Reviews (page 11 of 14)
OK album
A super bloated album that tries to lean way too hard into nostalgia. There are a few tracks that have a nice reflective nature. However, a lot of lyrics end up feeling quite narrow-minded. Musically there are good ideas but a lot of them feel drawn out. There are some great tracks that get lost in the drudge around them. Needs cutting down a bunch.
Arcade Fire always has something interesting on their records. Although I feel like their vocals are sometimes off putting, my general reception is really positive. They have few low-key hits on every album, this included, that I have never heard of before. I believe it is time to listen to their full discography, because so far it's been a great time spent listening to albums from this list. 4 for now, very possible future 5.
One of my favourite things about going through this list has been going back to albums that I first listened to years ago, hearing them in full again for the first time in ages, and being reminded of just how good they are. The title track into Ready to Start is such a good way to open the album. While I do still prefer Funeral, this album does run it close and has my personal favourite AF song (Sprawl II). Fav songs: Sprawl II, Ready to Start, Modern Man
I like this album, but all the songs sound alike.
Classic.
Wow….I really, really like this album! However, repeated listens I believe will make me love this one. It gets 5 stars!
Pretty fun album. Had some interesting songs.
2024-03-03...
A very good indie album with lots of different vibes.
I never understood this era of indie music, or this era of Pitchfork-core. I was the target audience of this album – applying to film school, going to hipster house parties, over with her hometown but also hopeless about the future. And yet, I never got this album, or Arcade Fire in general, besides a song here and there. It just felt more trite and put-on, even compared to my own suburban angst. Over 15 years removed, and I still feel the same apathy towards this music, and this band, and this general aesthetic. There's a song here and there that I can't deny, and generally, it's well-made, but it's still trite and it's still put-on – an aesthetic for the then 30 year old journalists to project onto, not one to be consumed by actual Millennials. It's only in the book due to the hype at the time, and the fact that it fancies itself conceptual. It's not going to stand the test of time, and the fact that we now know he's a gross creep helps me not feel guilty about not understanding the adoration.
Forgettable imo. Did not enjoy the instrumentation too much — boring, old, nothing new. Sounds derivative, but could be because indie acts soon followed the sound they created here. This band and their records are so hyped up that I had high expectations coming in. Can't say I hated it totally — I think Ready to Start, Modern Man, and Rococo were enjoyable songs. The record front to back sounds too similar and homogenous.
Solid.
I started listening to this at 10something because I needed something to keep me awake until midnight because I haven't done my homework. It kept me awake but I ended up on Facebook. who even uses Facebook. the music was p good tho. 8/10
Enjoyable 7.5/10
6/10 - I liked one song the rest were fine. Nothing bad but nothing great
I liked the way the songs sounded good, none were amazing but they were all solid 8/10
This feels a little more generic and bland than the last arcade fire album, but it's still a generally enjoyable listen. 6/10
Nice music, but doesn't light my fire.
This is an album where everything is “good enough”. Melodies are fine, production is fine, lyrics are mostly fine, and the album turns out to be fine and super generic. To me this album could have been made by hundreds of other 90s bands and I would be unable to tell the difference. Play a backbeat and hit record.
Starts really strong but loses momentum somewhere in the middle. The Sprawl songs improve matters at the end. A bit uneven but the good songs here make it worthwhile.
WOOOW ARCADE FIREE I LOVE THISS. I listened to this album some days ago, because I also have some albums I was interested in and this was one of them, buut listened to the deluxe version, now I can officially listen and rate it, such fun. Oh and forgot to say, it is a great album, I liked their style before listening to the album too soo. First song, that first note is sooo nostalgic I'm quite young, but this somehow makes me even more young. I don't even wanna write rn just want to listen to it. It's soo good. They put some drug in it. The beat the mellowness it's too much. I'm not even depressed or sad at all, but this a main character looking out of the train vibe song. Second song, THE FUCKING TRANSITION HERE IS TOO GOOD. That background keyboard vibe note is nostalgic too. The guitar and drum beat is making this thrive. This is edging me because chorus isn't coming, but it feels like it should. The slow down is a great way for the epic finale fot this song, btw I haven't listened to this album for a while. Third song, this is much more mellow. Guitar is giving. I don't know what to say, it just scartched my brain in the right parts and makes me sad even when I'm not as I've said. The production is top tier for me. Not sure what it is about tho. Fourth song, this one has funny lyrical meaning, lazy to write it, plus I don't remember it well. Love the way he says rococo. His voice is also verry touching dunno why. That violin thingy is the main part at the end and I love it. Fifth song, the start is loud af. The girl is singing too here. It was mostly her, barely heard him. Still don't know what to say it's just unexplainably amazing to listen to. The production elements which make it even more melancholic, makes me want to be in song literally. Sixth song, there was a transition, a veery good one. Clapping sound is well put here. I don't like this one as much tbh. Except that beat that matched my walking tempo. Seventh song and eighth song, it sounds the same, and I'm kinda bored, but that's because I have nothing else that I want to do so it just affects this too. I drove off mentally so I don't remember how good it was, but the transition to the 8th song is greaat. I forgot to note down, because I liked it too much. Eighth song, it's mellow than ever. I can hear that not only he's singing in some parts. Approximately at the half of the song, there is a beat change that upbeats it, but it downs after some time. It's getting progressive as fuck love that. Ninth song, I don't fucking know what to say about these ughh, it's just giving it's talking to me. The instruments the voice the lyrics are fine and what I want from an album that's it. 10th song, one of the rare upbeat and hard rock songs I've heard from them. Loved that stop after saying "tight". Same shit same goodness. I feel bad for writing and not listening fully, plus I'm thinking about writing more than enjoying, well I'm doing this because I wanna come back and be like, that's what I was thinking, and I hope I won't blame myself for talking less. 11th song, another great transition the deluxe version has a different song and less listens too. Loooovely. Oh wait it wasn't a transition I just have a cross turned on Spotify, and that made it transition because it played the original version(cross happens when album list gets fucked iykyk). 12th song, the piano is the best part here. Guitar is equally good especially that solo part. It's not as good, but I can feel why would I listen to this in the future. Feel like listening to this album too many times makes it lose its effect, I need this after one year to remember this exact moment. 13th song, piano start, and it continues playing, love its beat. It goes the same way with some rock parts. The finale is epic not as an adjective way, but as in like epic classical music yk, like that. 14th song, another transition, mirroring pink Floyd quite well. Not really liking this, maybe because it's an intro to sprawl II. It was slow and almost uninteresting. 15th song, now this one's just catchy. The girl is singing, and the instruments are doing their best job. Lyrical delivery is good too. I'm watching the music video too, and it's something, the costume choices and some parts in it are quite weird. 16th song, even more nostalgic version of the suburbs. I mean this is the only way to fulfill my love for this song, by listening to even sadder version of it. And that's it, even though I want more. Instantly a 5 star album, if that wasn't already obvious. Thing is there were some songs that felt like a filler, but I love this band too much to take that as a way to take away star. I will not listen to this much, because magic will be ruined, however, I love their style. And oh there is a biiig gap between the opening line and when I actually listened to this.
I like a lot about this album, and some songs (Sprawl II) are a 10/10. But overall I find it a bit repetitive, one-note and flat as a whole.
Funeral was a masterpiece, Neon Bible was a letdown so I gave up on them. This album is better and more like Funeral even though it's longer and doesn't seem to flow as well. Would listen to again. Also, Regine's voice is amazing, she should sing more.
Beautiful, existentially heavy tracks. I wish there were more variations in sound, but the atmosphere they create on this album is flawless.
In a word, boring. I kept waiting for something to catch my interest, but it never happened.
Solid listen this
Arcade Fire used to be so good didn't they
Fkin brill
Not for me. 2/5
I really liked the album opener and I thought the album itself was good but not great. Arcade fire used to be one of those bands I thought were overrated as fuck but I think I can comfortably give this over indulgent album a 4. Also on a kinda related note isn’t the singer a massive creep or something???
What I've been told is the last great Arcade Fire album. Its not as good as the debut in my opinion but still worth the listen. TOo long
Why is everything on this album the same locked-in 4/4 tempo? It’s like hipster marching music. Definitely some good things here, but the repetitive nature grates on one halfway through.
Mid-tempo and lushly orchestrated with a massive instrumental ensemble, this is an affecting rumination on having been young from the other side of a kind of disillusioned weariness: "one day they'll see it's long gone." It's an early onset middle age album, and a bit boring at times - partly as a means to produce the feelings its about: uneasiness, tired tension, vague foreboding. But there are some pulsating synths and soaring guitars that whip into a frenzy every so often too. The vocals are searching and warm and earnest, mostly eschewing the massive arena choruses for a breathy 70s singer songwriter sound. They seem very invested in the album as a form, this isn't quite an indie rock opera or concept album, but it is a very cohesive hour thematically and sonically that approcahes its themes from a few vantage points and builds to a big peak. It's got momentum to, like an econoline van rolling down a long hill, but it in a cinematic way. Sprawl II really brings it home beautifully: a synthy neon sound glowing over a dark gloaming. Favorites: Half Light II, Wasted Hours, Sprawl II
One of my all time favorite albums. The deluxe edition has an extended version of Wasted Hours that is incredible
Fantastic album. The start of this album so good, but I love the music throughout the whole album. It’s perfectly orchestrated and keeps the same vibe through the whole album. Favourite songs: - The suburbs - Modern man - Rococo
It's a great album but the lead singers accused transgressions taints their stuff a bit for me.
I don’t know how, but about half of this album sounds familiar to me, even though I have almost never listened to this band. Overall, it’s pretty good. Solid altpop. Nice transitions and range. Well produced. Can’t complain.
Not terrible…could listen to 3-4 songs if I heard them on a playlist or XM.
Booooorrrringgg
Not a big fan of indie rock, especially from around this year. Found this to be pretty forgettable.
The first two songs may be the best on the album. There are hits later in as well, but the album does drag a bit here and there. Regardless, it was an enjoyable listen and I will probably play it again.
Not a bad album. Video a little confusing for the first song. I didn't hate it, but not an album I would go out of my way to purchase. I rate it as "OK."
Not bad. A bit whiny at times for my taste, though much of the music from back then shared that characteristic.
I couldn’t get into this one. No songs grabbed me
Love Arcade Fire, this one doesn't quite grip me the same way as Funeral but still really enjoy it.
This is a truly great album. Sprawl II is a classic.
Watching 2000s dramas and hearing everyone love Arcade Fire or them on the soundtrack. I understand why.
I used to love Arcade Fire. Some of their songs are still good, but it has become abundantly clear that they are U2 for millennials. 3.3
meh
If it was my first listen i might’ve given it a 2/3 as I remember my first impression was very meh when this came out. It grew on me a lot and I think the first half of this album is perfect. I guess that’s the flaw of doing this challenge. I’m surprised the top review is aggressively negative, but looking at the authors top albums explains a lot, they just have shit taste.
I hear more of the *influences* they're calling back to than this band. Not bad, I don't mind it on, but I'm not going back to seek it out.
fajne 4/5
the transition into “city with no children” was fire. arcade fire.
Not horrible/not awesome, just ok. I think this album would grow on you if you listened to it a few times.
Давно не слушал этот альбом, в силу разных причин (первое имя которой "Уин"). Это хороший альбом, который будто бы очерчивает конец настоящего Аркейд Файа. Мне, в отличие от, кажется, многих, всё еще нравится Рефлектор, но, послушав в этот раз этот альбом, я осознал, насколько это другая группа. Вот эта вот пафосность некоторая и овердраматичность - я люблю такой Аркейд Файа. Инди инструменталистика, и такая разная, - супер. В альбоме чувствуется прогрессия, которой, вообще говоря, нет ни на одном другом альбоме Аркейд Файа: файа все больше и больше по ходу альбома. Я никогда не жил в сабурбах, тем не менее, и естественно осознать концепт трудновато. Может быть я бы чувствовал, что песни глупые и такие прямые, простые? Хороший альбом. Лучшая песня - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).
Really enjoyed this album. It was the right tempo, lyrics were meaningful, and the atmosphere of the record resonated with me.
It feels like an indie-rock Bruce Springsteen album about the suburbs. I like it a lot but it feels like it keeps going without a lot of variation.
a Great album, it's going on the rotation
Arcade Fire are one of those bands that I've been meaning to get into for ages, but just never got round to them. And wow am I glad that I have finally had a reason to listen to them, because this album really goes hard. The vocals are just emotive enought to make me emotional, but not so much that they feel cringey. I love the diversity in instruments here too. Nothing ever feels like it's too much, and all sorts of instruments are used in ways that feel so natural and blend seemlessly into the album. I really want to give this album a 5/5, but looking through the other albums I have rated a 5, I just feel like it doesn't quite fit. I can't find any specific things to criticize, but I know that there are maybe just a few corners to polish off for this album to be a 5 for me.
Meh... but better than a 2.
I have never liked Arcade Fire, but knowing that there is a creep in the band. It makes it hard for me to separate artist from art on this one. I would have given this a 2 or 3, it's pretty bland, but I can't bring myself to really listen to it.
Win Butler is a bad person! Ok, with that out of the way… As is typically the case with hour-plus length albums, there is some material here that should have been cut. The entire middle portion of this album is pretty bleh. However, this album starts and finishes incredibly strong, with the first three and last four songs really sticking in my head after finishing. The band absolutely nails the mood that it’s going for, as this album drips front to back with a feeling of claustrophobic anxiety and dissatisfaction. And while I’m not well-versed enough in the music of the time to know how groundbreaking their sound was, I picked up on a lot of things that would later be expanded on by 2010s indie rock acts like Awolnation. (This has the knock-on effect of making this album sound quite dated.) Overall, a very good work that needed trimming to be truly great. 4 stars.
2.5 I don’t need any more mediocre rock albums
Day39 - i’m blown away that even one arcade fire is considered essential much less two of these turds
The Suburbs have a distinctly Arcade Fire feel to it, from their third album release, they have really settled into their groove. Sitting firmly within the indie rock sphere, their use of strings and piano bring a timeless feel that is distinctly Arcade Fire, not sure how else to describe it. Best: The Suburbs Worst: City With No Children
Very good
Forgettable imo. Did not enjoy the instrumentation too much — boring, old, nothing new. Sounds derivative, but could be because indie acts soon followed the sound they created here. This band and their records are so hyped up that I had high expectations coming in. Can't say I hated it totally — I think Ready to Start, Modern Man, and Rococo were enjoyable songs. The record front to back sounds too similar and homogenous.
This was as bland as I remember it being...
I wasn’t a big fan of this album when it came out. I’d been listening to Arcade Fire for maybe a year or two, after my brother had gotten me to listen to Funeral and Neon Bible. I was really into indie music at the time, and as great as 2010 was for the genre, I was pretty underwhelmed by The Suburbs. But as time has gone by, this album has really grown on me. This was my first time to revisit it in a long time, and I think this might be Arcade Fire’s best album. The overall sound of this album is incredible. There’re so many different elements to appreciate: from the urgent guitar sounds of “Ready to Start,” to the dreamy synth line on “Sprawl II,” the arrangements on this album are fantastic. There are so many songs on this album that can easily stand on their own, but the sum of the parts creates a larger work that’s beautiful to listen to. The production work on this album really stands out to me too; it's a huge improvement over Funeral, and it’s a relief that the things that make this album great are put front and center. Lyrically, this album does a fantastic job of exploring life in the suburbs, and all the things that make it unique, claustrophobic, and nostalgic. Like Win and Will Butler, I grew up in suburban Houston (not in The Woodlands, but in a ‘planned community’ that’s similar, but on a much smaller scale), and the things they sing about hit really close to home for me. Most of the people I went to school with felt the pull to leave our community to start their lives, but a good number of those people wound up coming back. I love that this album explores those forces that pull us back to our childhood communities: safety, family, and predictability in an ever-changing world. “Sprawl II” really hits the nail on the head though. Houston is known for its ridiculous levels of suburban sprawl, and while that sprawl may provide opportunities for some people (home ownership, safe communities, communities full of resources), what do we lose when we live in a sea of always expanding concrete? I could ruminate on these themes for several more paragraphs, but I’ll stop here. This is a beautiful album, and it’s an absolute joy to listen to, but the lyrics and the themes explored within this album make it something that still stands out over a decade later.
No
It all pretty much sounded the same.
It's pretty good but it doesn't have the juice that funeral had. The songs on this record don't feel as big to me
Arcade Fire worden toch vaak gebombardeerd tot de ''Gods of Indie Rock''. Dit vind ik altijd een beetje overtrokken, maar hun centrale plek in de indie boom van deze eeuw is onmiskenbaar. Ze beheersen vele elementen van genres die in deze stroom samenkomen, van retro synths die niet weg te denken zijn in het werk van indie pop bands, tot orkestrale composities die je dan weer vaak ziet in hedendaagse art/barok rock acts. Dit album is mij het bekendst van hun catalogus, en is misschien wel het beste voorbeeld van waarom ze zo'n sleutelpositie aannemen binnen de indiemuziek van de 21e eeuw. Ze blijven de prioriteit geven aan de wat bombastischere art rock zoals in 'Ready to Start' en 'Suburban War', maar geven ook ruimte aan wat rustigere indie rock zoals in de titelsong en 'Modern Man'. Ik heb het altijd het album gevonden die het meest inconsistent is, met een aantal van mijn favoriete AF songs, en een hele reeks oninteressante, inspiratieloze meuk. Toch apart voor een band die normaal grossiert in creativiteit. Na de eerste drie klassiekers, trappen we voor een song of 8 flink op de rem. Had hier liever wat vaker de vrouwelijke vocalen van Chassagne gehoord, die ik vaak beter vindt passen bij de band. Middenin deze reeks aan generieke muziek, die op elk indie album van die tijd te vinden is, doorbreekt 'Suburban War' wel de trend. Epische song, en één van de betere van het album. Leuk trouwens dat ze ook nog even de post-punk revival box weten af te tikken met 'Month of May', maar ook die valt niet geweldig. Maar dan komt toch nog een eindsprint, met de cinematische 'Deep Blue' die de juiste snaar raakt, en new wave song 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)'. Die laatste is voor mij de absolute highlight van het album, en vormt een brug naar hun volgende album, de dance-rock masterpiece 'Reflektor'. Oké het lijkt op Heart of Glass van Blondie, maar de moderne productie, gelaagdheid aan synths, en prachtige vocalen die zich trapsgewijs opbouwen creëren een track die laat zien dat synth-pop absoluut niet is overleden in de jaren 80. Het is retro in al zijn perfectie; niet blijven hangen in oude gewoontes, maar voortbouwen op nostalgische elementen. Dit was het nummer die de deur open zette voor James Murphy om zich te bemoeien met de band, en daar ben ik ze dankbaar voor. All in all, 50/50 aan klasse materiaal en mindere momenten. Het voelde nogal lang aan, net als deze review. Ondanks dat het album is opgebouwd rond het thema van alienation of suburban life en andere topics die het hart van de gemiddelde stadsgeograaf sneller laat kloppen, is het een verhaal met iets te veel saaie hoofdstukken. Een aantal grandioze momenten, maar als album doet hij het iets minder. 7/10 Highlights: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) The Suburbs Suburban War
The Suburbs was in 2010 mijn eerste kennismaking met Arcade Fire, We Used To Wait. Op iTunes moet het nog geweest zijn. Destijds niet zo onder de indruk, pas later heb beter naar Arcade Fire leren luisteren. En dat is het precies. Arcade Fire is net zoals de eerste biertjes in je puberteit. Je wilt het lekker vinden maar dat is het gewoon nog niet. Je moet het leren drinken. En omdat je Arcade Fire moet leren luisteren, blijft het altijd schommelen tussen legendarisch en snobistisch. Is het echt goed? Of wíl je het goed vinden? Bij the Suburbs vind ik dat nog steeds lastig. De bekende klanken van het opening-trio zijn legendarisch. Daar is geen speld tussen te krijgen. In de loop van het album zakt het in en begin ik me te irriteren aan de viooltjes en alle (snobistische) gedoetjes in de muziek. We Used to Wait is wel ijzersterk, Sprawl I vind ik matig, Sprawl II dan weer een heerlijke Indie-klassieker. Ik snap het niet! En kom op, je moet als luisteraar van goeie huize komen om zo ver als Sprawl II op het album te geraken. 16 nummers, 64 minuten. Wie maak je daar blij mee? Is meer wel echt beter? Is dat legendarisch of snobistisch? Ik ben er nog niet uit. 4/5 voor de indie-hits en het voordeel van de twijfel Highlights: The Suburbs Modern Man We Used to Wait Sprawl II
OK, but not special
# 158 : Its OK, I could listen to it, but I don't particularly rate Arcade Fire, so many Australian bands that sound the same, reminds me of the Go Betweens, I would go to them first, before spinning this again. Fav Track : Month Of May
Decent enough.
Decent but didn’t really go anywhere. Not their finest work. A low 3.
The Suburbs' was one of my favourite tracks of 2010. The rest of the album is great too. A melancholy tinged beauty runs through the whole thing. A low 4.
Calm and pleasant.
Meh
This has been a great discovery for me! I was aware of the band and had heard a few songs before, but never really gave them more than passing interest. This really is a great album that can be listened to from start to finish, and since it came up on here, I have done several times. I was really unsure if I was going to give it 4 or 5 stars, but considering the uncertainty, I've gone with 5, but consider it a 4.5. Really enjoyed this!
I got bored with it.. not awful but can’t imagine listening to it a lot.
Qué pasada!!!
Typical 2000s indie rock
Boring
I find Win Butler's voice grating but this album was saved from a 2* rating by the song "Suburban War." Also they should feature more of Regine Chassanne.
Never got into this band but they’re held in high acclaim. I like Ready to Start.
Loved this one. I was already familiar with Arcade Fire, but had not sit down to listen intently. I loved this album musically and thematically. It has a way of feeling new and nostalgic at the same time and provides some perspective and introspection. Will be listening to this more in the future.
Preferred The Funeral and Neon Bible. Too bad the lead singer is a creep.
schöner entspannter gitarrensound
Every morning when I see what album I have, I screenshot it and text it to my wife. We had extremely different upbringings, and have wildly different musical tastes, so it's fun to get her reactions of excitement, dislike, or even confusion for bands she's never heard of. Today's reply: "Meh." Nailed it. This album is aggressively mediocre. Most the songs sound pretty identical and it's so damn tedious. This album is what beige sounds like. It's inoffensive, sure, but goddamn. Do SOMETHING.
2010 me would have had this on constant rotation.
Enjoyable, slightly evocative of Mumford and Sons but nice to listen to
Great album
Favourite song - Ready to start
One of my favourites, Got me into Arcade Fire.
This is a good album in a style that I'm not entirely fond of. Broadly, the songs are competently written, and the lyrics are interesting, but this album also sounds shockingly underwhelmingly mixed for a 2010 album. If the mixing wasn't so flat on some of these songs, then I would be inclined to give this up to 10 more points, but as it stands, I can't give this more than an 80.
Didn’t love the album, but at least with this one, I can understand why the band is popular. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
I really like Funeral but have liked this band less with every subsequent album, stolen basketball, Disney collab and sex pest allegation. Trying to listen to The Suburbs today with unbiased ears, it’s okay. A bit too bombastic and pompous. Sprawl II is a good song. All in all, if it isn’t Funeral then I’d rather just skip it.
4x gehört gestern. Paar super Songs paar Songs sind nicht hängen geblieben. 3,5
- Mal ein Album, das ich tatsächlich schon oft in Gänze gehört habe. Und zwar meistens im Schulbus auf meinem IPod Touch. - Ich verbinde mit dem Album Spätsommer oder frühen Herbst. Angenehme Luft morgens. Ich rieche Sonnencreme in meinem Gesicht, obwohl es für T-Shirts schon fast etwas zu kalt war. Ich habe damals recht frei über den iTunes Account meines Vaters (über seine Kreditkarte) verfügt. Musik geshoppt. Sehr regelmäßig. Naja, immerhin besser als Musikpiraterie. Ich will aber nicht den Moralapostel spielen - bezahlt hab ich ja trotzdem nicht. Aber das ist eine andere Geschichte... Auf jeden Fall war dieses Album, dessen Interpreten ich vorher noch nie gehört hatte, auf allen Indie- und Alternative-Rock Charts zu der Zeit auf Platz 1. Da ich mich damals fast ausschließlich in diesem Genre bewegt habe, hatte ich quasi keine andere Möglichkeit als auf "Download" zu klicken... Von da an habe ich das Album regelmäßig auf dem Weg zur Schule gehört. - Was mich nach all den Jahren irgendwie fasziniert: Ich habe dieses Album wirklich etliche Male gehört und bis auf einige wenige Songs (z.B. The Suburbs, Ready To Start, Deep Blue) wollen die Songs einfach nicht in meinem Gedächtnis kleben bleiben. Das hatte ich schon damals. Ich konnte das Album mehrere Tage hintereinander hören und ich war mir beim erneuten Hören nicht sicher, ob ich die Songs schonmal gehört hatte oder nicht. - Normalerweise würde ich das als negative Kritik anführen. Interessanter Weise geht es mir hier nicht so. Ich mag dieses Album genau so wie es ist. Der allover Sound auf dem Album ist das, was ich behalte, weniger die einzelnen Songs. Und dieser Sound ist ebensowenig greifbar, wie die Songs selber. Irgendwie melancholisch aber irgendwie auch motivierend und hoffnungsvoll. Und super entspannt. Ich empfinde die Platte zu keiner Sekunde anstrengend. - Wahrscheinlich trifft der Albumtitel "The Suburbs" den Nagel einfach auf den Kopf. Irgendwie ist in so einem Vorort / einer Kleinstadt irgendwie alles gleich. Nicht besonders aufregend. Daher auch diese Melancholie. Eigentlich will man raus da, die Welt entdecken. Aber eigentlich ist es da auch unfassbar schön und behütet und voller Erinnerungen. - All das ist für mich dieses Album. Auf einer Metaebene hab ich genau das zu der Zeit erlebt, als ich dieses Album das erste Mal gehört habe. - Abschließend: Ich habe Arcade Fire bewusst das letzte Mal zu dieser Zeit gehört. Das war ein absolut gelungener Flashback. Danke dafür! - Achja, und das Platten-Cover zählt zu meinen Lieblings-Artworks ever. Finde es einfach super schön und passend. Rating: 4,25/5
- Arcade Fire war für mich lange Zeit in einer Kategorie (nicht direkt vom Genre her) mit Radiohead: Anspruchsvolle, unkonventionelle Indie-Musik, die nicht unbedingt einstiegsfreundlich ist und von der Kritik in Grund und Boden gelobt wird. Der einzige Unterschied ist, dass ich irgendwann angefangen habe, Radiohead zu "verstehen". Das hat mich jetzt noch nicht zu einem absoluten Radiohead-Fan gemacht aber zu wesentlich Verständnis und einem größeren Zugang gegenüber deren Kunst geführt. Ich warte bei Arcade Fire noch auf diesen Moment, dass ich irgendwann begreife, warum die jetzt was ganz besonderes und nicht "nur" eine gute Indie-Band sind. - Was ich Arcade Fire zu Gute halten muss. Sie versprühen immer eine gewisse Leichtigkeit und Gelassenheit. - Die Songs sind breit arrangiert und abwechslungsreich komponiert. - Dennoch klickt es irgendwie nicht bei mir. Die Mucke von denen lässt mich (bisher) einfach kalt. Es fällt mir schwer, irgendetwas markantes, charakteristisches auszumachen, auch wenn ich sie per se nicht schlecht finde. es ist wie ein toll gezeichnetes Bild einer schönen Landschaft, wo man Handwerk, Idee und Endprodukt total wertschätzen kann, aber das Bild einen im Endeffekt nicht berührt. 3/5
Rating: 2,75 / 5 ⭐
Una sorpresa muy grata al encontrarme con este álbum, está justo a la altura
The album was definitely a vibe. I always seem to mistake Arcade Fire for Arctic Monkeys though. This time was no different.
Favorite tracks were Rococo and Wasted Hours. I wasn’t familiar with the most popular songs on the albums (first two tracks). Solid 3.5, enjoyable but not my new favorite.
Loys of good stuff here. Could be a 5 star review but some of this seems repetitive. I remember when this came out there was a link where you could put in your home address and then The Suburbs music video would play with Google Earth picture (and video?) of your house would be incorporated into the music video.
Their second-best album, one of my favorite albums, a modern classic. The only question is 4 (it does drag a little in the middle) or 5 (sprawl ii though…) stars. I think we’re going 4: as strong as the opening third and final third are, I think the middle third is mostly meh. First four songs + month of may + final four songs = perfect, unassailable, 36-minute record.
Hm ja, wat moet ik hiervan vinden? Het vorige album van Arcade Fire was prima. Dit is dat ook, er springt voor mij persoonlijk niets uit en ik heb niet echt een mening over hun muziek. Het vorige album had Intervention wat het voor mij echt redde omdat dat een heel mooi nummer is, dit album heeft niet zo'n nummer dat er zo uitspringt. Ik geef het 2 sterren, omdat ik er gewoon niet zoveel aan vind. Het voelt nogal 13 in een dozijn.
Not my cup of tea. Think the album is very of it's time, but doesn't personally stand the test of time.
Straight ass
It took me a long time to warm up to this album. I loved Funeral on first listen, and Neon Bible probably after 2-3 listens, but it took me probably until after the release of Reflektor to find myself enjoying most of this. Even though it’s probably Arcade Fire's second-most celebrated album, it’s probably my least favorite through Reflektor. It’s definitely less consistent than most of their other albums, the highs are high but there’s a lot of filler, I can’t stand “Rococo” or “Month of May”, and even right after listening again, there’s some more forgettable songs. I think if a few songs were cut and a few were rearranged to make this into a ~45 minute album, it would be more on par with Neon Bible in my mind as one of Arcade Fire’s greatest. Now, after having mostly criticized this album until now, I do still love this album. At one point it was in my top 100, and the two-part songs (“Half Light” I & II, “Sprawl” I & II, and to some extent “The Suburbs”) are highlights and some of the best tracks of Arcade Fire’s career. I know they started the multi-part songs on Funeral, but I still think that’s one of the more successful things they’ve done over their career, continuing into some of their best work on Reflektor and We.
I am such a radio girl...once again I like Arcade Fire's songs I've heard, but never listened to a whole album. Melodic, a little dreamy with a hard edge. Nice overall
4.5 but giving the 5 because its closer to that than a 4
Arcade Fire's peak. Supposedly. With the album infamously winning a Grammy to the confusion of Poptimist "Who the fuck is Arcade Fire" Twitter, it seemed like the Pitchfork-nerds had won and indie rock was gonna rule. And I've always felt to that sentiment: "Thanks to this album? Really?" Conventional discourse pegged this album as better than its predecessor Neon Bible. I disagree, this album is worse. It's supposedly "less epic, more stripped down" than Neon Bible. That's false, its bloody longer and too long. But also true, because it doesn't have quite the bombastic soundscape as Neon Bible. That honestly is a negative for me; how many albums can boast having a fucking church organ!??! With almost 15 years behind us and with the foresight that, no, indie rock did not Own Music, the question that remains is: is this actually a good album on its own or not? You'd be forgiven for thinking it is an album of the year, based on the first few tracks. The opening title track immediately introduces the premise of both nostalgia for as well as disgust of Suburbia via a fictional suburban effectively. The track leads nicely into the next track Ready to Start, a good barnburner. Rococo, Empty Room and City with No Children are a step up, each song creating a unique sonic different from the other, the first having slow decay of the decadent, the second mixing punk with chamber music, and the third doing Arcade Fire's trademark anthemics. However, the conceit of "stripped down Arcade Fire" means that, slowly over the course of the album, you notice the band reusing their sonic and lyrical tricks. Modern Man is a nice but inessential track. Both Half Light tracks are long and meandering, as is Suburban War. Month of May feels like a repeat of their previous punky song. And Wasted Hours sure feels like an apt title. By the time Deep Blue plays, I realised what was grating me. The basic songs put more focus on Win Butlers singing. Problem is, he sings very basic shit. Not necessarily wrong shit (you'll have to wait till the album Everything Now for that), but shit that doesn't make you go 'aha' or articulate a known feeling in a new, precise way. It's more like rote teenage shit we all wrote that is at best not very unique and at worst cringe. The album sputters on until the second-to-last song Sprawl II; a slice of pure, affirming synth-pop not by Win Butler but Regine Chassange. If only "Arcade Fire goes back to basics" was more like this. Usually when an artist is in their imperial phase, they tend to overdo stuff just to see what they can get away with. Fans will praise that stuff, while detractors look around confused, asking how everyone is overlooking the obvious problems. The Suburbs is Arcade Fire in their imperial phase, but for some reason they chose to both overindulge as well as strip back. In doing so, Arcade Fire turn their biggest strengths into their biggest weaknesses. Epic orchestras become an overreliance on everything-but-the-kitchen-sink instrumentation. Ambitious concepts become way too long pop songs. And the earnestness of the lyrics become very Basic lyrics by Win "I am a creep yet I describe myself being in an open relationship" Butler, sometimes so Basic they fall back into being pretentious. But that's a Reflektion for another time. Strong 3
It's fine I guess, I don't really get the concept though
Still does it for me
Solid, couple of hits
Nostalgie!
By 2010 Arcade Fire were my favourite band. I liked the singles they released preceding this album, but was there something missing? Where was that ethereal pixie dust they sprinkled on their first two records that made them sound like they were coming from a different world? With the odd exception, like Rococo, the songs on the album turned out to be surprisingly ‘normal’ in their instrumentation - Springsteen-esque, perhaps. I was on holiday in Devon when The Suburbs came out, in the same small town where I’d spent all the summers of my youth, but which was sadly lacking in somewhere you could buy compact discs. I waited at a bus stop for over an hour to get a ride to a Tesco in a nearby town to buy it; truly, these were different times. We Used To Wait indeed. My heart sank when I got there. It seemed I’d wasted a moderate amount of time and money for nothing. But hang on a second! There was one copy of The Suburbs left. I played it on our crappy old CD player and loved it. All these songs about nostalgia, growing up and change, in the place where I grew up and feel the most nostalgia for. It was gratifying that even when they wrote more ‘normal’ sounding songs, Arcade Fire connected with me in a way that most bands don’t. So while Funeral might be my favourite Arcade Fire album, The Suburbs means more to me, somehow.
Que decir. Me aburrí. Ni.
Eerste helft van het album een beetje saai, tweede helft beter: muzikaal en fleetwood mac-achtige sound.
I think it was repetitive near the end but enjoyed the first half a lot
What Kai said, like exactly.
I used to be anti-Arcade Fire for literally no reason. So this was good for me. The first two songs on the album are so good, back-to-back. For the rest of it, I found myself losing interest and forcing myself back to paying attention to the music. I guess that makes it 3 stars.
Jovial album. If you don’t dig them in high school though I don’t think it sticks. I loathe the last song too because Spotify plays it constantly as a recommendation when an album ends.
Couldn't finish it. Just can't stand this genre
chill chunky rock grooves, 00s optimism, would be a really good road-trip zone-out album on a sunny day, sounds like a less quirky vampire weekend, movie music. eh.
Antes de escuchar alguna de sus canciones pensaba que eran temas de The Cure.
Ok
Huge start! Five stars! Then dot dot dot big finish! I can't tell you what happened in the middle there.
This would’ve blown me away like…10 years ago (or would it? I remember the singles ok), but it was a slog for now me. Also the lead singer’s BEEN outed as a creep so it’s no loss 4 me.
There were a few misses for me, but this was surprisingly good for a band I had listened to a hand full of times in the past and wrote off as one I didn't like. The album is definitely making me take a second look at Arcade Fire.
The suburbs and deep blue and we used to wait were my favorites. Really loved
A Great Album.. like it a lot!
Indie rock vibes, but like didn't stand out to my ear.
I hadn't listened to this all the way through before, love The Suburbs and found Ready To Start alright but never made it much further each time I tried to listen to it. This time I did listen all the way through and there are some great songs on here - Rococo, Empty Room, Wasted Hours. Just dragged on a bit for me
Awesome
A bit too downbeat, but that one big track (Sprawl II) is very good
6.8
If I was 18 when this came out, I would probably be their biggest fan. This album is pretty fresh to my 50-something year old ears.
Great album. Deserves a spot on the wall 8/10
No skip album, great from front to back.
Good
Can't get into Arcade Fire. Not sure why
Indie gold.
Always rated this, but on a good listen through there’s some superb songs. Tails a bit towards the end but Sprawl II is a highlight to bring things back. First Five opening tracks are STRONG.
Really liked it. At one point I did feel like it was a bit long but maybe that’s because the past albums I’ve been getting on here have been shorter. Favorite: Empty Room
Arcade Fire is a band I had heard of but completely missed, it's been years hearing this album in particular is supposed to be an opus but I had stopped listening to new music. I was surprised that I recognized "Sprawl II (Mountains)", have heard it for years without knowing the band or name of the song. Real standout on the album for me. Overall I thought this was incredibly well-crafted, moody album, and that it wasn't for me. I think at a different time in my life, probably an adolescent in the suburbs, it would have spoken to me more. I appreciate the repeated themes, the weaving of similar lyrics throughout connecting many songs together. Not great for hyping up cardio tho. Would give a 4.25
Cannot describe with words!
Nostalgia factor earns an extra point
'we used to wait' hits differently in your 30s.
rly liked this
Idk
I've definitely been at a 2010s house party or two where this album has played. Easy listening for me; not particularly exciting but not at all bad. Gonna have Rococo stuck in my head forever. This is a solid 3.5 and I wish I could rate it as such.
A couple songs I dug. I liked the vibe overall. Not sure I’ll come back to the album as a whole.
Suburban.
Love the first four albums by Arcade Fire. Have listened to them each multiple times. In fact this is the first one I did listen to all the way through. Haven't listened to much of their stuff post Reflektor. And it's kind of hard to want to do that now with all that's come out about Win Butler. I mean I had heard that he was a real pretentious prick. But now it seems he's a pretentious prick who abuses his power to force women to do sexual things with him. I don't really have a problem separating the art from the artist. Especially since Win Butler is just one part of Arcade Fire it's just unfortunate that he's the front/main singer of the band.
That’s a masterpiece. 5 stars
I can't find anything that I love or hate about it. It's better than I thought it would be.
meh
Bra melodier. Svag 3
Opens really strong with the first song. Never quite reaches the same peak again imo but it's still all good throughout. Will I listen to again: 80%
Like this music. It is upbeat and pleasant to the listening ear. Has a nice beat one can dance to.
The album suffers from trying to hard to be indie when it wants to be a rock record. The best parts of the album are when they ditch the over done annoying indie vocals and just stick to making rock music.
The start of the rhythms reminded me of Passion Pit’s album, Manners, but the songs never hit a thematic high like Manners did. I never bothered to really listen to what the lyrics were, because the beats didn’t make me care. I did like the final song, Sprawl II, and I put it on repeat. They should ditch the lead singer and put the girl on wax.
I've tried to listen to this album before... it seems like something I "should" like, but I just can't get into it. I listened to it again, and it again just became non-descript background music... nothing particularly memorable, except maybe the "I used to wait" song from that old HTML5 chrome project...
😐
Probably giving some nostalgia points on this one as it was on repeat right after college when it seemed like I had no direction in life. Great mix of musical influences, instrumentation, and moods. Love the concept of this album and the lyrics.
19/100 Based on this scale: 1 star - 0 to 19 2 stars - 20 to 39 3 stars - 40 to 59 4 stars - 60 to 79 5 stars - 80 to 100 I'm a Montrealer, so I feel that it's my duty to like this. If so, I've failed in my duty. I don't understand why anyone would listen to something so mind-numbingly bland on purpose. I tried to give it two stars, because it's not quite as bad as some other albums to which I gave one star, but this doesn't deserve the second star, so I gave it 19/100, the maximum score for one star. Also, it's way too long. This is punishment. Half Moon Run would have been a much better option for this list.
I didn’t know about this album as an angsty teenager. As an adult, hits different 1/5
giving it a three because I can’t be bothered to listen to the whole thing (I will be better I just want to get this one out of the way to see if it lets me rate the next one). didn’t particularly enjoy ‘the suburbs’ as an opening track, something about that 2010’s jangly keyboard does not appeal to me and I don’t particularly like their vocal style… take a shot every time this man says ‘the kids’ there’s something so corny about that to me and I don’t think the lyricism is that good, but again I can’t judge much because I didn’t listen to the whole thing 👎🏻 pace and feel of ‘ready to start’ and ‘empty room’ was a bit more for me but I still feel like it fell a bit flat. sorry arcade fire I’m sure you’re great and defo one of those albums where if I grew up on it I’d love it but it just didn’t jump out to me
fave track: track 5, empty room final thoughts: take a shot every time this man says suburbs
8.5/10 the suburbs is an introspective view into the american dream as a whole. the feelings on this subject meander, sometimes you feel trapped and want to escape, but you can’t help but acknowledge that this is the place you learnt to drive, you grew up in and formed many childhood memories here. tracks range from showing pessimism about the state the suburbs will leave you in, dreamless and in a mundane point in life (modern man) to anarchy, wanting to reform and change where you live (month of may) but ultimately realising that this is the place that shaped you into the man you are today (wasted hours). the three dimensional approach this album takes towards living in the suburbs is what made me appreciate it so much, in my opinion it takes a certain level of maturity to see the good in something you hate. the lyrics on here do a good job in illustrating the town present in this album. it’s as if you live there yourself, experiencing what the narrator was going through himself. i enjoyed the vivid imagery displayed on the album’s run, nothing short of amazing! i think my only problem is the vocals, at times it gets really annoying and falls flat, void of emotion. also some tracks just feel incomplete, like they’re missing something?? then some of them are stupid like rococo??? yeah what the fuck was that, don’t attempt that stupid shit again. then there’s the runtime… i found myself feeling as if i was being forced to listen to this towards the end of the album. i feel like it shouldn’t have been as long as it was. but oh well.
Was not as captivating at the start, however I really liked how the songs became more connected towards the end of the album, and how it had an ending related to the start song. 5/10
Going to quote some other reviewers here, because I think they got it spot on. From Emily Mackay (NME) - “an album that combines mass accessibility with much greater ambition. Pretty much perfect, in other words – and despite their best efforts, listening to it feels just like coming home." From Alastair McKay (Uncut) - "[it] explores the badlands between safety and boredom. It's nostalgic, with a sense of future dread. There is pain and pleasure, loss and hope. It feels like the anesthetic is wearing off." While I don’t think it’s “perfect”, I do think it’s one of their strongest albums, maybe 2nd best after Funeral, and it’s one that gets better every time I listen to it and deserving of the accolades it garnered.
Tämä on ihan mukiinmenevä poprockbändi! Solid 3/5
Huikea levy ja mielestäni bändin paras. Tykkään melodiakoukuista ja nostalginen fiilis toimii sanojen kanssa todella hyvin. Sprawl II on aivan upea lopetus. Onhan tämä todella julkaisuvuotensa kuuloinen eikä tätä enää kovin usein tule pyöriteltyä. Mutta on silti mahdollisesti tuon indierockin kaupallisen kulta-ajan (2007-2013 ish) paras levy. Kertoo ajasta, että grammytkin jaettiin tällaiselle.
Tunnelmallinen levy ja kestänyt hyvin aikaakin -- ei siis tunnu miltään lähivuosien villitykseltä. 4/5
This album was better than the previous one I got from them, still not my type of rock though
Every song sounds the same to me.
Another good one from Arcade Fire, though not quite as good as Funeral.
nice
Quite boring in the beggining, and the end feels like the beggining. A cool album though, very well produced, I Just can't seallow Indie stuff yet. 2/5
This is not as good as "Funeral," which showed me that I should pay attention to Arcade Fire again, but it's a lovely album, sadly a bit longer than necessary. Nevertheless, I don't think Arcade Fire deserves 2 (or more?) spots on the 1001 list, especially given the amount of different stuff that was released around the globe until 2010 (Yes, the list is VERY English-centric, but we can always dream of seeing this excellent Arcade Fire album replaced by something interesting from Latin America for example)
Langweilig nach den ersten paar Songs, gegen Ende wieder besser. 3,5
This album plays jumprope with the line between Indie music feels I love and Indie music feels I hate. I guess it's only appropriate to put this review right down the middle then. Favorite track: City with No Children
Not really a fan, a bit boring
Very fond memories of this coming out and probably over-listening to it. It was nostalgic sounding then so it's double nostalgia. I think this is their best. Love the skipped beat on Modern Man. Favourite track is Sprawl II but love the whole thing
now THIS is an indie vibe that's considerably better than yesterday's listen. emotion-filled tracks with moving guitar strumming, natural acoustic drums, occasional orchestral samples and lyrics filled with a great amount of sentimental value and overall warm, although sometimes sad look back at a past time. if this album wasn't an album, it would be a long, yet pleasant drive across the north, ending the journey at your grandma's old trailer home.
some of the transitions were just phenomenal. i didn’t really vibe with some of the songs though, but there were a few i liked quite a bit.
This album has, and will continue to age well. I’m a fan of their other album, Farewell, and am happy to hear their other works being as good. 3.8
Classique, un super album du début jusqu'à la fin un peu long par contre 4.75
Bland middle of the road rock...its fine
Much more accessible throughout than the previous albums including Funeral. Doesn't seem to be any weak filler. Although the handful of hit songs are good, there aren't as many completely gold cup tunes as Funeral. Just generally listenable. Very good. I'm going to give it 3 rather than 4, but it is good
5/5. An almost perfect album. This is one of my favorite records of all time.
Bisschen Fleetwood Mac mäßig, ansonsten angenehm aber jetzt nichts bahnbrechendes finde ich.
Pretty dang great!
A solid album.
This is my favourite Arcade Fire record, and despite overplaying it it’s still undeniably good. Probably the last great record they did: everything else after it seemed to be made up of 3/4 incredible songs then lots of filler. It is a bit long, and there’s a couple of forgettable moments, but it’s forgiven given how good the rest of the record is. Biggest surprise for me is how few listens City With No Children has compared to other tracks on this. I always thought that was one of their big hitters from this
First full arcade fire album I've listened to, know a few singles and really like some of them. Struggle to say exactly what genre they are and what I like about these songs, they are quite dramatic and unexpectedly dark for what would otherwise be more straightforward indie. Wasn't sure about this album to start with but really liked the second half of it and on the second playthrough I was sold. There's a little bit of Brand New and Cursive in this, captures that dark, repetitive claustrophobic feeling very well. Weird that the frontman also turned out to be wrongun same as BN. Will definitely listen again.
Wouldn't call myself an Arcade Fire fan - as I've not listened to their music before. The Suburbs seems kind of pointless. I liked Wasted Hours, but having read the other reviews, I just don't get this album. I thought they were a bit more rockier than this sentimental, simplistic, laconic nonsense. Also, far too long.
If the album stopped at 2/3 the way through this might have been 5 stars but it just goes on for too long. I'll definitely give this another listen though because I feel it could grow on me. Highlights: The Suburbs Ready to Start Modern Man Suburban War
Wouldn't call myself an arcade fire fan, but I've listened to "funeral" before and enjoyed it. Really enjoyed this too as a whole, I agree with Graeme that it's too long. Lot of the middle of the album kinda blends together. Did find it all a bit fluffy, but maybe that's intentional, with the suburbs theme. If so, it's above me, although I have just picked it out, so perhaps not! 4.5
Great sound. Glad I listened to it
Solid album - almost my cup of tea, but I can't quite explain why I can't fully get into this album.
Not the best Arcade Fire album. That said, The Suburbs, Ready To Start and Month of May are excellent songs. But the album as a whole doesn't have enough bangers to make it great. Decent outing but they've done better. Win Butler remains punchable.
I'd never listened to this before, but really enjoyed it
Didn’t like it, too so and forgettable. First song is good, surprised by how popular they were 2/3***
It was ok - some songs alright but not my thing. Was inoffensive tho.
This was OK, 3 stars
Feels like every indie album since owes itself to this in a lot of ways
No skips. Easy listen.
This is awesome. Really solid and eclectic tunes. Favourite tracks: The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Rococo, Empty Room, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).
Started off quite strong, really liked the title track, but not enough hooks or variety imo and it all blended into one.
It was definitely my type of music! Lots of fun, however I didn't love it. Great, but not superb.
I thought Arcade Fire was okay back then and think about the same of them now...so they've got staying power, if you consider staying at fair-to-middlin' as "power." Definitely not a super power...more like a meh power.
Nice sounding poppy rock. Enjoyed it .
I was underwhelmed by this album when it was released and haven't listened to it again until now. Trust me, it isn't half as good as you think it is, and then half as good as that. Overhyped.
great :D
Love arcade fire and this album. Some tracks aren't the best but overall it's pretty great.
Bella la struttura dell'album, per me troppo monotematico. Month of may vince migliore canzone ho deciso
cool rhythms on "Modern Man", other than that not very memorable, it's not bland or anything, just not really my cup of tea, they definitely do have their own sound
The first couple of tracks are better than anything on their debut, though still instrumentally overburdened, but by the halfway mark the Arcade Fire had ground me down with their relentless pretentiousness. This is paper mache melodrama filmed in IMAX, no varnish spared. This time I do recognise a knack for hooks and stomps to go with empty climaxes, the lead songwriter’s speciality I have read. Lyrically, I close-listened to the last few tracks, and the paucity of concrete nouns outside vague, unanchored, oft-cliched analogy (“every corner of the earth”) is a giveaway: they’ve little to say, just the mundane usual, pumped-up with cheap obscurity. Simon, you may ask for an example of expensive obscurity: Bowie, if I’m being peaceable, but as it’s my birthday I’m throwing Scott Walker at you with a moronic giggle x
I probably listened to this all the way through less than twice when it came out, then placed it at the back of the digital shelf. A decade later and no hidden surprises are revealed: starts well enough, but quickly sags and never really recovers apart from the fabulous "Sprawl II", a well-executed Blondie pastiche. Shame
3.25
This is my second Arcade Fire album. They are to American alternative rock as British comedy is to American comedy. It's quality alternative rock but it's kind of dry. Everything feels sort of flat which makes it hard to get all too excited about it.
It's good but don't get the hype
This was added to my library. Don’t know how this never made it on to my radar? I loved it. Favorite song: Ready to Start Least favorite: Rococo
Listen, I just like Arcade Fire.
On kyllä harmitonta ja väritöntä rokkia. Ei tästä mitään jää mieleen, ei hyvässä eikä pahassa.
Album 242 of 1001 Arcade Fire - The Suburbs Good album. As I listened, I kept thinking of other bands who each song reminded me of. That could be good or bad.
This was never my favourite Arcade Fire album and I'm not entirely sure why. A lot of the tracks are great and Sprawl II in particular has to be a career highlight.
Production is pretty disjointed but likely a reflection of the overall message and genre typicalities. Not my favorite style of this type of album but has some highlights. Closing 2 tracks seem to tie it together well. 3.5/5
Had to look this band up. Found out they were Canadian which is pretty cool. But they are from Montreal which may be the reason why I didn’t connect with this album as much as others online did. Still a solid indie-rock album not sure anything off it would make it into my normal rotation though.
It was an enjoyable and satisfying album. Nothing special, but I was happy not to get another punk album.
its kinda cool, sounds like a weirder coldplay with a more rock and happy vibes feel. i like their debut better, its more raw and in a way, closer to the strokes or something more rock and roll like that.
Bah jsp trop c'est bizarre à décrire les sons sont ecoutables, pas nul, pas bien, the suburbs est cool 2.5
No es un estilo que me encanta, pero hay varias canciones que si me gustaron,pero no sé si lo volvería a escuchar
This might be one of the most deserving of a 6/10 of any album I’ve listened to so far. I don’t have much experience with this genre, but what I have heard from other artists I enjoy much more. It just feels like it meanders on a little bit, and is slightly self indulgent in its own sound. There are certain parts of songs I like, but not entire songs. Like they are giving glimpses of something more interesting. Rococo has a cool build up in intensity with the strings and distorted guitar. Empty Room takes off at break neck speed, and is the first song on the album to have Régine on lead vocals. It’s short lived but powerful. That song and Month of May lead me to believe they had more of a rock focus for this, but there are still elements of chamber pop sprinkled throughout. I like the melody of the closing track, and how it keeps the same lyrical themes as the opener, which wraps the album up smoothly. Although I saw it coming while listening to it, this peaks in its first two songs, and doesn’t impress me with anything after that. Rating: 6/10
A modern masterpiece.
Не впечатлило.
Some bangers, some Meh. Liked this when it came out - an underwhelming Glastonbury performance put me off. Don’t leave it 13 years next time!
I like Arcade Fire. Is this their finest hour? Probably not.
Ready listening album, catchy songs
I always want to like Arcade Fire. I really love Sarah Neufeld and her solo stuff. Aren't they meant to be better than this? Guess I will keep trying.
One of those bands I should know better, but never give the time of day to. I feel like later 2000s indie for me is a blur of Killers, Strokes, Arctic Monekys, Tame Impala, these guys, plus many more, and I haven't yet separated it all out in my mind. Will definitely give these more of a run around. Some lovely tunes on here.
Don't normally listen to indie music but I really liked this one
Having never heard these guys, I’m glad I started this 1001 journey. Another solid from this band. They are quite good
a bit meh, prefer the later stuff.
Descobri recentemente e curti
J’aime leur travail polyphonique et comment ils bâtissent une architecture sonore. Mon bémol est que je trouve souvent l’interprétation un peu forcée
Solid. Knew the hits. Never listened to the whole album
it's alright
Superb album, brings back good memories
1) The Suburbs - 10,0 2) Ready To Start - 10,0 3) Modern Man - 10,0 4) Rococo - 9,5 5) Empty Room - 10,0 6) City With No Children - 10,0 7) Half Light I - 9,0 8) Half Light II (No Celebration) - 9,5 9) Suburban War - 10,0 10) Month Of May - 9,5 11) Wasted Hours - 9,5 12) Deep Blue - 9,5 13) We Used To Wait - 10,0 14) Sprawl I (Flatland) - 10,0 15) Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - 10,0 16) The Suburbs (Continued) - 10,0 TOTAL: 9,78 (98/100)
Got some bops
Geweldig! Misschien wel hun beste, maar ik vind kiezen moeilijk bij deze briljante band. Eindelijk weer eens 5 sterren!
Nooit helemaal mijn band geweest, maar toch best aardig.
Wat een ontzettend goed en fijn album is dit toch! Hier waren ze wat mij betreft echt op hun piek. Tegenwoordig maken ze zoetsappige ABBA-Songfestival muziek. Echt zo jammer. Dus dan dit album nog maar een keer op repeat.
Pretty good but feels kind of homogeneous - I get bored after a while
Dull. Insipid. Uninspiring.
3.75
Melancholisch angehauchter seichter Indie-Rock; Guter Blend von Stimme und Instrumente; Soundtrackesque
Known before: Band Standouts: Empty Room; City with no Children; Half Light I; Suburban War 7.5/10
Known Before: Band Standouts: 2. Ready To Start 6. City With No Children 8. Half Light 2 7.0
Known before: Album, Band, Standouts: 01. The Suburbs 02. Ready to start 05. Empty Room 08. Half Light II (No celebration) Rating: 8.0
Known Before: Band/One song Standouts: 1. The Suburbs 15. Sprawl II 6.5
First time through, so I can’t say for certain how I feel about this yet. I can say that I’d give this another listen in the near future. That’s pretty good for me.
Love this album.
Another decent entry by Arcade Fire. 3.5 stars.
After losing his virginity, and narrowly avoiding the cops our protagonist lays down on his bed. He puts his headphones on, smirks at the ceiling, and an arcade fire song plays as we fade to the credits. The scene could be at the end of any coming of age movie, and any song from this album. If you think that's an indictment of coming of age movies and this album, you're wrong, watching a coming of age movie is at least fun.
Great album. Especially when driving through the mountains!
so solid. sophisticated songwriting that pulls you in and in
I liked Arcade Fire when "Funeral" first came out, but their style of overly-sincere, orchestral indie-pop got old real fast. This one was a real slog. I'm glad it's over and look forward to avoiding Arcade Future from now on.
I must be the only person to have never listened to an Arcade Fire Album
I imagine this is what a barbecue in Tremont sounds like
Never understood the acclaim for this album. It's really quite boring. Sprawl II is the only redeeming factor.
Not the best, not the worst. This gets a middle of the road rating for how uninspired I feel after over an hour of meh.
It’s fine, kind of lacks the magic of the early AF stuff
Let me tell ya, when those opening notes of the title track kicked in to open the album, I was 17 again. What a deep and affecting dose of Indie nostalgia. Then the song ends with the final notes ringing out into the near-perfect Ready To Start. Gotta be one of the best 1-2 punches to kick off a record in the genre. Beautiful, affecting music. The rest of the record? Not so much. I like a track here or there but I associate Arcade Fire with the inconsistency very much on display here. What does a song like Deep Blue have to offer me that I don’t get from any other Indie band? Why would I listen to Sprawl II instead of like Passion Pit? There is of course also a little bit of a pall hanging over this group because of sexual misconduct allegations against Win Butler, but I’m not holding that against the rest of the group. What I will blame them for is creating a gigantic band which can so frequently produce a bland sound. It’s a shame the soaring highs seem to be met with such generic lows. Ultimately, an inconsistent and drawn out album. Top tracks: The Suburbs, Ready To Start, Modern Man, Suburban War, Month Of May, We Used To Wait
It’s a good album, and it has a couple certified bops, but it’s also strange. It feels very nostalgic for an event I was not a part of. It’s not a born in the wrong era thing because I feel it with both older and contemporary bands. It’s almost like this album is talking about an inside joke I’m not a part of. Overall good, but especially given recent events I probably won’t have a strong desire to relisten to this
I've been listening to this album whole week, never heard of Arcade Fire before. I know this album is long and not everything is perfect but for me this is huge surprise. Ready To Start and Suburban War are best songs at least for now, I'm sure I'm gonna listen to this a lot.
Sounds good. But overall kind of a snoozefest. A pleasant snoozefest.
Songs mostly blend together, Deep Blue stands out
There were a few decent songs. If you like oasis you will love it.
average at best
Meh
Uneventful Indie Rock.
Nice, chill, indiepop/rock. Relaxing and mellow
Или я просто не могу представить как это воспринималось десять лет назад, либо это и вправду слишком ординарно. хотя deep blue помасштабнее, 4 из 16. посредственный результат, тут скорее неплохо, продумано но без искры
4/5 Some nice dreamy rock. Must check their discography.
The Suburbs - 3/5 Feels like musically it doesn't really *go* anywhere. Sounds like music I'd hear in an indoor mall when I'm not really paying attention. A bit longer than it should be. Ready to Start - 3.5/5 This one has some much needed energy behind it, drums kinda carry. A solid groove. Loses a bit of it towards the end. Modern Man - 2/5 The instrumentation does something weird when "modern man" is said that I don't totally vibe with. Again lacking energy and longer than I'd care for. Rococo - 1/5 What is this intro-- whatever instrument they string in the background across the entirety of the song is not it. Lyrics are annoying. Empty Room - 4/5 THE ENERGY IS BACK! The multiple singers did not harmonize very well sometimes, other times it worked really well and added to the vibe. Jerry is tweaking. City With No Children - 3/5 This is the most "its fine" so far. The main groove is fine, doesn't build to anything, the multiple vocals is done again but much more sparsely and to a lesser effect. Lyrics are indeed based. Half Light 1 - 1.5/5 The lyric structure is completely all over the place. Instrumentation is monotonous. I don't see myself ever wanting to listen to this again. Half Light 2 - 3.5/5 The transition to Half Light 1 to 2 is expected but nonetheless appreciated. This one is a much better song than its counterpart. The song actually isn't the same thing for its entirety. Almost late-night nostalgia vibes? Suburban War - 3/5 Similar to the last song vibe-wise. I really like the melody from the guitar, but as a whole composition its kinda just eh. Lyric structure is strange again. Month of May - 3.5/5 Once again proving that if they use their drums right their songs can have energy. Verse structure I fuck with. I surprisingly liked "and around and around and around..." Wasted Hours - 2/5 The guitar sounds like its peaking throughout the song. It's a decent melody but a tad repetitive. When its essentially all vocal it's not bad. Deep Blue - 2/5 I don't imagine I'll remember this song in a day's time. Kinda just more generic stuff not dissimilar to everything else. We Used To Wait - 2/5 Intro sounded like "Money Money Money" by Abba for a split-second lmfao. Sounds like its going to build to a chorus with energy, does not. Sprawl 1 - 1/5 Lyric structure yet again is not fitting. Very slow and musically uninteresting. Doesn't even have the chill background vibes the other songs have. Doesn't even transition to Sprawl 2. Sprawl 2 3/5 - Certainly more interesting than the previous with female singer taking the lead. Actually pretty distinct too with some synth instrumentation and a recognizable chorus. A bit too long for my taste, cut the last minute (its literally just a slow fade out), pretty burnt at this point. The Suburbs (Continued) 1/5 - Very brief finale yet still not very good. Don't know why or when I'd listen to this again. Overall Thoughts: Decidedly not my cup of tea. Some of the songs are a decent groove or provide a very niche but enjoyable vibe-- others don't. When the songs have life and energy behind it, it's actually pretty enjoyable to listen along to. They don't really have a unique identity I feel? They don't really follow typical song structure of verse chorus verse chorus etc which can be fine but it also just kinda makes them all feel monotonous. Lyric structure is all over the place. They do not really know how to end a song other than instrumentation fade-out which is a pet peeve of mine. It's fine.
Gives me big big highschool Casa days vibes
Indie-pop-rock album that discuss the topic of growing up in suburbs into the very depth of it. Production and music is amazing and its accompanied with lyrics that makes you stop and rethink your potential experiences of moving away from place you used to grow and and what kind of person you might have become.
Classic
Not bad but not my jam.
It's all very good, but an hour of it is too much.