The Suburbs

Not been an Arcade Fire fan before, but this one blew me away. I think part of that corresponds to growing up in the American suburbs at this time. The concept hit me in the chest and the sprawling narrative kept me all the way through. There is a lot here, but the story is real and the songs are constructed in a way that make this a true masterpiece. Saved songs: - the Suburbs - Empty Room - city with No Children - Suburban War - deep blue - We Used to Wait - Sprawl II

Very good! Very very good!

Man if I'd heard this when I was really into alternative rock in high school it would've been my entire personality.

I never heard of them but I like the sound.

Okay this actually slaps. Took me a little bit to warm up to it. I think each song on its own is not a banger, but, as a cohesive body of work this album is great.

Opens with a bang. Flows from there. Great song after great song.

Really good but not my favourite

This is an album that once upon a time meant the world to me. In recent years, it's been a bit hard to revisit, in light of events that I won't go into detail about since I feel they're near inescapable with discussion of this band in recent years. But despite this... I still had damn near every word memorized upon relistening. Perhaps some things never lose that level of meaning, even if not quite the same as you used to think of them. Despite it all, this is an important album for me from a band that, even if slightly tainted now, had an impact on me.

LOVE this album. It's part of the regular rotation.

gives off pleasant nostalgic vibes !

Gran Mood, quasi shoegaze

Wow, pleasant surprise with this one. Liked it a lot; much more than their album Funeral, which is all I really knew them from. This one was so much more in my lane; I enjoyed almost every song.

Obviously a great album!

I find this music absolutely fascinating, ethereal and danceable, contemplative and reminiscent of a past you might've had. Night driving, thinking, dreaming living it's undeniably amazing

A+

AF’s best album as far as I’m concerned. Not that their first two aren’t close behind. I loved this band at the time this album came out and was just really happy that they kept improving up to this album. I think part of the reason that Reflektor was such a disappointment is because this album is so good.

Brilliant album. Captures that same nostalgic feeling I get from a packet of pom-bears or ‘1979’ by the Smashing Pumpkins. It’s just really good music. I listen to all the Arcade Fire studio albums semi-regularly and there isn’t a bad one (yet to listen to We). The Suburbs and Funeral are the best of the lot.

chill vibes

I listened to this in heavy rotation when it was new. My favorite album of Arcade Fire’s catalog, easily. City With No Children is also my favorite Arcade Fire song, so this is 5 stars for my taste.

So good

Great album, very nostalgic for me.

love the Suburbs maybe hasn't stood the test of time quite as well as some but I love it

Far more somber and introspective than the explosion of emotion in Funeral, but still an amazing expressive album.

Least favorite album from one of my favorite bands. Haven't listened to it in years & it's much better than I originally remembered. Aged pretty well imo

Quintessential indie record. Very relatable as a someone who grew up in the suburbs. "Pray to God I won't live to see the death of everything that's wild" hits really hard as I've seen the suburbs eat up wild places I explored as a kid and as the suburbs are eating up wild land in the city I currently live in. Sprawl II is one of my favorite indie songs of all time.

There is absolutely no way I can write an unbiased opinion on this record. How do I judge not only one of my favorite albums of all time, but one of the most formative and important albums for me personally? I remember the exact moment I listened to this record all the way through for the first time, because I remember when the day it was released. (though there is some dispute there, I don't know if it was all released at the same or just certain singles because the internet says August 3, 2010.) Either way, I was up on the promotion, I was familiar with "The Suburbs" and when I watched the interactive music video for "We Used to Wait" (collab with Google Earth) I felt like I was witnessing one of the most important moments in modern music. I do remember the moment I listened to it all the way through. It had to be during my first or second week of my first week of college. IE: the first week of my adult life. The first week of living on my own. I certainly didn't pay for the record, but I think Shane had just ripped it and shared it with all of us. I loaded it up on my iPod and I went for a bike ride around Ephraim. I remember riding around the entire perimeter of the town and listened to it all the way through. I did this multiple times with this record throughout my first semester. I remember not loving the title track first time through, but as Ready to Start came on, I was converted. Modern Man and Rococco were awesome, but not the "epic" that I was used too but they drew me in. There is a level of obscurity with the story telling and composition with many of the songs on this record. It sounded kind of unlike anything else at the time, and was different from the previous two records. Kind of new, kind of nostalgic, kind of jazz, kind of rock. This is true throughout the record, but most notable in the first third and after the middle. City With No Children was my first favorite song on the record. Simple, loud, anthem sounding. "Don't ever trust a millionaire quoting the sermon on the mount." It made me think. It made me uncomfortable. Suburban War was one of the most relatable songs I had ever heard "the music divides us into tribes, I chose my side you chose your side." It was sad, true, longing and deep. It meant a lot an 18 year old boy who's identity was wrapped up into indie bands. Month of May was such a jump from what I had liked about the band, but I loved how punk this song sounded. So awesome to make a song like this and just go for it! We Used to Wait still gives me chills to this day. I was converted after watching the video and then welcomed it warmly as I listened to it on the record. And obviously, Sprawl II was / is the best song on the record. (maybe best indie song of the decade?) I never gravitated towards Régine songs, but she killed it with this one. My roommates and I all learned to play this song, and we would jam this all the time. I'd play mandolin or guitar, Logan on guitar, Shane on his keys or with a floor tom. Danny banging on the floor tom or tambourine. We'd all sing and play at the top of our lungs. In the dorm, around the fire, wherever we could. This was the song of my freshmen year of college. I could write pages and pages about each song and what it means to me now and what it meant to me then. But I think the general theme is the same: becoming of age. Which is one of the most basic stories for any human experiencing life on this floating rock in space. However, its the connection at a moment in time that makes it so visceral. This album obviously stands on its own. I could write about the composition of each song musically and lyrically, but to me this record represents a moment in time when I was experiencing the theme of this record in real time. I was "becoming of age" when this record came out. I was leaving the suburbs and making sense of my youth and looking forward to what was next. I've listened to record thousands of times, and will continue doing so for the rest of my life. I'm forever grateful to have this one in my life then and now. So can you understand? Why I want a daughter while I'm still young I wanna hold her hand Show her some beauty before this damage is done But if it's too much to ask, if it's too much to ask Then send me a son

Saw them live after 1st album was out, in small concert hall, was unforgettable! In my memory they kept on changing roles the singer afterwards played guitar and then drums or whatever, the music of first three albums is really brilliant, including this one So 5 stars for this one, enervating music and the singer and most song makes you jumpy, nervous and right awake. All good things must end of course, two albums further they made the terrible song Everything Now, suddenly whole world into Arcade Fire, another band going for stadium rock. Saw them that year live at big pop festival and whole show was let's Party Party, feel Happy Happy. Come on, let other bands do that kind of stuff. Enough complaining, gonna listen to Suburbs another time

This is the first Arcade Fire album I remember being acutely aware of. As a Canadian indie stan who was 15 when this album dropped, it's hard to properly convey how important it was to me. The relatability of a concept album about growing up in the suburbs meant a lot to a small-town boy with limited experiences. The music, while still accessible in retrospect, pushed my boundaries at the time and activated my imagination. The strong, anthemic melodies throughout, the dynamic emotions...it felt right, like home. How funny that an album about nostalgia now has the power to evoke such emotions 14 years later. I adore this album, and I always will.

new like an old

Classic indie rock. I like what NME's reviewer Emily Mackay said, comparing The Suburbs to R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People in the sense of it being "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." Feels like coming home. I like it. It works. Classic.

Will gladly listen again

en otrolig jävla resa alltså

A perfect album, especially in the summer. No notes!

Awesome

I've listened to it before, it's a really good album from a really good band

Fantastic

One of my favourite bands and this album is packed full of great tracks. I've my tickets for their tour in July 2024.

So many classic indie bangers on this one. "Ready to Start" was my introduction to Arcade Fire back in high school, fantastic song. I probably heard it on SiriusXM Alt Nation. I've also been listening to "We Used to Wait" and "Deep Blue" for a long time, but I've only listened to the full album maybe once before this, so I'm glad this gave me a chance to revisit it. The entire thing holds up, even the deep cuts. Straight fire. I was supposed to see them live with Anthony and Kerri back in 2022 but I got Covid :( Favorite tracks: The Suburbs Ready to Start Empty Room Deep Blue We Used to Wait Sprawl II

An album so nice, I had to listen to it not once, not twice, but trice.

Ah!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited this album is so good. It perfectly encapsulates the golden era of mid 2000s indie. In my opinion: a masterpiece. In my top 10 albums of all time. No skips. I get so excited for the songs Regine sings, she is an icon. I've seen them live and her outfits always slay so hard I am in love with her she is so talented. She provides perfect backing vocals in songs where she isn't the lead. I love wills voice too. I may be a bit blinded by nostalgia but honestly every song still hits, would happily listen to this album every day. But the album itself is kind of about nostalgia? Fitting. It's haunting yet bright. Violins?? Are you kidding?? Screaming crying throwing up. The songs perfectly transition into each other. The violins in empty room and half light make me feral. The music video for the suburbs is also great. Arcade fire is great at layering, there's so much to dig into in each track. The whole album fits the theme of "suburbs" so well. Sprawl II is one of the best songs of all time. Top songs: The suburbs*** Ready to start*** Modern man** Rococo Empty room** City with no children Half light I** Half light II*** Suburban war*** Month of may Wasted hours Deep blue** We used to wait** Sprawl*** Sprawl II***************** The suburbs (continued)

Back in 2010 Arcade Fire had a stranglehold on the Indie rock scene and for good reason. To me The Suburbs sees them at their creative peak sonically and lyrically and out of their body of work is the material that continues to age the best. At points in this album their sound is energetic and driving and other times it is more subdued and spacious. The songs on this record flow from one into the next to create a soundscape that is as vast and expansive as the suburban sprawl they sing about. 5 Fav songs: Ready To Start Modern Man Empty Room Month of May We Used To Wait Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Such a seminal album for me. Arcade fire was IT for the indie scene at this time. I love love love this album so much and I think it holds up today.

Great album

Brilliant

The Suburbs Ready To Start Suburban War We Used To Wait Sprawl II

Lovedddd

This my shit

• Har undrat när den här ska dyka upp. Omslaget är en klassiker för mig, har fina färger, känns som nån retro bild med extra färg • Känns skönt att skippa det indiska albumet och få upp ett av mina favoritalbum • The Suburbs & Ready to Start bästa låtarna • De låtarna jag minns mest från när jag lyssnade på albumet på iTunes cirka 2012 är Modern Man, Rococo & City with No Children • Väldigt sammanhängande sound på alla låtar • De har alltid många numrerade låtar Betyg: Ingen överraskning här => 6/5

Jäkligt bra album. Många bangers o det känns som det hänger ihop på ett bra sätt. Trots att det är 60 min långt så tycker jag inte det blir tråkigt och flyter inte in i varandra

The best Arcade Fire album and a 10/10 in my book. It's claustrophobic and melancholic to the brim, and then Régine Chassagne lets out all frustrations on 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)' to show that there is still room for big dreams in a small town. Very corny, very relatable.

One of my friends once foolishly pointed to Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter as one of the prime examples of indie rock, should you introduce the genre to someone. Blasphemy. This is of course a much better answer. Maybe it’s even the answer?

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

Wow….I really, really like this album! However, repeated listens I believe will make me love this one. It gets 5 stars!

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.

Arcade Fire used to be so good didn't they

Fkin brill

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

This is a truly great album. Sprawl II is a classic.

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.

Really enjoyed this album. It was the right tempo, lyrics were meaningful, and the atmosphere of the record resonated with me.

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.

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!

Qué pasada!!!

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.

Great album

Favourite song - Ready to start

4.5 but giving the 5 because its closer to that than a 4

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.

The suburbs and deep blue and we used to wait were my favorites. Really loved

Awesome

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.

No skip album, great from front to back.

Good

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.

Cannot describe with words!

Nostalgia factor earns an extra point

rly liked this

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

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.

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.

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

5/5. An almost perfect album. This is one of my favorite records of all time.

Pretty dang great!

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.

Great sound. Glad I listened to it

No skips. Easy listen.

great :D

A modern masterpiece.

Don't normally listen to indie music but I really liked this one

Descobri recentemente e curti

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)

Geweldig! Misschien wel hun beste, maar ik vind kiezen moeilijk bij deze briljante band. Eindelijk weer eens 5 sterren!

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.

Love this album.

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.

average at best

Classic

A formative album for me. AF could have just repeated "you can never go home again" for 90min and it would have hit the same.

While this may not be a 5 star record for everyone, this record is the culmination of all the work that arcade fire put in with their previous LPs. It somehow reaches the climaxes of the first album, further explores production as an instrument (like neon bible started to do) and brings about somewhat universal themes in a tidy concept album. Loss of youth, loss of identity, anger and resentment of the lives we are living in the endless sprawl where we struggle to find our happiness and a place we would call home. For me this is 5 stars

I love it.

An important album in my life. It is unfortunate how far the frontman has fallen in terms of his behavior and conduct but this was one of the first indie bands and concerts I got into. This tour was unreal on how epic the music felt. Truly operatic in theme and intensity. Growing up in the suburbs feels more visceral with these tracks about adolescent wonder turning to angst and age. I’ll never not go back to this one.

Arcade Fire is one of my favourite bands, and The Suburbs is their third album. The album’s concept was inspired by the childhood of Win and William Butler, who grew up in a suburb of Houston, Texas The album features 16 tracks that vary in style and mood, but share a common theme of longing for something more. Some of the songs that stand out to me are “The Suburbs”, which is a catchy and poignant reflection on growing up in the suburbs; “Ready to Start”, which is a fast-paced and energetic anthem of rebellion; “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)”, which is a synth-pop dance track that expresses the desire to escape from the monotony of the sprawl; and “We Used to Wait”, which is a piano-driven ballad that contrasts the past and present modes of communication. The songs are richly orchestrated with strings, horns, keyboards, guitars, drums, and vocals. The band also uses various instruments such as accordions, harps, mandolins, xylophones, and percussions to create a diverse and layered sound. The album is a masterpiece of musical storytelling, as it captures the emotions and experiences of living in the suburbs. It is also a commentary on the social and cultural changes that have occurred in the past decades. The album resonates with me on a personal level. I listen to this album frequently, as it never fails to move me or make me think. The Suburbs is my second favourite Arcade Fire album, after Funeral. It’s really close between this and Funeral, but Funeral just pips it on run time, and the fact it came first. I still think this is an absolute beauty of an album and one I would give a full 5 stars rating.

"2009, 2010 wanna make a record how I felt then" -Month of May They crushed it. This album was already in the rotation for me, but reiterating here that it's an incredibly good one. I think this is basically peak 00s-10s indie/alt rock. The album is just so effective at capturing the feelings associated with a former suburban life (and it's not always positive or negative; there's despair or sorrow in there for sure, but also a sense of nostalgia as well). Musically it's also awesome, varied and consistently interesting, with very few misses. A number of classic songs too; The Suburbs is one of their most popular songs and Sprawl II is my personal favorite. Sprawl II also highlights the female vocals that are used on a few songs (and highly underutilized in my opinion). This is just a really great album where things just totally came together on one record. The topic might be a bit on the tame side for some, but that's ok. It's relatable for me and I'm really glad it exists. Favorite song: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Other: The Suburbs, Ready To Start, Modern Man, Rococo, Empty Room, Half Light I, Suburban War, Wasted Hours, Deep Blue 10/23/23

Essential Tracks: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) (Playlist) The Suburbs Modern Man Rococo

Era headlining

9/10. I really liked this. Definitely sounds like it was made in 2010, but in a good way, I find.

Just so great.

Probably one of the very few times the Grammy awards were right While I personally never grew up in anything like the album’s suburban environment, I can still interpret and understand the messages in the lyrics Echoing guitars and sweeping orchestras also beautifully convey the emotional themes of the album, which is carried all the way through from beginning to end Favourite tracks: The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Empty Room, City With no Children, Half Light II, Month of May, Wasted Hours, Deep Blue, We Used to Wait, Sprawl II

This album is so wonderful. This is one of several works that define the idea of 'album' to me.

Simple, calm and yet melancholy album that captures the feeling of suburban angst like lightening in a bottle

Love this album

Really good album. Very intresting sound, similar almost to Radiohead but more of their upbeat stuff and less artsy stuff. Has a good mix of enjoyable song to original and creative tones.

The first three Arcade Fire albums - Funeral, Neon Bible, and this one - are all incredible. In fact, it may be one of the greatest three-album starts by any band ever. There are great songs, anthems, complex arrangements, lyrics that make you think, and much more to like. Of the three, this one may be my least favorite. It drags a little at times, but it’s still a masterpiece in my book. 5 stars.

no skip!

fuck I really did hate them back in the day but they're just such classic little cute indie music where u imagine some cringe ass romantic gesture happening to it. It's CUTE and people that don't like it are AFRAID!

Great listen, I will be listening to it again.

Concept album + dynamic genres across the album and some really good themes and composition means 5 stars from me!

Arcade fire is good, I dont know why I dont LOVE them, but they are great

There aren't many albums from the past 15 years or so that I find brilliant but Arcade Fire's 'The Suburbs' is one of them. It's a very well made, high quality album musically, lyrically with so many great songs on it. They created a magical sound on this album and it works so well - it is majestic, and grandiose. Personally I can also relate to the album because I live in the suburbs of a big city and the theme of the songs speak to me so much. My favourite songs are Empty Room, City With No Children and Sprawl II (this might be my favorite Arcade Fire song from any of their albums). 5/5 without a doubt.

"Light" indie rock. First two songs are good and special in their own way. Modern Man feels just another song until the bridge comes in. Rococo has a really good instrumental, but this chorus "ROCOCOCOCOCO" is annoying. EMPTY ROOM BEST SONG City with no children has good harmonies and the "Halves" lights are incredible. Suburban War is a strange song, not bad but the only memorable thing is the outro. Month of May has a faster pace with the harmonies, and stands out too, and the next song comes to calm it down. Deep Blue is cool but the "lalala" isn't my favorite thing. We used to wait is a good song. Has cool lyrics and a nice rythm. Sprawl I is just normal, but II is something else. The last song is a perfect way to end this album.

Favourite tracks: ready to start; the suburbs; suburban war; month of may; city with no children; half light II, sprawl II

By far the best album by The Arcade Fire. It perfectly reflects the feeling of being young in suburban America. It's both comfortable and uneasy, with a longing to get out.

This is an album I've been looking forward to for a while because I've heard this is considered the best arcade fire album and I really wanted to like the last couple albums of theirs I've gotten on this list. Thankfully, this really lived up to the hype and is essentially banger after banger starting with the first track. I especially liked the suburbs, modern man, and sprawl 2. The mix of synths, keyboard, and vocals all work perfectly to create a vibe that makes me nostalgic for a decade I wasn't born in.

The Suburbs has flawless sequencing on CD, and the vinyl sequence is strictly better. It means the least in the titular suburbs, opens up the rest of Arcade Fire's discography, goes for far too long. Without a doubt one of the most indulgent artifacts of 2010s indie-rock, there's little sneering about it that can be dismissed. But even the rightly-criticized tracks are jewels, and this rating was a foregone conclusion when I started. Even after a year of Arcade Fire mostly-ignorance, this is an absolute favorite.

I hadn't really listened to Arcade Fire before, and honestly thought they weren't going to be my style. Boy was I wrong - this hits like Radiohead, has some great bangers, and is one hell of an emotional trip.

Awesome album, great

good album

Have listened dozens of times. Amazing.

Glorious Indie Rock/ Pop - shades of REM, Radiohead, even a bit of Ride and MBV here and there. An obvious 5 out of 5.

one of the great of last fifteen years

Beautifully crafted indie pop. Elements of electro/punk/folk/rock. The more I listen the higher the mark got. I’m going to try and find some time to dig in to the rest of their work.

Zalige plaat.

Bloody brilliant, arguably their last great album, followed by two of their worse, reflector had a few decent tracks on it. Everything now had the title track and the rest was dire. But this is class, sprawl is my personal highlight.

I was quite taken with this. More so than Funeral, I think. I wish I could listen to it all day tomorrow again.

I’ve been a huge fan of this album since it was released. It’s filled with great hooks that are twisted just enough to make this really unique yet still accessible. A not quite despairing but still somewhat futile paean to the suburbs.

Classic Indie Album

Absolutely fantastic, modern classic!

Verry 2010. Love it!

Rating: 10/10

Damn near a perfect album.

Every song lands an emotional hit. It doesn’t shred but the instrumentation is great.

The transition from The Suburbs to Ready To Start had me sold from the beginning.

Two Arcade Fire albums in a row. This is the superior one. 5/5

Another soft spot, first album I ever heard from them. Made sure to listen to the Deluxe version for the ultimate experience.

Ja erg goed album. Muzikaal waarschijnlijk beter dan Funeral, maar toch geniet ik daar iets meer van.

Great album. I’ve had it on reps since I saw the band in Boston in November. Before that I knew of them, but didn’t really know them. Now I listen to them all the time. 5/5 95/100

I really wanted to dunk on this album. Arcade Fire's latest albums have lost what made this band so special but hot damn The Suburbs absolutely brings it. No skips, great album apparently 19 year old me wasn't totally off base.

I've always been more partial to 'Funeral', but a few additional listens to this album has convinced me that it's largely on par. This is a fantastic collection of beautifully composed and incredibly varied songs, with each track contributing something to the overall whole and being worth a listen. I was also a huge fan of Regine Chassagne's more prominent role as far as vocals go, with her striking and airy tone enhancing so many of these songs, including the album's arguable highlight, 'Sprawl II'.

Sometimes I'm hit and miss on Arcade Fire. This album was a big ol' hit.

One of my favorite records of all time. Front to back, it is a classic. A characteristic of a great band is that they can write, record and perform quality songs in any style and no one is thinking, gee that was an odd departure from what this group is supposed to be playing. Zeppelin is possibly one of the best examples of that. Rock, metal, blues, folk, reggae, soul, anthems, ballads. No one seems to say, how does a band which authored Black Dog also put their names to Battle of Evermore, or Down By the Seaside, or D'yer Mak'er, or Since I've Been Loving You, or No Quarter - isn't it against the rules to be all over the map musically? Bands should stay within their lane and commit to a proven style and not confuse their audiences, right? Arcade Fire is one of those artists, like Prince, Beck, Bjork and the Beastie Boys who have thrown the rules out the window and who have writen and recorded whatever they wanted to express in whichever styles it has manifested itself as true creative forces. And particularly on this brilliant masterpiece. An unpredictable and satisfying rollercoaster, jumping from Ready to Start to City With No Children to the epic Suburban War (with hints of Springsteen) to the explosive Month of May ("how you gonna lift it with your arms.. folded.. tight..." Brilliant!) to the gem that is We Used to Wait. And seeing them live, I can say the tracks on this record translate solidly in the confines of places like Madison Square Garden, a true crucible for artists to prove the mettle of their songs. A perfect record.

muy nostálgico

I feel like I've already rated this 🤔 Anyway, it's lovely, takes me back to 2010

LEMBRO QUE EU DANCEI ESSA MÚSICA COM UM CAPACETE NA CABEÇA TERCEIRA MÚSICA AINDA MEXE COMIGO

a HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM ABOUT LIFE IN THE SUBURBS, AND THE SUBURBS IN LIFE. i ACCIDENTALLY HAD CAPS ON, IM NOT EDITING MY REVIEW.

It goes on and on, but captures that weird mixture of persistent drive and ennui. Beautiful in its own way.

I love this album. Following OK Computer? Wake me up, I think I’m in Heaven!

Excellent!

Excellent

Great album.

My favourite Arcade Fire album which is a big deal considering their discography. Fantastic

Such an amazing and personally important album for me. In 2010 when it came out, we were still in deep recession, I had a one year old son (but if it's too much to ask, send me a son), and I was experiencing parenting in a hyper-vigilant culture in a big city in an underwater house. This album powerfully described all of the above, pulling me into lyrics thick with nostalgia for my feral 1980s childhood "screaming and running through the yard." Of course the suburbs of my childhood had problems too, and this album doesn't shy away from them. The truly poetic lyrics plus driving guitar-heavy rock interspersed with moments of soft pathos and amazing catchy melodies- this album is so freaking addictive. Since getting it as my album I haven't wanted to hear anything else. It ends with this piece of pure poetry and philosophy: If I could have it back, All that time that we wasted, I'd only waste it again. If I could have it back, You know I'd love to waste it again and again and again.

Wow I love this album too!!!!!

Good album

Arcade Fire are titans of the indie rock genre and this album really showcases that. Probably the last time I came close to giving a shit about the Grammys too.

Ah, the music of my adolescence

Just awesome indie rock

Big sprawling and maximalist, just what the doctor ordered.

Damn okday the title track is a strong start. Rococo has this big booming stadium sound. and then into Empty Room! what a banger! Sprawl I and II are also great. This album is fabulous, I need to relisten to get a full sounding of it.

This album does many things right, but I must highlight the brilliant use of strings on many songs, that wasn't something I expected!

The question is not whether this is worthy of a 5. It is. The only debate is whether it is their greatest album. It is pretty much flawless it is the rare combination of concept album and great music. Saw them recently as they kicked off a world tour. This record still underpins their set list

Kam likes so I like

YAYYYYYY #love

Incredible album from an incredible band. The lyrics, production and instrumentals are wonderful. Admittedly I'm already a huge fan, but I feel like anyone can listen and enjoy this album. It's really disappointing what they released after this album, nothing hit me quite as hard as the first three albums. Hard to believe this was released 12 years ago.

Literal es el álbum de Arcade Fire que tiene más scrobbles en mi last.fm 9/10

Mi disco favorito de AF, muy nostálgico para mí y uno que considero de los mejores de la década pasada y de lo que llevamos del siglo,

Pretty great day I'm still sorry 5

This is a near perfect album for me. They haven't released anything before or since that I have liked but this one really gives me the feels. You can feel the city hollowing out, sucked in by the vacuousness of the suburbs. I was surprised it is an hour long because it has always felt fairly concise - a mark of exceptionally well crafted songs with something to say.

Stuffy, lively, does not bring misery.

Really enjoyed this one. The band seems able to write so many catchy hooks and well crafted songs

Goodie. Didn't know, but glad that i found it.

Ved gjenlytt blir det klart at dette er ett av mine absolutte favorittalbum: det er lyden av sensommer og brytningstid. Tror dette vil stå seg som et såkalt «viktig» album pga. både tematikk («tidsånden») og estetikk (lyden av indierock på 2000-tallet). Klassiker!

I had somehow managed to never listen to an Arcade Fire song, so this was a great introduction. I really adored the color and arrpeggiation of the chords and the interweaving of various instruments and styles. The reviews really hype up the lyrics so I'll have to listen again in order to grasp them. The mixing initially bothered me, but my ears got used to it. It was just challenging to have the guitars louder than the vocals.

Cracking tunes

This is a fabulous album. The driving beats and the excellent guitar work perfectly tuned to the vocals all combine for an absolute smash. Something about this music makes me feel comfortable and at home in my skin. I'm so psyched to go see two nights of AF later this year!

I think Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is one of the best debut albums of the 2000s. And of course, it is notoriously hard for bands to deliver lauded follow-ups to much-buzzed-about debuts. Arcade Fire came close to dispelling the curse of the sophomore slump with "Neon Bible." In fact, in terms of sales and acclaim, there was no dip. But "Funeral" was almost impossible to follow. "Neon Bible" still has an amazing start with "Black Mirror" and "Keep the Car Running," and "No Cars Go" is also terrific, but nothing in between really stands out in the way that "Funeral" was consistently terrific throughout. Their third album, "The Suburbs," solidified Arcade Fire as one of the best of their era. Like "Neon Bible" and to some extent "Funeral," "The Suburbs" is not quite a concept album - maybe a thematic album? I'm not sure I know of any band that built three straight albums around interesting conceptual themes the way Arcade Fire did. I don't really know how to describe Arcade Fire's music or what I like about it so much. It's evocative? Lyrically beautiful? Passionate and intense without being loud and brash? They weave together many different instruments without anything ever seeming out of place. They use a secondary lead singer with a very different voice and style sparingly and almost always in ways and places that fit the progression of the album. They seem to deeply mean and feel their music. Does any of this make sense? As a full album, I think I've listened to "Funeral" and "The Suburbs" more than any other album released this century? "Reflektor" (#4) and "Everything Now" (#5) didn't quite hit the same for me, and I've only listened to the whole thing a couple times each. But maybe I should give them another chance as I listen to "Funeral" and "The Suburbs" and recall how wonderful they are? Their newest, "WE," I have not listened to in full yet. From what I've heard, it may be more uneven, with highs ("Unconditional (Lookout Kid)" is fantastic) and lows ("Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)" is kind of insufferable). Has Arcade Fire's output faded over time? Is it impossible to maintain the kind of consistency they had early in their career? Regardless, with three standout albums and great songs sprinkled through three more, they earned a place as one of the best bands of the 21st century.

Majestic album, really hard to not like Arcade Fire.

This is one of my favorite albums ever. I used to hate it when it first came out. Compared to Neon Bible and Funeral, I thought it was boring and overly long. But it really grew on me and now it's one of my favorites. The opening run of songs is fantastic and Sprawl II is in the top 5 Arcade Fire songs of all time.

I distinctly remember disliking this at the time, but I have no idea what was wrong with me, it's a masterpiece. Epic soundscape, full of emotion, builds through the whole thing. What a fool I was to have missed out on this for so long!

Nostalgique moi ? serieusement ^^ haha on me l avait pas sor

Loved this! Amazing album 10/10

Nice and chill

I honestly don't know how they captured the feeling of drinking a cold Fanta while watching the sunset during the first day of summer break in musical form, but they did. I'm a sucker for this kind of "sad nostalgia". Sure worked on me, and I'm not even from the suburbs.

Probably my favourite of their albums. They performed it brilliantly live. SHACK'S wet dream....but with fewer kids obviously. ...the big silly nonce.

Gave me The Smiths energy and also Sprawl II ???? A bop

A seemingly post-apocalyptic look at my own childhood in a Texas suburb. Post-rock in places, indie-rock in others. 6/5 stars for this one. This album made me miss a place that I had forgotten that I forgot.

Great vibes

Good stuff

This is my favorite Arcade Fire album!

28th March 2022 Listened throughout the day working in the front room. Went to the cinema for screen unseen which turned out to be the novice. Jen hated it. What a record. Big, intimate, sprawling look at small town life. Arcade arguably at the peak of their powers.

Probably my favorite arcade fire album

This is not Arcade Fire's best album, but it is their most focused and complete. Nothing quite captures the despairing ennui of suburban life quite like The Suburbs. It's critical, of course - "dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains" isn't the most singable line, but they make it sound sickly sweet - but there are also touches of nostalgia (We Used to Wait and Rococo) to balance out the despair (City with No Children. among others) and outright panic (Month of May). It's a successful concept album that's more than the sum of its parts, but the parts are damn good to start with. Best track: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

El Hadra El 5amsa Me Rbo3 Etheleth Is Done. Good Days When It Comes To Work, It Just Started Paying. Thank You Lord

Much maligned due to its predecessors. I still love it. Really stands up. Less bangers and more a feeling!

Brilliant album.

I’ll never forget how baffled my famil was when this won album of the year

Remember being a kid in the summer of year two thousand something? That's what this album sounds like

Love Arcade Fire. Their 4 album run from Funeral - Reflektor includes some of my most formative music. When this album came out I think I likely ranked it 4th out of those 4 album (Funeral #1, Neon Bible #2, Reflecktor #3) but it seemed much stronger on this listen. Made me very nostalgic for guitar driven indie rock. Ready to Start is the clear highlight, but all of the first 3 songs are bangers. 4.5/5

Gostei muito desse álbum, principalmente ready to start.

Well, what a JOY that was. Really loved it. Arcade Fire are such a brilliant band. Weirdly one song went a bit ABBA at one point I thought, but I liked that about it. Such epic optimistic music - always puts you in a good mood. would love to see them like at some point

Arcade Fire perfectly encapsulates an aesthetic of the suburban dread that most modern Americans experience. Not only that, but sonically they found a sound that uniquely identifies them as major players in the 2010s indie rock scene two albums after their first.

Tbh I enjoyed this. No one song really stuck out to me, but it was a fun inoffensive listen that I would go back to one day.

irgendwie krass, aber man muss sich drauf einlassen

The title track is so good, but the album itself is just so-so. It hits the same as David Byrne's voice, a given track is either a total banger or bleh. I was happily surprised to hear Chassagne in Sprawl II. She has such a fun voice (see Sprawl II and Electric Blue). I dig the vibes. I don't identify so much with the trappings of suburban life it is presented in, but I enjoy the liminality of it all the same.

Review to follow hopefully

Arcade Fire is na het vorige album niet te lang in de kerk blijven hangen; en dan kom je er nog ongeschonden uit. De band lijkt intussen volwassen geworden en klaar voor hun eigen weg door de wereld. Met een degelijke hoofdroute, maar een jeugdige flexibele mindset voor kleine uitstapjes.

Their last good album I think. They fall off so hard after this one. Its prety good but Its also a bit bloated. Not an album or a band that I relistend to a lot but I like them.

I think the album cover sets the scene fantastically well for what you can expect from this – it sounds exactly like the sort of thing you'd chuck on to take a moment of reflection during a summer's evening along the coast after a long day at work. The tight, punchy mix serves to benefit the album, allowing its dense instrumentation of layered synths, driving strings, crisp snare hits, intricate bass lines and interlocking guitars to breathe and pop out at you. It's a loud sounding record, but one that is dynamic in its range and execution, where there is plentiful variety in how its tracks build towards towering conclusions beyond sheer volume and distortion. Although, slightly to its detriment, there are moments when the album tries to channel a more vigorous and visceral energy, which feel like a slight mismatch for the "kind" sonic template on offer. Lyrically, the album very much does what it says on the tin – detailing Win Butler's youthful urges to break free from his suburban surroundings, and his later realisations and regret of not embracing them and living in the moment. Although not quite comparable to my own experiences, it does feel somewhat relatable to my past grumbles over having lived in the relative arse end of nowhere for most of my life, but eventually coming to appreciate and even love my surroundings. The album's length is what holds me back from awarding full marks, where a bit of self-containment, particularly within its mid-section, could have served to strengthen its impact and make it more readily replayable. Nonetheless, by and large it is a triumph.

It's a bit uneven (much like Win Butler's character), but the best songs perfectly capture bittersweet suburban malaise

#relisten

Already listened to it.

Really incredible. In my head all these years, Arcade Fire was a hardcore rock band in the vein of Alexisonfire. I just didn’t expect this to be so light and listenable. I was hooked from the first two tracks. I’m disappointed that I never thought to explore this band at all previously. The album feels cinematic and I felt like I was riding in a car through the Suburbs, listening to a love letter to a life left behind.

I did like the songs that I already knew like: The Suburbs Sprawl II Ready to start So the most popular ones from te album. The rest ware ok.

This was a high school classic for me. I feel like I’ve grown out of it, but it’s still got some really incredible tracks there.

this was really good! Had not heard any of these before. Might rise on re-listening.

I need to listen to this again .

Enjoyed for a while but got too slow and moody by the end. Ready to Start a clear fave.

this album gave me very much coming-of-age indie film vibes. probably the thing i liked most about it was that it never felt like it was stuck in one genre. as the album slowly morphed from the first half to the second, i started hearing lots of elements similar to bon iver's stuff, and towards the end it sounded like the band cults with was pretty awesome. favorite songs: wasted hours, sprawl II (mountains beyond mountains)

Nice

16 songs Added to liked: -The Suburbs (already there) -Suburban War

While I haven’t loved their most recent stuff, I still consider Arcade Fire to be one of my favorite bands of all time. This one isn’t my number one, but it’s full of nostalgia for me. 4/4.5

fire fire fire

I liked this a lot. Need to listen to it some more. I added the title track to my playlist though all the songs were good.

Excelente, muito influente pra música indie.

An excellent album that I had honestly forgotten existed. Modern Man is one of my favourite Arcade Fire tracks but there any many more on here.

I really like some of the songs on this album but it is repetitive and there are some meh songs here too

A classic, looking forward to a relisten It's a shame they really lost their way but for about 3 and a half albums Arcade Fire were top of the game. Only reason this isn't a five is there's too much filler for my liking

Top notch

I've never been able to get really excited by these guys, but I also find them consistently compelling.

The Suburbs is clearly The Arcade Fire's best, most fully realized album. Their whole sound is built upon nostalgia and catharsis. Those big anthems, the moments of release. There are few things that can elicit more pure joy for me than an Arcade Fire climax, and building them on the backs of "remember when we were kids and life was easier, but now we're grown, and everything is complex" pricks my easily manipulated heart with the force of an avalanche. The Suburbs is chock full of those moments, ostensibly a concept album or a rock opera waiting to happen. By the time it gets to their crowning achievement, "Sprawl 11 (Mountains Beyond Mountains)," I'm putty in its hands. And Win Butler had to go do a bunch of stuff that was icky enough to rob all the purity out of that joy and greatly diminish its ability to land. I can still get there with Funeral because it is embedded in a time and place in my life that I cherish, so my own experiences can almost supersede my reservations. And there are moments on Reflektor that are so serene and cosmic that I temporarily forget all the bad stuff. But The Suburbs never took hold that way, and it is merely perfecting the Arcade Fire formula, so its moments aren't transcendent, and I honestly have no access to the "life is worth living so throw your arms wide open and breathe it in" catharsis that fuels every wonderful moment. Which, honestly, is just a huge bummer all around. A four-nearly-five star album that I just have no capacity to enjoy on its face any longer.

My opinion on Arcade Fire has evolved a bit lately. I've decided that they're like the Indie Rock version of Coldplay; they are both the cliches of their genre taken to completion. So, they're both very "cliche", but they are the best "pure" bands in their style. I think that this album does have some more unique-ness to it than the other Arcade Fire albums that have come up in my listening so far, but it still very much lives in its indie rock world. Favorite Song(s): Ready to Start, Rococo

Completamente mi vibra desde la secundaria, me encantó conocer a más artistas indies que comparten esta musicalidad, mis favorita fueron Ready To Start, The Suburbs, Deep Blue y Sprawl (1 y 2)

I haven't listened to this album in a very long time, and I seemed to forget how much I liked it. As soon as the record began I was reacting to each song almost as though I'd never heard them before, but also exactly as I'd remembered them. It was weird to have that feeling of knowing an album and forgetting how well I knew it. My only gripe with the album was its length. There are a few songs in the middle that could be cut and I think it would lead to an overall better listening experience. But even that being said, I don't actually dislike any of the songs. There are some that are just not as necessary. Standouts were The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Modern Man, and Sprawl II.

this album was very good! i love indie rock, and this is the album for it. my favorite song was modern man!

2010's alt staple album. It's a good listen

Послушал дважды. Второй раз чтобы расслышать. Хорошая сложная музыка. Надо поизучать творчество этих товарищей

Energetic and melancholic at the same time - took me on a journey to the past of the teen years.

4 גבוה אבל

Huge step up from first album imo, I like how it has a lot of Springsteen in the sound and it ends at just the right time for me so justifies the length (although on first listen Sprawl feels a little unnecessary even if good)

I really liked this album. Lots of great songs. I had listened to another album of theirs and this one was great as well

The only thing wrong with this album is that it didn't originally include the excellent (bonus) track "Speaking in Tongues" with David Byrne Edit: I just listened to it again and it is very annoying in parts. "Rococo" is awful. Endless references to "war" without actually clarifying what it is.

Really enjoyed this. First half was a lot better than the second, but still very solid. Best song was the opening track

balade dans la foret type shit

8/10

lowkey quite good, very chill, 3.5

Okay, I cannot put my finger on it but starting this album I really am liking the sound. I have not listened to Arcade Fire before, but I like the energy and overall tone. The first track moves into kind of a haunting tone while maintaining good pace, the thumping of the drum in the background, the vocals similar to like an "Arctic Monkeys" type. Gotta love the smooth transition to track 2. Yep this album is definitely a vibe. About halfway through the album, I am still very actively listening, I enjoy the overall tone and style, the vocals have intent behind them. I am a fan of Arcade Fire now, will definitely revisit the album in the future.

B+

A really good album that could have benefited from a shorter runtime. Many times the music invokes a somber hope while moving though life.

Good, mellow listen- hear on headphones while painting the living room

Great album but can only listen to it for a while before I need to move on.

Oh so nostalgic

Big beats and high emotion

Being from Quebec, I remember hearing a LOT of noise about Arcade Fire. And it's just okay? I don't hate it, and it's in fact very much in line with a lot of stuff I like to listen to. But I guess I was expecting more? 4/5 because it's still pretty good.

Liked it, actually

This album is a fine album but it is a step down from Neon Bible. That should have been on the list over this fella.

As an indie fan, I enjoyed this album. I had never listened to it before, although I am very sure I had listened to The Suburbs and Modern Man by chance at some point. Arcade Fire does what they do best on this album, they create songs that evoke emotion by having powerful builds. Their songs are really lowkey, effortless almost, which gives it a nostalgic flaire I think. The downsides to this album is that it was awfully long. It felt repetitive and meandering at times. Favorite Tracks: Suburbs Modern man Empty Room Wasted Hours Deep Blue

Great album, it starts and ends with the same strong theme, but I enjoyed many of the middle songs. It always leaves me wanting to listen to it again.

Good, but no where near as good as Funeral

So I always thought that I don't like Arcade Fire. Turns out I was wrong, this album is entirely my jam.

Charming.

Good album! Love them.

Like the vibes

I really liked it!

Lowkey sprawling.

have always liked this one

2026.04.29

Pretty good but not good enough to have all their albums on here lol

I get it won the Grammy (a choice that rightfully remains controversial), but it's not their best work. It starts out 5/5, ends 5/5, but kinda drags in the middle chunk. Great first 15 minutes, great last 20 minutes, and the other half an hour just kinda exists.

Really liked this, lots of big, anthemic songs with a slightly dark undertone, will give another listen

This hits close to home for me and is an indie classic at this point.

This was fantastic. I learned about Arcade Fire from Bowie, who was really big on them in the early 00s. I loved the first album and then wasn't crazy about the second album so I had never actually listened to this. Definitely going to listen again and I think on repeated listens it will probably become a 5 for me. They have interesting song structures and arrangements, I love the words and the melodies. Stellar record. 4 1/2 for sure - and only not a 5 because it's brand new to me. I did give Bebel Gilberto a "pristine 5" - so I may revise my vote later.

8/10

3,88 1. "Ready to Start" 2. "Suburban War" 3. "Month of May"

Love love loved but Neon Bible is still better 4/5

Really really good! Highlights are The Suburbs, Deep Blue, Empty Room

I like it, my first arcade fire album tbh. Such a morning drive vibe

This entire album hasn't held up as well as I hoped, and it particularly sags in the middle. You can count on Arcade Fire to dial up the pretentiousness with songs like "Rococo" and "Sprawl I," and I don't love the side-eye for The Woodlands that underscores the motif. Nevertheless, I think the anthems -- "Half Light," "Sprawl II," "We Used to Wait" -- still sound great. And I'd rank "Ready to Start" as one of the best first-song concert opening songs for any band, up there in its own way with "Kickstart My Heart" and "Thunderstruck."

Funeral is one of my favourite albums of all time; this is just an echo of that sound. Nice enough but nothing standout.

It was fun upbeat and I really enjoyed it

not special for me but good

I liked this a lot. This definitely more for me than Nenon Bible. This album has a weird feeling of nostalgia coming to an end. It feels like a coming of age film. Some songs were real growers that I liked way more than I originally thought I would. Yeah this was good, look forward to a relisten

Really good music. I enjoyed the mix of generes and sounds on the entire record. Also - always good to get a full album under your belt of a group that you’ve heard a lot about, but never actually engaged with this closely before.

Golf

Nice geeh-tars.

I really enjoyed this album.

This album is rich with layers and textures. Every song had me wondering what was next. An enjoyable listen that I will gladly do a more of in the future.

8.5/10