcade fire

Very good Voice to low for me though

Man I wore this album out in college. Still my go-to for a snowy day, but not really a place in my life anymore. Back half not as good as the remarkable first half, and the twee shit that ruined the brains of my arts compatriots in 2005 is now mostly annoying to me, but I still am a fan.

The album is great overall, but then in the middle it goes from a higher energy Neighborhood #3 to a mid album slump of Neighborhood #7 and the first two thirds of Crown of Love back to back. I feel like the next track after those slow sad songs being called Wake Up is addressed at the listener to wake up after probably falling asleep on the previous two songs. The rest of the songs after that wake up keep things going until the end to finish out strong.

Liked it

It does get repetitive but it is a really solid album. Good harmonies and instrument choices. It's got a charm to it and for a debut album, it's wildly well put together. If it was further into their career I may bump it down one, but it performs really well; if I hadn't ever heard of this band and heard this album when they were new I'd keep an eye out for their second.

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.

Just fantastic stuff. Man I love their first 3 albums.

belo cd

bland, and unimpressive. songwriting overall fine, but instrumentation and presentation feels very formulaic. 4/10

Good arrangement and instruments. I found it a bit cheesy however.

This band was a mainstay during my brief indie rock phase in my mid to late 20s. It's still great.

Possibly fav so far

ok recird some good songs

One of those unique albums which arrived and really made an impact. It seemed like the culmination of years of crafting and building up to a bands crowning moment...and yet it was a debut release. Astonishing.

good

Any Arcade Fire haters in here can fight me in hand to hand combat

That's not my taste in music - But ok

Very boring. Only a couple of good songs. They have much better albums.

Not bad.

Day 27: Funeral - Arcade Fire. Arcade Fire Album 1/3. When I listened to Arcade Fire for the first time, I was disappointed. I expected them to be a metal band. Their name gave me the same vibe that the names of the bands Dream Theater, DragonForce, Nightwish, etc. gave me. However, that is not to say that Arcade Fire is bad because of that. In fact, I'd say the opposite. This album feels like a symphonic opera. The vocals are very powerful, and the instrumentation is very satisfying. Among the three Arcade Fire albums in the generator, my favourite one is Neon Bible, but this album is also really nice. This album has a lot of depth. Despite it being a debut album, it feels like Arcade Fire has decades worth of experience. This is something that I'd expect from a band that's been around since the 1980's. Sadly, Neon Bible and The Suburbs have both been removed from other editions of "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". I sincerely hope that this album doesn't suffer a similar fate. I'd rather listen to Arcade Fire than Kid Rock. Personal Enjoyment: 4/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 5/5.

Hadn't heard of this until now but having listened I really liked it. At times I thought I could detect hints of Talking Heads and even a little Kasabian. Good listen overall. Well produced album

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.

I had a good review about generations of strife and the pain of continually being let down and doing it wrong, but it deleted. Oh well thus resonated because of when I was born

What a maximalist indie darling. Lots of nostalgia from high school days. Favorites are Neighborhood #3 and Wake Up.

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.

I effing love this album, it has so much excitement, passion, and a big sound. And that isn't just me being a nostalgic millenial because foremost, I am not a millenial. And also because I only started listening to this album in 2019.

An all-time great A-Side. Big enough to admit that high school me didn't listen to the full length album enough to be as sure about the second half. The quiet start rising into the full dynamic contrast in the first 2 minutes: ooh you know it's gonna be good! And the start to Neigborhood #3--oh man. Update: 2nd half is very good. Not quite as good as the first, but this is good stuff, folks. Oh am I a pretentious hipster for loving this? Don't care this is exactly as good as its reputation suggests.

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.

Early 2000s indie rock gets +1 star. Solid album, didn’t blow me away with its greatness but in my old school Pandora radio days I wouldn’t have skipped any songs on this album.

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.

Fine, some interesting moments. Not a very strong lead singer imo

Fav track: wake up

Not that great or at least not my jam

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)”

Kind of anaemic indie pop that never quite goes anywhere. Lead single ‘Wake Up’ probably does the best job of having some backbone but the rest is just a bit dull

Definitely NOT for me. Music for the whiney kids that are way too into "indie" rock, PBR, and skinny jeans. The type of people that you find at weird house parties in gentrifying neighborhoods. I can't tell the difference between this group, MGMT, and the Lumineers. Essentially backing track to sappy romance dramas staring the latest manic pixie dream girl and Michael Cera. I feel like I could go on, but that would be more effort needed for music that is not good.

Surprising 4

Yes, absolutely, yes. Fantastic.

Fav song: In The Backseat A little bit bland and boring for me. Not a lot of stand out songs or lyrics and generally uninteresting production style.

Had me dancing at the bus stop from track 1, bopped all the way to work.

un sound un pò "lontano/piatto" ma ascoltabile

The album name says everthing

Indie pop that’s cohesive, expansive sound to the record, but the songs don’t really accomplish anything, go anywhere or have any bite to them; it’s just a lot of sound that ends up being not very memorable. Like already buried and Standing randomly on a graveyard.

Surprisingly, not a fan considering the albums wide praise. Didn't really get into it, fairly boring

Good rock album, atmospheric at times. Stand-out: Une année sans lumière

ehhh

I rented this album from the library in 2004 as a teenager! But I never got into it, so maybe this is my chance to actually love it. The opening of the record is really strong with "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" I love the driving piano and the Robert Smith-esque vocals. After the second song, I sort of feel like maybe I was too young to "get" it....even though I had a very indie music obsessed teenage years (it was so good then! Postal Service! The Shins! Belle and Sebby!). I really enjoy "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" and how it builds up and goes back down, adding the violin, it's great. "Crown of Love" was great, even though I don't usually like songs where someone is begging for forgiveness...is that true? Idk. Okay. Fuck it. I'm saving this album in my library. The indie rock loving betch in me loves this. I wonder what would have happened had I gave this album the fair shake it deserved all the way in 2004. Would have I been to like five billion Arcade Fire concerts? Side note, the song about Haiti made me cry as a person who was descended from people that came from another island and relocated to Montreal.

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.

lovely album. i enjoyed the clash of the more hard and more delicate sounds

One of the best albums of that indie era

Great listen. Would definitely listen again and recommend to people I like

Fantastic album

I loved it when it came out (and I am born 69), and I still like it. There are some great and memorable moments in this, but it potentially has withered in time due to too many equals to follow.

The album might be better than any of its individual songs. Heavy Springsteen influence. Good vibe

Too depressing for me :) Did not particularly stand out.

It was okay but not something I would go search for again.

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.

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

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

My first listen to this. I didn't dislike it but it didn't seem like anything I'd run out to buy.

My car that I've been driving since 2010 still has a 6 CD disc changer in it, which is rarely used anymore but every once in a while the mood strikes me and I'll flip off my phone and over to that. This album has been in slot 2 for almost that whole time, and I'll still gladly listen to it all the way through with no skips.

2000s indie music for 2000s indie films

Nvm just possibly the best debut Album of all time

Pleasant, but somewhat lacking. I enjoyed the instrumentals, but felt like they stepped just a bit too far back away from their mics at times. Overall, the album felt cohesive. I could see myself revisiting this one, as it was a good vibe. It's also enough that I'm curious to explore Arcade Fire's catalogue. 'In the Backseat' was my personal fave.

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

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

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

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

Interesante

Great album full of flavors and notes. A+

Emotional dramatic rock. Has a kinetic energy to it. At the same time, there are melancholic tracks. Loved the second half more. The four song run from the anthemic 'Wake up' to the emotional closer 'In the Backseat' was so good. It's always a pleasure to listen to this album once or twice an year. Pefect mix of rock's energy and melancholy.

I was frozen with my bemused reaction to seeing Arcade Fire long enough to take a picture of it and send to my group chat. Arcade Fire? Arcade Firestorm that shit. By the time I got to "Wake Up," I had to chug coffee to do just that.

SNOOZE FEST! It's not as bad as their second album, but that's not saying much. Nothing here I respond to on any level.

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

I like the melody in the first song. It’s very hopeful and curious sounding. In “Une Annee sans lumiere” I like the upbeat turn at around 2:45, kinda surprised me in a good way.

Obviously

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

Not my style. Can anyone really tell the difference between modest mouse and arcade fire?

fire album

The concept of the album is fine, but the execution lacked in my opinion. The vocals are buried in the mix and the instrumentals are too simple at times.

Not amazing. Vocals are pleasant enough and certainly does a few interesting things instrumentally, but not quite my cup of tea

Doesn't do it for me.

I think this is a modern classic. Bringing big, gothic, orchestral music that swells and hums with emotion. Coming back to it just reinforces this

Neighborhood 1: 9/10 Neighborhood 2: 6/10 Une Annee Sans: 8/10 (really liked the soft vocals and instrumental, but I felt the ending was really unnecessary[would be a 9 /10]) Neighborhood 3: 8/10( disliked the song at first but it quickly grew on me, low end is also really good) Neighborhood 4: 5/10 weakest song so far Crown of Love: 7/10 Wake up: 8/10 aside from the intro nothing really stood out, and i really dislike the two songs in one thing the song did) Haiti: 5.5/10 great song im just not gonna listen to it ever again rebellion(LIES)7/10 intro was great, rest was ok In the backseat 9/10 really love this one( but please stop giving me blue balls with the distortion, I need more!!!!!!) Greatest on here yet

hmmm it took a lot of listens for me to properly-ish listen, but it's for sure a 4. Could be a 5. Good album flow, some nice variety as the spice of life, and generally tight

Very good album, just two songs I didn't like at all, the end song being one of those. Probably would have gave 5 if it ended strong

I read a comment about this one "what the album your friend tells you to listen to sounds like". Couldn't be more accurate. Best part about it was when it ended

It's fine

Me gusta Arcade

Not a terrible album but just didn’t do much for me

borringgg midd

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.

I had heard the name of this band but have no idea if I have ever heard any of their songs. Did not know a single song from this album. The music is ok…..nothing that got me excited or drew me in.

Ok

"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.

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

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

.

It's ok. Some interesting ideas, but they don't really go anywhere. I have no strong feelings towards this project.

Never the biggest fan of the band but this album works by being more than sum of its parts.

Their best? Probably. Some phenomenal tunes, a truly great album. Mid to high fours.

Melodic alt-rock

Meh

This was a pleasant album that was just a nice thing to sit down and relax with. I wouldn't say it really had me that hooked, but I think it's one that I could really enjoy, had I been fully in the mood for it. It strikes me as a "wandering on a trail on a cold day" type of album, and my average Tuesday work day didn't really fit that environment. I will say that Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) was a standout for me though - it's a banger that absolutely cuts through the quieter tracks either end of it. I may well come back to this record. Favourite: Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)

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.

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

Interesting to hear similarities to stereophonic

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

It should been a red flag to me that both Pitchfork and Robert Christgau like this album. Generally I've noticed a personal trend that albums that Pitchfork or Robert Christgau enjoy, I more often than not do not enjoy. I am not a fan of this guy's voice or the vocal melodies they prefer. French Canadian Sausage Bjork is not for me. None of the songs made me really take notice. Sounds like pretty much every other filthy hipster indie rock band I've ever heard.Started to feel tedious pretty quickly. I wish songs progressed more rather than just vamping on the same hook with softer or louder dynamics through the whole track. Album cover just feels like an homage to the work of Terry Gilliam in Monty Python's Flying Circus. Which for an album named FUNERAL seems like either a disconnect or a joke that I am not getting.

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

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

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

It's funny I remember when this album came out and "not getting it". I hadnt mastered the patient listen yet, and it took me two more albums before I gave them a second try. I remember after their second album they sold out Madison Square for a week and being blown away so next time they toured I had to see them. That was it. Wake up is obviously the best song on this lp but seeing it live 10 years later was borderline life changing 😂 i still contend they didn't peak for a few albums but there's a lot more gems than I thought when it came out. Crown of love was my favorite that I didn't know.

3.5/5; The first half of the album was just kinda ok. Not bad but nothing special. However the second half really picked up and was more enjoyable. Crown of Love was really good.

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

Just recently got into Arcade Fire. This album is solid. I think Neon Bible is better. It’s definitely not for everyone though.

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.

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

Coincidentally, the best parts of this album coincided with the peak of my high. Critics make this band seem so so so pretentious but the actual music here is really good.

Excellent debut album.

hardly got a chance to listen to it. But from what I heard, I really liked it.

Meh personified.

It was pretty great. Idk if it’s 100% something I’ll come back to but I get the hype

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

I liked Une Année Sans Lumière, but the rest of it was pretty mediocre for me.

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

pretty good. insane instrumentals. great lyrics. so much layer and variation it creates a beautiful droning at times. yeah. loved it.

not really my thing but it was still cool

Slightly more interesting than the other one on here but still not at all my bag.

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?

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

I’m at a 4 right now, but I get the album’s hype, and I really think this could be a 5 in the future for me. I’m trying to place myself in the year 2004, because I really think this album is a little bit of a prisoner of the moment. To have graduated high school in 2004 means to be born in 1986 – to have lived mainly through the Clinton years, with parents living mostly in perceived economic prosperity, seemingly no major wars, and the illusion of harmony. By the time you get up to that age though, where it all starts to crack a little bit by 2000, before completely shattering by 9/11 and the subsequent fallout… that’s where this album lies. The point where the illusion of prosperity cracks, and the grim reality of adulthood sets in. This is not a politically driven album, but it is a coming of age album, and all of those events feel crucial to understanding the mindset of listeners and critics at the time, and at the end of the decade. My closest analogue is saying “this album feels like American Idiot if Green Day had played it straight,” and that might sound weird, but it just feels that way to me. What’s here is done with a bit more… not necessarily “sincerity”, but it’s more easily digestible (& arguably more relatable) when it’s wrapped up in the vibes of a 1980s coming of age ensemble film full of realistic introspection than Green Day’s take on a rock opera concept album full of imagination & indignation. Does that make it better? Eh, taste is subjective at that point – I preferred American Idiot to this, but I understand the appeal here. All of that said, these reviews are supposed to be about the music, and that’s where this album currently lands at a 4 for me – I have been agonizing trying to figure out exactly why this album isn’t at a 5 for me right now, because it really does click on a lot of my musical sensibilities. The writing is great, the instrumentals are usually pretty good, and ultimately I think the ambition and bombast here is incredibly admirable, especially for an indie rock band’s first ever album. This has 5 written all over it, but I’m just not there. The only explanation I can come up with is that I don’t feel like I grew up with the sense of broken adventure and shattered innocence this album tries so deeply to invoke. In the most basic sense of the word, no matter how hard I’m trying to step into those shoes, I simply cannot relate to the core of the lyricism at hand here. Without that connection, the album doesn’t work as well – sure, sometimes there are production choices in the mixing I disagree with, and some songs fall kinda flat at times for me, but none of that is an indictment on the album’s quality. This is a good album. Like, really good. But it’s tailor-made for a generation I’m not a part of, and experiences I simply missed out on, perhaps caused by too much cheery bright-eyed optimism when I was younger. It kills me that I feel like I missed the boat here. Like I said, this could (& probably will) be a 5 for me in the future, but I have to feel all of this firsthand before it gets there. For now, this is at a 4, but it’s a highly, highly recommended 4.

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.

Great buildups & vocals

Experimental indie pop that left me unsure if I actually enjoyed it or not, 2.5/5

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

Easy 5 star album. One of arcade fires best.

Album was a nice and easy listen. Doesnt change the world in 2024 but can see how this would have been ground breaking twenty years ago. Favorite track is probably Neighborhood #3 (Power out) Would listen again. Good music to have in the background at work.

Not my normal listening fair, but not bad.

At its peak, this is a fantastic album, and much of it is spent at said peak. Unfortunately there are a couple of songs that's bring it down. After the Neighborhood run at the start, only Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies) are really too tier. I also found the last song to be unnecessary and leaves me not haply at the end. Overall though, great album that I will definitely be listening to in parts atleast.

I once again repeat my friend Joe's mantra: "Good, but I don't care." 3.5/5

7/10

The whole album is much better than just the songs

8,40

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.

I wanted to like it, but it felt super generic.

Was ok

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.

“Wake Up” is probably in my top 20 songs of all time. I really like the rest of the album too. 4.5/5

Nothing about this appealed to me. The whiny vocals, the music, the sound quality. All left me cold. 1/5

A fine recording with lots of great tunes

neighborhood 1- bruh. 3. "Then we tried to name our babies but we forgot all the names that we used to know, but sometimes we remember our bedrooms." what in the goddamn neighborhood 2- this reeks. 4 une annee sans lumiere- 3 neightbor 3- i gave up. this sucks. 2. NO IM ONE MINUTE INTO IT. neighborhood 4- shut up. crown of love- does anyone actually like listening to this wake up- haiti- rebellion- in the backseat- this is a genre of hipster i cant accept

Good

Pleasant

Rock, 2004 -> 2

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

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

Almost perfect

one of those albums i know is good, but not something i’d come back to very much 3.5

it was not my cup of tea at all while i enjoyed a couple songs like neighborhood #3 and haiti i can understand why this project is the breakthrough for arcade fire

Qualidade se impõe em todo o disco, mas não empolga pela minha ignorância em relação às músicas que não são hits.

A group that have made a lot of songs I like which I think is due to their sound, they just make music that appeals to my ears. This is an album I’ve always liked and revisited from time to time but more recent listens have just been certain songs I think I prefer. So probably the first time in a long time that I listened to the whole album in one go. What surprised me most is that I liked more songs than I realised. As a whole album it works well with all the songs connecting and bringing something to it. A bonus is that there are some really good songs that stand out on their own, such as Lies and Power Out. Wasn’t expecting to find this album in this list but really glad it made it in.

I bought this album back in the day on the strength of a couple of good tracks. It never really did much to me at the time, and I am pretty sure I have not listened to it since then. Really glad I got to listen to it again in detail. It is a strong album with no duds. I love the way the songs build up to a crashing crescendo. Wake up is an excellent track, and it could do with a few more catchy songs like that.

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.

Peak Indie....

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

Found this album very bland. Decent elements, but they didn't come together to create anything of note.

Lame as fuck. Lame vocals. Lame backing track. Lame album cover. Almost 4 minutes into Neighborhood#1 I nearly burst into tears for some reason. But yeah lame as fuck 2015 leaver's assembly dogshit. I guess.

people that like music like this must be so fucking boring

Klingt nach Musik. Nicht alles für mich aber wertvoll.

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

There was a time where Arcade Fire was my absolute favorite band. They’re still up there, but I think their legacy has been tarnished by lackluster releases over the last decade and of course Win Butler, the center of the group, being outed as a creep at best and a sexual criminal at worst. But I still hold so much love for the band’s first four albums (yes, I’m a Reflektor defender, there are dozens of us!), including Funeral. That said, I was never one to glaze this one like a lot of people do, probably because I got into AF with The Suburbs, a more ambitiously written and produced album that sounds about 10,000 times better than their debut. Does that make Funeral bad? No, but its production has aged noticeably worse than many other records that hold such acclaim. That would be fine if all the songs were peak Butler songwriting, but I think he was still finding his groove. “In the Backseat,” “Crown of Love,” and maaaaaaybe “Neighborhood #4” are weak points in the band’s larger discography, even if I go through waves where I find them really good. No such waves today. But the good songs? Holy shit. The one two punch of “Haiti” into “Rebellion (Lies)” may still be the best sequencing in any AF record, and heavy hitters like “Neighborhood #1” and “Wake Up” still stir up some childlike wonder within me. Arcade Fire started strong here, but don’t believe people when they say they peaked with Funeral. I’ll defend The Suburbs til I DIE, and Neon Bible is honestly underrated in the grand scheme of things. Still, really good album here.

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

Pretty good overall. Very chill.

You know sometimes you have an idea, you think about it for a few minutes and realise it's silly and/or borning. Don't go ahead with it... This is a bit harsh, but I'd had a long evening playing catch up and had already dealt with Coldplay and a country album and I wanted something to pep me up. This really didn't do it. Was it all just one song that slowly meanders along, possibly. Just felt bland, Funeral is an apt title.

I have heard this album once or twice before. Two of the songs on here were absolutely massive when this album came out. You heard both of them everywhere and certainly started to get that played out feeling when they would come on. Even with that it is hard to deny that this group is extremely talented and their music is very emotional and gripping. I think they might be the pioneers of yelling with a bit of reverb indie music. 8/10

More or less missed the whole Arcade Fire thing but everytime I sample a bit I enjoy it for what it is.

I've never heard this album before, yet it felt like I've heard it a million times before. It's not bad or anything, it's just incredibly boring. It almost feels like an insult that this album can be found on a list with the likes of Pink Floyd and Aretha Franklin.

Giving this a very generous 2 and even that's pushing it.

More fire

I liked some fo the songs and didn't care for a couple

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

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

It’s got that pretentious twee sound that was all the rage at the time. A couple, like neighborhood 2 seemed interesting lyrically but if I wasnt looking at the lyrics I couldn’t understand a word. Perhaps a skill issue idk, but yeah it was fine

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

Favorite Track: Haiti

Mjeh

This is a solid record. I don't think it's Arcade Fire's best though. I think The Suburbs is their best. Overall this album hits hard but there are a couple of songs that just don't really do it for me so I would put this one at a 4.

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

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.

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

I don't know what it is. I just do not like Arcade Fire. I did find one song on this album that I liked but overall I cannot get into the style.

The album is fine but doesn't particularly stand out. If there is something deeper then either I can't hear it or they aren't conveying it as best they can. A typical indie album, similar to their others. Not hateful but certainly didn't speak to me.

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)

Really like Arcade Fire. Some big tunes on here, Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies). Perhaps needed a couple more justify a fiver though. Simpsons: No

I feel like if I had listened to this whilst at home, it would be a solid 3. However, on a nice slow sunny run, it really fit the vibe and I enjoyed it.

I'm not sure about this. I didn't hate it I didn't love it. the only thought that I keep having about this is why so many neighborhoods???

No thank you. Couldn’t get past the singers voice which just grated on me.

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.

This is what I love about this project. This is the sort of album with universal acclaim that I've put off listening to because it's "not my thing", but I enjoyed the vast majority of this album, especially towards the latter half

Set fjóra fimm á þetta. Mjög gott en hlustaði of mikið á þetta á sínum.

First time hearing Arcade Fire and I would say it is worthy of another look at least. 3 stars or C+ so far.

1.7 Wasn't this supposed to be a good album?

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

Pre-listening thoughts: ok so I thought I had heard of arcade fire but I guess not? Cause I scrolled thru their Spotify and could not find any songs I recognized. But why are there three arcade fire albums on this list??? Are they that remarkable?? Post/during listening thoughts: I am trying so hard to form an opinion on this to no avail. It is unbelievably mid. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it, I don’t even like or dislike it. This is the kind of music that someone could put on in the background many times and I would not remember what I just heard. 4.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: definitely not Fav tracks: Neighborhood #3, Crown of Love Least fav tracks: Neighborhood #2

It was fine

Yeah, I liked this an ok amount. I listened to in on a Friday, but I can't remember much about it now that it's Monday. To be fair on my part I had a bit of a rough weekend. I'll probably give it one more go around. Ok. I came back and I really liked it. The whine and melodrama of the songs just speak to me.

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.

The Good: Who doesn’t like an Arcade? The Bad: Except when it’s on fire… The Ugly: Who goes to a funeral for fun? Why is it so difficult for these modern bands to just understand that rock and roll is about having fun? Stop trying to reinvent the wheel, chug 3 chords, and just be a band, instead of a close knit group of friends who are all showing off that they are multi-instrumentalist and therefor will include sounds just to be different. I am a big fan of Indie music, but not this contrived crap… 1*

This is a no for me. Nothing interesting or that would choose to listen to again.

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.

This is a great record. I think not entirely a 'favourite', and I think I maybe still struggle to totally understand Arcade Fire like the 'real' fans do... still I think this is a really interesting listen and something I would be happy to put on again any time. Incidentally, being from Canada and knowing a bit about 'the scene' at the time, it's also made me a bit angry that Arcade Fire gets so much credit when a contemporary Broken Social Scene seems to largely be missed. At roughly the same time that Funeral was released, Broken Social Scene did an eponymous release that IMHO is actually substantially better though drawing on the same energy and spirit.

Not really doing much for me, which is weird, because they remind me a bit of Cloud Cult, who I adore.

It's okay. Quarterly rotation maybe

Day290 - i feel should get an award for having to listen to my third arcade fire album. hopefully this is the last one

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

Tortured bombast, the epitome of the aughties

Hmm, vorige Arcade Fire album vond ik best decent, vooral door 1 geweldig nummer. Dat nummer ontbreekt nu helaas. Het is niet fantastisch, dit is een album dat ik MOET horen voor ik doodga? Toch een beetje een terugkerend thema, was het nodig dat er maar liefst 3 albums(tot nu toe) van hen op deze lijst staan? Nee, zeker niet, sommige nummers zijn zeer episch en pakken mn aandacht, maar voor al die nummers zijn er veel meer die me niet boeien en eerder vervelen... Het zal wel, 2 sterren. FAVO: Neighbourhood#3, In the Backseat

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

Wow another arcade fire. So wish there was some better other Canadian rock representation on this list. Great debut album!

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

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

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

I started this project not knowing Arcade Fire but feeling like I should. I've rated their albums 4 and 3 so far, but without being convinced I like them. Funeral has convinced me I don't.

Great use of strings, especially in 7 kettles. Pleasing to listen to but no individual song really grabbed me.

Nice 🚬👌

Pretty good.

Five stars all around so good

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

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

1.5 boring

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.

Too "Indie"

Listened to Funeral quite a bit a decade or so ago. Coming back to it is kind of wild. There's so much of this album that inspired some of the most annoying indie music of the late 00s and early 10s. The self-important melancholy, the millennial vocalizing, it's all there. Arcade Fire does it much better than those who would follow in their footsteps though. Funeral is still a charming listen even though I don't hold it in as high regard as I did back in the day. *Heard before

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.

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

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

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.

GOOD.

Like a curry that wasn't spicy

Pretty good, definitely enjoyed it

Interesting

Solid soundtrack for working on a rainy afternoon

Half great songs, half I can't really remember

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.

Another 20 year old album comes from the vault to remind me how old I am now... This was near perfection at the time, and frankly it still is, I could listen to this any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Everything is crafted so god dam well, from the plinky plonky piano opening of "Tunnels", to the hero's journey sound track of "Wake Up" to the haunting fragility in the ending tack "In The Backseat", it sparks nothing but emotion and memories.

This album was huge for me when it came out 20(!!!) years ago. I definitely have not listened to it in a long time, but it's incredibly connected to a specific time and place for me. Really enjoyed revisiting the album, and it's a force for sure.

Listening is not enough i need to eat the album or something ahhhh Beautiful lyrics and the music is so unpredictable, like an accordion out of nowhere??? loved it My personal favorites, crown of love and in the backseat

Ik verwachtte dit niet heel tof te gaan vinden, maar track 1 zette bij mij de deuren om m'n mening te veranderen wel open. De zanger doet me enorm denken aan Bowie. Een beetje dat klaaggeest-achtige wat ik altijd bespeur bij Bowie heeft hij ook wel, een bepaalde manier van vibrato in combinatie met een wat hogere stem en het niet perfect zingen. Het stoort me niet verder, het valt me gewoon op. Een beetje mix van Bowie, Los Campesinos en The Shins. Duidelijk dat indie-achtige uit de mid 2000s. Het zou ook allemaal prima passen bij de aftiteling van een een film als Garden State ofzo. Een goed album, dat minimaal net zo sterk eindigt als het begint. Stukje muzikale feelgood, al heb ik natuurlijk weer eens geen idee waarover precies gezongen wordt. Ik kan dit veel meer waarderen dan ik had verwacht en dat heeft bij mij altijd wel wat invloed op de score. Ik dacht lang aan 4 sterren, maar omdat het album zo fijn eindigt (met name track 7, 8 en 9) worden het er 5.

Checks the timeless box for me. Feels connected to real life but more an imaginary world. They created the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies that only exists in my imagination. As a millennial I wonder if older generations are able to see and escape into this world. I wish everyone could.

So so listenable!!!! Haha. Ni for real this is good enough I guess. Music for people who don't really like music