Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Middle-of-the-road Obama-era indie. Not much to say about it.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs Loved this when i was 15/16, strange hearing it again for the first time since the allegations against Win a couple of years ago. The music is great, grand, and anthemic. Not close to Funeral imo, not quite Reflektor, but slightly surpasses Neon Bible (don’t make me think about their last two albums) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Arcade Fire is a band that does the same thing over and over again with some slight tweaks. It's a strategy which really works for fans, and really doesn't work for me. That said, this is probably the strongest effort of theirs I've heard so far. It's just the kind of thing I can't get past - it's a weird amalgamation of Strokes-ish indie rock fused with freak-folk and a twist of '*stomp* "hey!"'. I respect the lengths to which they go in being artsy, but it ends up sounding like it's trying too hard. 7/10
Couple good songs
Four stars. (Yes, I'm a little biased cuz I've heard this before, and i loved it.)
nice i like
Pretty alrightish record, its nothing very memorable, there are good parts don't get me wrong but that's it: there is a great lack in consistency, which is a big flaw in my book. Overall fine listen but nothing really more. Favorite track: The suburbs. Overall score 5/10.
Sound is nice, not great, bit boring. Nothing original.
Album was very very good. I love the variation in the songs.
Their first three albums should be called A Sides, B Sides, and C Sides. Very little memorable here.
I fucking love this album. I first heard it when I was in highschool when I lived in the suburbs and it is so nostalgic to me. It has a melancholy to it that I can't really describe and haven't heard in any other album. It gives a very specific mood which I think is why it sticks out to me. If I had one complaint it is that they could have trimmed out a few songs. It feels 10 minutes too long and drags a bit in the middle. But 9/10 album in my opinion.
Aptly named. This album is so boring it makes me angry. A dramatic over correction to Neon Bible. I like Arcade Fire a lot, this is probably my least favorite album.
I've loved this album since it came out. I'm almost embarrassed to give it a 5 because I tend to want to reserve that for masterpieces that will stand the test of time. I don't know that this will. But I don't know I listened to it on repeat for the last 24 hours because I love it.
Bon, on ne va pas se mentir, quand Arcade Fire a raflé le Grammy de l'album de l'année en 2011, sous le nez d'Eminem et de Lady Gaga, j'ai eu un rictus. Le genre de rictus méprisant du vieux con qui a passé sa vie à défendre des groupes qui vendaient 500 copies de leurs vinyles et qui voyait là le triomphe ultime de l'indie-rock devenu mainstream, aseptisé, bon pour les publicitaires et les festivals sponsorisés par des marques de voitures. Arcade Fire, c'était devenu le groupe parfait pour ceux qui voulaient se donner un air cool sans jamais avoir mis les pieds dans une salle de concert poisseuse. Le U2 de la génération hipster. C'est donc avec un enthousiasme proche de celui d'un condamné à mort montant à l'échafaud que j'ai sorti "The Suburbs" de sa pochette pour l'écouter dans le cadre de ce projet. Dès les premières notes de piano du morceau-titre, une mélancolie étrangement familière s'installe. Ce n'est pas une tristesse feinte, pas une posture. C'est le son de l'ennui, le son de l'attente, le son de ces après-midis infinis passés à traîner dans des zones pavillonnaires où la seule perspective d'évasion était la route qui menait à la ville. "The Suburbs", c'est un putain de concept album, mais pas sur un voyage spatial ou une dystopie cyberpunk. Non, le concept, c'est la banlieue, la banlieue et la nostalgie, la banlieue comme purgatoire de l'adolescence. Et là, forcément, pour un mec comme moi, né en 1970 et qui a grandi dans un de ces lotissements sans âme où l'herbe était trop verte pour être honnête, c'est une putain de claque dans la gueule. Win Butler et sa bande ne chantent pas sur la banlieue de Houston ou de Montréal, ils chantent sur LA banlieue, cette entité universelle, ce non-lieu qui a façonné des générations entières. Ils parlent de la guerre des gosses entre quartiers ("Rococo"), des lettres qu'on attendait et qui n'arrivaient jamais ("We Used To Wait"), de cette sensation d'être coincé entre deux mondes, plus un enfant mais pas encore un adulte ("Wasted Hours"). Musicalement, c'est un monstre. Un disque-monde qui refuse de choisir son camp. On passe d'un rock tendu et nerveux qui rappelle Bowie période berlinoise à des envolées pop quasi euphoriques, de ballades au piano déchirantes à des morceaux portés par des synthés froids qui ne dépareilleraient pas sur un album de New Order. C'est long, c'est ambitieux, parfois jusqu'à l'excès. Et c'est peut-être là que le bât blesse légèrement, justifiant mon 4/5 et pas le sans-faute. C'est long, bordel. Par moment, on a l'impression que le groupe, enivré par sa propre fresque, a un peu de mal à conclure. Quelques titres auraient pu être resserrés, voire coupés, pour donner à l'ensemble une force de frappe encore plus dévastatrice. On sent le poids de l'oeuvre, la volonté de créer LE grand disque générationnel, et cette ambition, si elle est admirable, se paie parfois par une petite baisse de tension au milieu du second acte. On frôle la branlette intellectuelle, mais on n'y tombe jamais tout à fait, sauvé in extremis par une mélodie imparable ou un refrain qui vous prend aux tripes. Mais ne nous y trompons pas, c'est une critique de nanti. Car même dans ses moments les plus faibles, "The Suburbs" reste à des années-lumière de la production courante. C'est un album qui a une âme, une profondeur et une sincérité désarmantes. Il parle de la mémoire, de la façon dont les lieux nous façonnent et nous hantent, de ce sentiment doux-amer de regarder en arrière et de ne plus reconnaître ni l'endroit, ni le gamin qu'on était. C'est un disque sur le temps qui passe, écrit par des gens qui ont atteint la trentaine et qui jettent un regard perplexe sur leur propre jeunesse. Alors oui, Arcade Fire a gagné un Grammy, oui, ils remplissent des stades. Mais avec "The Suburbs", ils ont prouvé qu'on pouvait toucher le grand public sans renier l'intelligence, la complexité et, surtout, l'émotion. C'est un album adulte, réfléchi, et paradoxalement, un des disques les plus justes jamais écrits sur l'adolescence. J'ai commencé l'écoute avec un rictus, je l'ai terminée avec un pincement au cœur. Pas mal pour de l'indie-rock pour publicitaires. Un classique moderne, sans l'ombre d'un doute.
Solid album
It was fine. Good vibe. Not a lot of things I’ll be singing along to though.
Decent background music, but nothing that really grabbed me. 3/5
The were good once
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains and there’s no end in sight I need the darkness someone please hit the lights
On paper, I should have always been a huge Arcade Fire fan. I think they were just 2-3 years too old from my Indie-Music fandom. I have never listened to them like this, nor taken them seriously, which is weird because this should be right up my alley for taste... and... it is. It's incredible. I'm kicking myself for never taking them seriously. I absolutely love this and am going to revisit their entire discography. This rips Best Song: The Suburbs Rating: 9.5/10 (Incredible) Stars: 5/5
SOME TIMES I CAN'T BELIEVE IT
Oh wow I can't believe I've never listened to Arcade Fire. I'm a fan! Definitely something I'd put on again and really listen to the lyrics next time.
I have tried with this band before, and I didn't get it then. Perhaps I'll get it this time around. Feeling a bit apprehensive about the runtime of this, especially as I'm really skeptical of this band. Hope to be surprised. The Suburbs The piano riff is good. Decently vivid production. I enjoy the lyrics, has a great vibe. The chorus is fine, I like how the vocals are performed on it. The song plays itself out well. Decent. 3.5/5 Ready to Start Great transition. Love how the high pitched note from the previous song carries into this track. Great bassline. The guitar almost has a drone-like quality to it at certain points in the track which is largely unexpected for this type of music. Good. 4/5 Modern Man The guitar is pretty good, there are some decent melodies in there. The vocals feel a bit off. Impressed with how good it sounds, the clear and transparent mixing makes for a balanced instrumental. Decentm 3.5/5 Rococo The lyrics come off as a bit pretentious. Don't care much for that chorus. Annoying loud synths. Repetitive instrumental. The distortion is at least a bit interesting. Average. 2.5/5 Empty Room That's an awesome instrumental. Love the loud guitars and the distorted wailing in the background. Has a shoegazy vibe. Excellent energy. Love the change of vocals. Fantastic. 5/5 City With No Children Boring verse structure. Again, great overall sound. Don't care much for the chorus, off-putting effect. Did not like. 2/5 Half Light I Buildup sounds nice. The strings in the background add a lot of depth and contrasts well with the repetitve guitar riff. Pretty lyrics. Crescendoes into a great ending. Great. 4.5/5 Half Light II (No Celebration) Elements from the previous instrumental carry over into this one, makes for a decent continuation. Suffers a bit from a very obvious 2010s progression. Love the guitar sound. The vocals are just fine, I find the structure and the way the verses build up a bit stagnant. The delivery seems to create the desired effect, even if his voice isn't my favourite part of the album so far. Good. 4/5 Suburban War Another banging instrumental. The vocals are a bit unclear. Sentimental lyrics. Interesting reprise of the title track in the middle there. The instrumental switchup really was a great idea, adds another dimension to the track and really enhances its impact. Magnificently composed. Fantastic. 5/5 Month of May Don't know if I think this sound fits the rest of the albums vibe. Has some ok energy, but is a bit uninteresting. Doesn't have the same instrumental depth of previous tracks. Vocals don't do enough to save it. Has some decent writing in the lyrics. Average. 2.5/5 Wasted Hours Not much to say here, sounds pleasant. Cute sentimental little indie song that doesn't really do anything wrong, just doesn't do anything special either. Fine. 3/5 Deep Blue See previous song reaction. Perhaps has a little bit more going for it instrumentally and lyrically. I really like the harsh contrasting electric guitars that come in occasionally. Is a bit too long. Decent. 3.5/5 We Used To Wait The verses really don't feel like they conclude on anything. Builds up into a really unsatisfying climax. Feels like it would be better if they went even harder on the chorus, feels a bit too flat, lacking character and impact as a result. The "Wait for it" part genuinely doesn't work for because of this. I get the idea, but the execution feels a bit middling. Has its moments, but falls flat in the end. Average. 2.5/5 Sprawl I (Flatland) Haunting. Well written, feels personal and evocative. Understated and vocal focused so the instrumental takes an understandable backseat, though I do think it does its job as a supporting vehicle for the vocals to really deliver. While his voice isn't star tier, I do think he does a lot in his performance here to create a vivid picture and really convey the the story presented in the lyrics. Good. 4/5 Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) A really different vibe from the rest of the album, unexpected electronics. Catchy chorus. The synthy instrumental is really evocative. Definitely the most "pop" song on the album, but that shouldn't be a cause to dismiss its content. The lyrics are pretty great, and I find the inclusion of such a radically different song from the rest of the album to be a great creative choice and a breath of fresh air. Really effective track to put near the end of the album. Her voice is also pretty great for this type of song. Fantastic. 5/5 The Suburbs (Continued) Closes off the album well, wrapping up its themes and bringing the listener back to the start. A nice bookend. NA/5 Very varied sonically, but a bit inconsistent. Feels a bit half-baked at times, and has areas where it lacks a bit of punch. Instrumentally it's pretty creative when it allows itself to be, really liking how much every single member of the band gets to shine on different tracks. Love the strings and the many different ways the guitar is being used, throw in some lovely keys and a plucky bassline here and there and I'm sold. There's even some great work on the synth which genuinely was a pleasant surprise when it showed up most of the time. Lyrics and themes do stay consistent throughout, with many nostalgic, reflective and sentimental tracks about being young in a place which has changed and will never return, though they are presented differently throughout the tracklist. I'm sure there's more here to unpack on consequent listens. Not in love with the lead singers voice I'll have to admit, though he does have some performances which stand out here and there. Would finally like to shoutout the production as I feel its pretty much flawless and sounds great throughout. Overall would like to give it a higher score, but there are just too many tracks here that fizzle out or are just a bit too unengaging for me. Will probably return to. 3.5/5 leaning more towards 3/5 Fave track. Empty Room/Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Least fave track. City With No Children
An absolute classic
Interesting themes and imagery but I didn’t really like the songs when they first came out, nor do I really enjoy them now.
Wasn't expecting it to be good lol. Gotta love the vibes tho
Got kinda bored Sprawl II is cool, and Empty Room intro
Nostalgia and suburban malaise are things I think about a lot. And I’m sure there’s bands that make better music than Arcade Fire about these topics. But… none of them have Regine Chassagne on backing vocals and percussion
I like the overall flow of the album. Pretty "vibey".
Every song (and there’s far too many of them) starts out with an OK melody and rhythm and some cool production, before the loathsome vocalist joins in. Then the song drones on and on with no change whatsoever until the bands drives home the point that they are obnoxious, and only obnoxious. The best song is easily “Empty Room”. Not coincidentally, it’s much, much shorter and has a different vocalist. 1.5/5.0: Bad
the title of this perfectly encapsulates this album-an insipid manifestation of the suburbs themselves; a lifeless and boring soundscape to match the monotony of suburban life. the suburbs feels like the milquetoast hipster who lives next door trying way too hard to impress his equally insufferable friends. there are a few songs with redeeming qualities but even those wore out their welcome before the two-minute mark.
Ok album. Very drone like or ethereal.
Singles are great. Lots of filler
I had never heard of this band and album before. I like the indie sound and vibe. The music is full of longing. It’s the perfect soundtrack to some kind of obscure indie movie that makes you hurt all over your soul while watching although you don’t really understand all the intricacies of what’s actually going on. I think the song We Used to Wait is a good example of this. This song somehow deeply touched me. What I found interesting is the changes of perspectives that occur through some of the songs, e.g. children are described and a few lines later, the lyrical We / singer are /is these children. Very nice way to keep you engaged. The album contains several hints at feeling like living on the brink of societal collapse/ life after societal collapse. If this is the soundtrack to the apocalypse, it could be worse. But it could be better too. The sound does get repetitive after a few songs.
Decent but vocals a bit jarring after a while.
Another re-discovery. Solidly good album.
cold shit
I would consider The Suburbs to be the last truly great Arcade Fire record, and the final entry in a 3 album run as good as any band has ever released. I've loved this since it came out, and even if it doesn't spend the time in my ears that it once did, but I can confirm that it's still an absolutely fantastic listen.
Better on revisit than i’d expected. The sprawl is an all timer
Good indie rock, doesn’t really date itself to 2010s much as a first-time listener. A bit boring at times but overall a consistent and well made album.
Some enjoyable bits. 2.5
Most people will be in one of two categories relating to this album: 1) You were a teenager in 2010 and when this album came out it hit you hard. "Wow, they really get me, this is so meaningful." 2) You were not a teenager in 2010 and this album is a slightly annoying "soundtrack" to teenage angst, like every generation has. All of those "soundtracks" are basically Reddit's "I'm 13 and this is deep" subreddit in musical form. Unless it's your generation's, then it's the most profound shit ever. It is clear Arcade Fire is a talented group, but I found this album slightly annoying to listen to all the way through. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go listen to the Cure, they really get me.
Interesting. Not bad, not fantastic. 3 stars
a little long, but the highs hit hard. 3.5/5
The album is pretty good, i get why the people who love arcade fire, also talk about the singer writer and his ego. This is album is one of the few that are required listening, its weird, there are rare albums no matter what genre, move people and this one of them. if you go through is this whole list listen to this album. if possible listen to it on hifi and by your self first.
All the songs kinda sounded the same. But overall a feel good vibe from the album.
I think this was better than the other Arcade Fire album I had but this one also didn’t much for me. Just didn’t feel like anything special, I did quite enjoy Wasted Hours though, that was a fun bop.
I did listen to this, but I didn't finish it. It was pretty cool though he did an Arcade Fire album in MLC.
Pretty regular and comfy, but nothing stands out to me. Nice background music.
Great start. Lost interest about 5 songs in. Same as every Arcade Fire album.
Well, this is a bit of an anticlimax for my last album on this list. I've never found Arcade Fire all that inspiring, and it was kind of a let down to go out on an album that I will almost certainly think is okay and not much more. Anyway, onto my review. This album is okay and not much more. It's fun at times, but I've always found this group to be kinda bland. I'd say more, but I don't really want to, and I'm finally done with this list after more than 4 years of listening to an album every week day. I found lots of albums that I will cherish forever, and I also found out that I don't really care much for Arcade Fire. I looked back at my previous reviews for this band, and found my review for Neon Bible: "I don't know. They keep giving me Arcade Fire albums, and I keep finding them competent, but not spectacular. Maybe it's me, maybe it's Arcade Fire, but I must ask as I enter the endgame with this list, to respect my wishes and not make me review any more Arcade Fire albums at this time" This makes it kinda funny that I ended with this band, although it would have been a lot more cosmically funny to give me another Randy Newman album at the end of all this, given the terrible things I said about him in my previous review 3/5 or whatever, who cares?
Det er ganske bra men jeg elsker set ikke.
Overraskende bra, men kanskje litt kjedelig i lengden? Høres ut som en av inspirasjonskildene til Øystein Greni, ved siden av Zeppelin og Creedence
Ditta var kjedelig!!
1. Sprawl II 2. The Suburbs 3. Modern man/city with no children Digger at vi fikk et album fra 2010! Syntes neon bible er et perfekt album og the suburbs var en god oppfølger. Eneste jeg ikke digger med Arcade Fire er at lydmixen kan være litt for 'grøtete' til tider. Og med Win Butler så krysser vi vel av perv nr 30?
Not for me. Very middling indie
Too long, too samey, songs not as good as the old ones and the same as them
# Album Name: The Suburbs # Artist: Arcade Fire # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Honestly, this is a great album. Loads of bangers on this record if you give it a chance. Its a dark horse. The biggest detraction from the album is the number of songs. Personally i dont mind as i enjoy most of the tracks but you could easily cut 3-4 out. # Top Tunes: Suburbs / Read to start / Modern man / Rococo / Ready to start / City with no children / H. Light 1 & 2 / Suburban war / Deep blue # Would I listen to it again? Def
I missed this at the time but it had an absolute chokehold on so many people I know. It’s pretty good and has some good emotional beats.
Love this album.
Альбом выпилен из ВК музыки, где я обычно слушаю его, поэтому я не знаю какие треки мне понравились, а такие были. В целом, он звучит очень похоже на многое, что звучало в 10-х и вообще отдаёт этим хипстеротамблеровским вайбом, что не так уж и плохо, на самом деле, а даже очень ностальгично. Сначала он мне показался слабоват, но в серединке есть даже шугейзово-нойзовые моменты, а это всегда радует. Музыка не должна хотеть понравиться всем, ибо рискует стать серой и скучной.
Really really good, every song on here was likeable, some clearly better than others in my opinion but the majority of these I really liked, highlights being the first three songs and from half light 2 to deep blue. Month of May was awesome, my personal favourite. The only thing that brings it down for me personally was it sometimes felt a bit too generically feel good but that’s not necessarily a bad thing it was just a bit too much on some songs. The theme of the album was cool with the whole suburban sprawl thing and the cover I like as well. Overall 8/10
5.4/10 Enjoyed a few, not my favorite kinda music. I still appreciate it Added 3
I expected a lot more from this record. I was a little disappointed. I wanted to love it. That said it’s three stars. It was fine.
I mean sure its not Motzart or Bach, but its a beautiful love letter to Suburban roots and the American dream. How difficult it is to press on the face of daily adversity. Advises the listener to take hold of their dreams and flea suburbia before its too late and your free will gets ground into a fine paste. I was far too naive to understand some of the intricacies of this album when I was 17, but it sure hits homes pretty damn hard. I'm pushin' thirty in my hometown still but with a great job and bright future. I still feel the push of desire and aspiration pulse through my blood. But will I ever break free from the Suburbs? I dunno, but musically speaking. Fabulous, not a 5 star album but Arcade Fire always had a solid indie sound and set the tone for late 2000's indie and 2010's indie for sure.
Very good indie rock album! Sometimes I feel like the tracks on this album go on a little longer than they should. I think if some of the tracks were only half as long, it would be a 5 star album. Half Light II is worth the trip!
Now some songs, however some not.
This album has basically one tempo. One that you can bob your head to as you move from song to song. The Suburbs is the track that carries it and it doesn’t look back. It’s not a bad album at all. Sort of in the lines of The Dandy Warhols. If you don’t know who they are, well, you should. Choice cut: The Suburbs
Third and final album on the list from AF, and even though they have moments of greatness, their albums are too uneven to be huge highlights of listening experience. City With No Children, Month of May and Sprawl II are the best tracks. 3/3 3-star albums
Nice album from a very good band.
the suburbs- 5 ready to start- 4 modern man- 4 rococo- 5 empty room- 5 or 6 city with no children- 5 half light i- 4 half light ii- 4 suburban war- 4 month of may- 4 its so boring i dont wanna listen to more
I remember a couple of these songs being really popular at the time. Good for background music.
A few solid tracks - Sprawl 2 is pretty good
Cool unique sound but a lot of the tracks feel like they don’t go anywhere
Heard it when I was younger, dad’s a big fan. Can never really get past the 5th song when I listened to it
Pretty good concept album. Music is good for me, not spectacular but I don’t mind it.
Indie rock is a genre I'll never understand, but at least it's not country.
I think it was a pretty good in-the-background type of album, I'll forgive the fake ending of the album. There's only one problem with it, I didn't really vibe with it. Not my type, I think.
Bit disappointed hoped for better
Another complete surprise. This album is excellent.
A classic
Not
pretty relaxed, but nothing particular stands out about the album to me, good music, just not something I would return to. Still good music just not my style
Like it don't love it.
Mediocre
Eh
Critically acclaimed band, and I understand why. Doesn’t do much for me though.
Iconic for my youth
Better than I expected!
More of the same from Arcade Fire. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I’m just not huge into the genre. It isn’t bad, I just don’t think it’s ever going to be a “go-to” for me.
For me this feels like a return to form to funeral, an album I like a lot, after the neon bible somehow lacked for memorable songs, the hooks are back. I miss the more choral and his wife singing a lot though. I am pretty familiar with the Houston suburbs this was written about, and like their debut this really captures the feel, the ennui and possibilities that come with escape.
I found this album monotonous. They have a distinctive sound but a pretty narrow range IMHO
Really caught my attention with 'The Suburbs' and 'Ready to Start'. Lost some steam after that but still a blast.
Upbeat, easy to listen to, would listen again
I remember listening to this a decade or so ago when I was trying to get hip to indie rock or whatever this is. Back then I used to think all Indie rock of the mid-zeros was basically high treble songs about spatulas. This album pretty much confirmed my prejudice. Listening again didn't change this impression overall, but it did reveal some nuance. Some good tracks, some stuff worth going back to. Sprawl II is a pretty good track, but it also kind of sounds a lot like MGMT. Not an album I'll go back to, other than to maybe harvest a couple tracks for a "best of the zeros" rock playlist. (That playlist is pretty short).
Great album, no doubt. Some songs have just been a little overplayed and feel a bit dad indie rock but i can deal. my favorites are Suburban War and Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Góð plata. 2 geggjuð lög restin solid og uppbygging góð
Sprawl II is a fantastic track but the rest of the album was tough to listen to. The tempo might be decent but the melodies are slow, repetitive and boring. If they were trying to capture the feeling of living in the suburbs then I guess that's a success.
I do wish that whoever the female singer is would get more time to shine on this album, I find her more enjoyable to listen to than whoever the male vocalist is. She's on 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)' which is definitely a big highlight. An 80's vaporwave sounding track which is pretty dreamy. I wish there were more electronic and hard rock tracks. For every 'Empty Room' which is a catchy, upbeat hard rock delight where both singers harmonise well together, there's a dull meandering track. For every 'Month Of May' which has White Stripes or early Kings Of Leon vibes there's generic indie which you could hear from any band from the same era. For every 'Half Light II (No Celebration)' which is another great track, a real foot tapper that builds and builds as it goes on, there's boring filler. I liked this a lot more than the other album I had from this band, 'Neon Bible' and I do think I would enjoy this more with more listens.
Ok be of my favorite albums. It’s terrific.
Awesome. Not a dud on here
Bis auf wenige Ausnahmen leider sehr langweilig
First off: Nothing I criticize applies to "The Suburbs". However, the tracks tend to be too long, which makes the whole album cumbersome. I can't even recognize that a certain feeling should be conveyed or theme dealt with. Instead, this is a bundle of songs of which most have some kind of radio music character, but aren't catchy enough, and some that are more ballad-like, but the singer's voice is far too thin for that. MGMT without catchy synth tunes. Muse without fat drum beats. Depeche Mode without moody electronica. Still, a mix between MGMT, Muse, and Depeche Mode is something.
I was all prepared to shrug my shoulders at this album - pretty standard, middle of the road indie stuff from Canadian rockers Arcade fire, with a loose sort of concept theme of life in the suburbs, but one track made me sit up and listen. Month of May is a certified banger - a solid Krautrock beat and even a nod to the Ramones with a ‘1, 2, 3, 4’ lead in, and some great lines about ‘kids all standing with their arms folded tight’. I started listening a bit more closely to the lyrics, and there’s some nice stuff in here about run down shopping malls and soulless housing estates patrolled by police chasing kids on bikes, where you can’t even recognise the house you grew up in without looking at the numbers on the door. The last but one track is Sprawl II, which is a great 80s style vaporwave pastiche leading into the final section about the Suburbs. Malltastic!
That was surprisingly good. I loved Funeral back in the day, and didn't really give a lot of attention to their other records. Neon Bible was a bit painful to listen to. This is another story; the album is somewhat more coherent than Funeral, the songs tighter, the atmosphere nice, enough tension throughout the whole album to keep my attention up. The downside is that it sounds less "indie" and more "pop" and clean, but that's pretty OK due to the overall quality.
very whiny but i did enjoy a few songs
Oh yes. Her er det planlagt og gjennomført, transitions mellom bangere og dritbra indie.
It's fine, I can see how they were/are quite popular.
cancon gotta love it
Very boring
First album where I actually knew a song! Pretty good, I like some songs better than others. Probably my favorite of the three albums I’ve listened to so far
It's a solid album from top to bottom. Some highlights include: -Mountains Beyond Mountains -The Suburbs -Suburban War -Rococo -Modern Man This album does drag on for a little too long though.
I haven't listened to this album since probably 2011, and I came in assuming it was going to feel dated and overblown in retrospect. But damnit, this album has aged really well. I didn't remember half the tracks on here, and it's basically perfect beginning to end.
I'm not the biggest fan of them as a band, but this is a pretty damn great album.
A staple record from the 2000's earliest essential bands of indie rock.
Eh. I'm sure there's another life where I would have felt this more.
The Suburbs is so good. Album as a whole was also good but that song hits.
Up to and including City With No Children, I’m thinking “this is a five-star album, why is it so long since I last listened to it?” Then it starts to sag… They claw it back to four stars with Sprawl II though.
The Suburbs // Ready To Start // Modern Man // Half Light II // 3.5/5
Arcade Fire had some good songs
Didn’t know these dudes were from Montreal!
Great album! Would listen again.
perfect
An album about looking back on suburban childhood from a disillusioned adult vantage point. I like Arcade Fire quite a bit, but out of the albums of theirs that I know The Suburbs is the one I've listened to the least. It's nearly 15 years old but I only listened to it for the first time only about 6 months ago. It has a few songs I really like and nothing I really dislike. The opening track "The Suburbs" is superlative Arcade Fire, the band operating at its very best. If the whole album ran at this level it'd be an all-timer. This one evokes a strong emotional response for me but it's difficult to pin down. There's a kind of brokenness here... looking back at the expectations you used to have about the future, recognizing how off you were. It lands especially well this year as the wheels feel like they're beginning to come off American society. My favorite bit: "And all of the walls that they built in the seventies finally fall / And all of the houses they built in the seventies finally fall / Meant nothing at all / Meant nothing at all, it meant nothing." After that "Ready to Start" returns to a kind of baseline quality; it's fine. "Modern Man" is a pretty good one though; mostly kind of slower and more relaxed, but with some nice small builds. I can't decide how I feel about "Rococo" - is it too silly to fit tonally in the album, and does the seriousness of the delivery only make that worse? My favorite bit of it is... uh... "Rococo, rococo, rococo, rococo / Rococo, rococo, rococo, rococo." "City with No Children" is pretty strong. "You never trust a millionaire / Quoting the sermon on the mount / I used to think I was not like them / But I'm beginning to have my doubts." Then some tracks I like in the back half are "Month of May," Deep Blue," "We Used to Wait," and "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)." It wraps with "The Suburbs (Continued)," which sounds a bit like surveying the aftermath of a war. Right now I feel like the overall album here comes just shy of hitting 5 stars for me (I don't give out a ton of those) but it's definitely on the higher end of the 4s. It may just need a little nostalgic aging to nudge it up.
Ok, probably needs more listens for me to appreciate it.
The highs are high and the lows are.... eh. I really loved the first four songs, then the rest of the album has some bright spots but nothing compared to the front quarter.
When I started this album I really thought it was gonna be a 5. The first five songs (through Empty Room) are phenomenal. Unfortunately City With No Children on the songs lose their luster and interest (11 songs). Not a great album from a sequencing perspective imo. 3/5
The Arcade Fire album ‘Funeral’ held great significance to me. I was living in the suburbs, going to a community college, seeking culture desperately, but finding none. When I heard the Arcade Fire, I realized I’d found my vibe. There was darkness on that album, there was longing, but ultimately, there was triumph. This album (and the early ep) was in my cd rotation for years, even long after I moved to the city and found my scene. I’ve listened to it thousands of times and it still can bring tears to my eyes. It was the anthem of an era in my life. Neon Bible came out and I was already in a better place. But that’s not why that album didn’t achieve the same status in my heart. The Arcade Fire had mostly eschewed triumph to heighten the darkness of their sound and lyrics. That album still had some bangers, but despite my high hopes for Neon Bible, I had to press my hopes for future releases and write this one off as an intermediary album. Then, it finally came. The Suburbs. An album themed around the ennui I felt which immediately drew me to Arcade Fire in the first place. The Suburbs brought Arcade Fire into a new level commercial success and fame. No longer did they have that underground, artsy mystique. In making an album about the homogeny of our capitalist modern world, they embodied the very enemy they wished to portray. Basically all of the triumph from the Funeral days was traded out for misery. There are no fun moments on The Suburbs. The only moment I feel that energy which drew me to them in the first place is at the very end in The Sprawl II, easily the best song on this overlong and monotonous album. This one can make me cry and actually feel that old youthful Arcade Fire spirit, that immense longing to escape normality and enter a realm of unhindered expression. The Suburbs is where I gave up with the Arcade Fire. They’d grown as a band, but to me, in the wrong direction. That being said, this isn’t a bad album per se. The lyrics are simple and repetitive and actually pretty repetitive across their entire body of work, but at least they’re trying to pinpoint actual concerns that ‘keep people up at night,’ be that (even fifteen years ago) the threat of artificial intelligence, legacy and purpose, and overcoming cultural suppression. To me, it can’t be higher than a three, but it can’t be lower either.
It's all just a little too much. Like your vegan friend who can't stop talking about chicken farms.
Second album by this band and not much more to say about it. This also sounds very Radio Paradise and is also a 3 because it didn’t quite seize my attention enough for a 4.
Why are there multiple Arcade Fire albums on this list? All of them all sound the same -- surely one would have done
E wiiteri Band wo chli en faade biigschmack het will sie eigentlich uf de cancel-Liste isch. Aber da wird eus das Album präsentiert, also wird das Album au bewertet. De Start isch ja schomal uf em höchste indie-banger-niveau und gaht mit em zweite Song au grad wiiter, bim Rest vom Album het d Bangerigkeit immer meh nahglah mit einzelne Bangerhöchs. Sust e recht durchzognigi Bangermittelmässigkeit mit einzelne Sunnestrahle. Uf de Namittag nämmet d Banger meh ab bis uf de Abig wenig Bangers übrig bliibed. Im Süde mitere durchschnittsbangeratur vo 15°, im Mittelland e bangeratur vo 11°. Git im Tüüfdruckgebiet en Durchschnitt vo 3.5 - abgrundet uf 3 - verlorni Grichtsprozess Zrug zu dir Timon mit de restliche news: Danke Timon, zude Top Story: De Timon weiss ned welle Film de Basil M. Quotet. Enttüschend? Mer werdets gseh! Bis bald und Good Morning Album Klöpp!
The Söbörbs, was ein scheiss ort, aber au e fönny albumname. erinneret mich biz a LA fires vo dem Januar. Sound isch wahrsch det i de nöchi au entsprunge. Scho sehr gmüetlich musik, the track suburbs glaubs au de einzig woni kennt ha, aber au de besti. Ja für es 4i langeds aber leider glich nöd, sorry bröös
oi sorry for the late review also das album isch eigenltich grad zunnere richtige zit cho han müese de ganz tag mitem auto umefahre und es isch en guete wegbegleiter gsi - richtigi roadtrip musig es isch sehr stabili musig gsi mit au es paar bangers drinne leider dur mini abglenktheit vom autofahre hani die nöd gnauer chöne analysiere, aber ich weiss es hetts gha drum git das 3 pigmi bamboo flute tracks vom francis bebey Crazy people in town Eating bread and butter and honey And drinking black coffee and cola
eigentli müesst mer de siech boykottiere, aber willi halt glich es bizli es fundierts review han welle gäh (alles für de journalismus) heds mi glich wunder gnoh wie es ganzes album vo arcade fire tönt… abgseh go «The Suburbs» (s‘lied) hed mi das ganze recht chalt glah, aber ebe das chönt guet am grüsliche nachgschmack ih mim muul ligge, pfui p.s. @ basil: danke für‘s implementiere vomne quiz! han als erst gad a de besagti film müesse dänke aber bim beste wille nöd chönne erinnere wie er heisst also hani‘s müesse google :( sehr guete pull vo dir! 0 pünkt für de noah im quiz und wills rein musikalisch guet wär 2 abgrundeti pünkt für arcade fire
You can hear the care and time they took to craft this album if you cared to listen for it. A longing for a recreation of the past while realizing that any attempt at resurrection would feel inauthentic. The songs are fun to listen to while still being unique to the band. They’re experimental enough to be original and have something to say. Vocals, instrumentation, and production are all fine. Nothing bad there, but nothing stands out to me. Songwriting is very good at some parts, but flatter in others. I imagine it would be difficult to keep the momentum up for an album that’s over an hour, yet I don’t doubt that the subject matter warranted the time they yielded it. I enjoy this more with each listen, but it always gets to feeling repetitive with some songs. It’s great, I like it, go Arcade Fire. 4/5
I liked this album. I’m not sure why it made the list, it stays pretty mellow. Good rock, but nothing stood out. Nothing I’ll remember or repeat. The best part may be that it reminds me of a time when I was younger. And my friends were into this band.
This album has a strong start and finish but gets a bit drab and samey in the middle. It doesn't hit as hard as Funeral or Neon Bible, or arguably even Reflector. But it's still got a lot of great quality within it.
Not listening to albums by bad sex mans.
They do have a very nostalgic sound, but that didn't make to interesting. Just nothing that pulled me in lyrically or instrumentally.
I'm a fan of Arcade Fire but this album felt a bit subdued overall
I can't explain why, but this album sounds like a 2010's barista mustachioed hipster channeling Bruce Springsteen. My favorite tracks: Ready to Start, Half Light I, We Used to Wait
Arcade Fire is a group I knew by name only. I had some assumptions about the band in general. The name and the people who are typically fans are the token Coachella hipster; you know, skinny jeans, brown shoes, plaid or checkered shirt, also skinny, and that weird thing they do with their hands, you know, the behind the back hipster arm clasp thing. I imagined Arcade Fire was mumble-pop, white people who can't mumble rap, but they play instruments. The other issue for Arcade Fire is how pretentious reviews of their music are typically. Just read the Pitchfork review; Christ, are you serious..." I found the recording to be less politically pedantic than previous work."...dude, stop. The Suburbs is a great listen and an album that will hold up to the test of time. Arcade Fire put out a record that is a great cover to cover. Sure, a couple of tracks are not as good as the others, but in this case, the others are great tracks compared to similar music. People often compare this album to their direct experience with it, but I am unsure. The record is a collection of tracks that reflect where the members are from, what it was then, and how it changes when you return, which is the beauty of this album. Everything changes when you return, as the only constant is change, and change is the only constant. The album delivers, and it should be included in any collection.
This is a real pageant of an album. Lush orchestration, cohesive theme throughout, songs blending in to and referencing back to each other beautifully, and a soulful, reflective premise that inspired in me, by turns, nostalgia, an inchoate ache, sadness and joy. I would need to be captured more deeply on repeat listens for it to rise to 5 - on a first full listen, it’s a 4.
A lot of music in this genre can make me cringe. Maybe I was just in the right mood, but this one did have a bit of nostalgic sentimental magic for me. Made me miss growing up “Suburban War” was the best one
To be honest i’m shocked i’ve never listened to this one previously with the title track being particularly nostalgic to me as it was one of the few songs on my playlist (of which i overplayed to the point of being unable to listen to those tracks for years) when i went on my trip to Poland just before Covid-19 hit. Anyways, this album starts off incredibly strong. The aforementioned track ‘The Suburbs’ is catchy and nostalgic which then bridges nicely into the next track ‘Ready To Start’ with some lingering strings, following on from that is ‘Modern Man’ with its clever syncopation. AF have an interestingly spacial sound with the drums and vocals sounding almost as if they’re in a different room. Arcade Fire are unlikely to be my favourite band any time soon but their chord progression is undeniably incredible, not a single track whether I liked it or not had a song which fell flat due to each song always reaching a point of climax. 8/10 Nostalgic. Top Tracks -> The Suburbs -> Ready To Start -> Modern Man -> Half Light II (No Celebration) -> Suburban War
[[Living Room / Speakers ]] This felt like the beginning of the turn towards 'generic' indie rock anthems for them when I listened to them as a 19 year old. Today it fills me with a warm nostalgia. I don't take off points for the shallow lyricism and the one-note instrumentation on this one. Crazy that Will Butler was the one with a career that ended up having legs.
This is probably my favorite arcade fire album. An excellent indie rock experience.
Maybe it’s because I’m super tired today but nothing about this stuck out in particular to me. Decent enough to listen to maybe should listen to one more time on a more awake day and see if I like it more.
Absolute crap from start to finish. I wish I could’ve zero stars. I want my listening time back!
6.5/10. I did enjoy this on the whole. I preferred it when the album got a little more rocky in certain tracks. There were some nice riffs and catchy hooks to boot. However while all this is true I can't exactly say it moved mountains for me and as such ends up being an album that I liked but didn't 'love'.
Ironic that they sing about a lack of identity and make the most personalityfree music 3/5
I listened to this album very regularly. The last time was just this past weekend. Arcade Fire is my all-time favorite band, and it's hard to decide which of their albums is best. I think Neon Bible would win, but Funeral was the first. However, I saw the band touring again when they were promoting Suburbs. Anyway, this is a stellar album that I will continue to listen to for years to come.
not for me
Better than the last Arcade Fire album. I think my issue with this band is that the music has many layered sounds that build over a song, often in a kind of heavily emotional way - which is nice and effective when you hear one good song. But the albums are so long and this kind of sound is punishingly heavy over an hour plus long stretch. It's like being bludgeoned with a pretty club. The art is hard to appreciate while it's assaulting you
I like his voice a lot
Yeah nice!
Some great songs in here... some other are just ok
So very 2010s vibes but thoroughly enjoyable, so I'm not mad. 3.5/5
6/10 it's just not for me I don't think but I can tell it's influential. I am surprised it won grammy of the year when it was put out considering the only reason I know the album is because it was album of the year. I didn't finish listening I was on like the last 5 songs and skipped through them.
I remember vividly those Grammy awards in which an "unknown band" won the most important awards of the night. This is a great album indeed, I do think it has aged just fine.
Arcade Fire? More like Arcade SetMyselfonFire Christ this one was fucking boring. I was done at Rococo. Sprawl II was the only interesting song on this wet piece of cardboard disguised as a record. This is basically U2's Joshua Tree but with the dreadful 2010's radio-era production over the top. I got so impatient at the constant repetition I ended up skipping the latter quarter of most of the songs just to get through this without blowing my brains out. Dreadful. Sprawl 2 was good tho, but doesn't save this from a 1.
The Suburbs is an apt title, as much like the suburbs this albums a cruisey enough listening experience with all the nearby essentials you could want at the expense of incredibly homogenised standards and some irritating sounding people. About 5 tracks in I started just checking some of the songs ahead of me to see if anything different or more musically interesting was in store and was left not only disappointed but dreading the rest of this radio filler album.
Could not finish this as it sounded too much like everything played on commercial radio 2012-2015. I don’t know why you would go out of your way to listen to this.
One of my favourites in highschool Easy listening, overproduced, indie rock, and it holds up 9/10 Fav tracks - All of em
Revising a book and creating new editions is serious business! So you want to make sure to really add albums to this that live up to “albums you MUST listen to before you die”. 2010 produced a lot better than this, and though this has more accolades than a North Korean general, this book also has the gift of hindsight to look past that and see it in full context. Instead of choosing a great album that stands the test of time like Diamond Eyes or a very influential and groovy one like Innerspeaker we get the most middle of the road album possible. It’s well performed but my god this shit is BORING Highlights: Half Light I, Deep Blue, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
it doesnt suck ass like the rest i had to listen these past few days but its not good either
The auditory equivalent of watching paint dry. This is possibly the most boring album I've ever listened to. A lone star wouldn't be fair, because I don't think there is anything bad about the music. It's just incredibly dull, so two stars all I'm willing to give.
did not like
melhor do que eu lembrava. mas apenas ok (e como esse álbum QUERIA ser eterno pqp)
I love this album & recently revisited it. 5/5
A moody album with great songs that seem to flow together lyrically and musically. It feels like a rock opera. The two brothers in Arcade Fire are from The Woodlands in Texas, where I have a lot of family. It is a huge planned community- I can understand their melancholy.
Good fun. Regine's voice adds jeuje.
I love so many songs on this album and it definitely takes me to a specific post-graduate malaise I experienced when it came out. That said, I don't feel like it quite hits today like it did then. Maybe that sound now feels overdone by all the other musicians that have come after. I'd give this a 3.5, but rounding up because I plan on revisiting.
The first time I heard Sprawl 2 I was high on blow at a house party in Bellingham and there were pretty girls dancing all around the living room.
I really dug [most of] this. Completely not on my radar when it came out, but then again, my mainstay was reggaeton in those days. Despite my lack of emotional connection to it, it’s so reminiscent of what my 20s sounded like.
this is just one of those albums that hit me at the exact right time and place. the suburbs came out the day that i moved into a new house in austin and i listened to it on repeat while i painted the walls. aside from being the right age at the time for the album's themes to hit me like a freight train, it just feels like a texas record. there's so much melancholy, nostalgia, big open space within. aimlessly driving around a hot, texan august - this represents my time there in my memories. as a coda, the movie that ended up representing my time in Austin to me, Boyhood, which i briefly worked on, ends with Deep Blue. "here are my place and time, and here in my own skin i can finally begin"
When this came out 15 years ago I was a highschooler and I could not have been bothered, but listening now was a bit better than expected. There's definitely more compelling and timeless similar albums from this time, such as Helplessness Blues. With all that being said it does deserve at least another play. Rating 3.5
Eh
I didn't get into Arcade Fire until like the mid 2010's and this was the first album I listened to by them. Very underrated band IMO.
hacia falta que dure 4 horas el album
Day 31: The Suburbs - Arcade Fire. Arcade Fire album 2/3. This is the second Arcade Fire album that this generator assigned me this week. The album felt a little bit bloated, but overall, it is still a good listen. For some reason, I'm not too fond of its title track. It's the first Arcade Fire song that I've ever heard, and it opens this album. I just don't get its popularity. Beyond the title track, this album is a gas. It features indie rock that has been constructed in a beautiful and somewhat poetic manner. Despite being Canadian, I don't really listen to any Canadian artists besides Rush and occassionally Céline Dion. I'm probably missing out on a lot of stuff like this. From what I've seen so far, Arcade Fire are a great band. I find it shameful that this album was removed from later editions of "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", despite dreadful listens like "A Grand Don't Come For Free" and "Logical Progression" staying in the book. I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure that most people would rather listen to Arcade Fire than whatever those aforementioned albums. Personal Enjoyment: 4/5. How Much It Belongs Here: 4/5.
Really good
Very average … a couple of good songs stand out at the start but then fizzles out and I was bored by the end. There are better Arcade Fire albums.
Fire like it says in the name.
First two songs I was familiar with before and enjoyed. Both “Half lights” are really good, the other songs can be hit and miss for me, singer is uninteresting for me but he does the job well. Excellent flow from track to track, really smooth. Month of May is a standout for me
good but nothing stood out to me the way i wanted it to
Felt like the most of the songs were reaching some great peak but then it fizzles away. I think the music is fine just forgettable.
at least is better than Wilco. Sounds like old rock pop to me. Nothing original, nothing interesting.
Second third of the album has a filler vibe. But still a solid concept album with really good songs.
Favorite track(s): Sprawl II Will I revisit?: middle priority Current rating: 6/10, 3.5/5
Tja. Gaat een beetje van hot naar her, begin was super saai, einde was wel wat beter. Zou ‘m niet nog een keer luisteren.
Basic...very boring. I can't think of a more down the middle milquetoast album that I have listened to in the past 10 years. Lyrics are meh. I know they have their fans though...good for thee, not for me.
3/5 everything sounds the same, and I don’t like Indie rock, toooooo long. Plus side I liked a few songs way more than expected. About as mid as it gets for me
Third album from Arcade Fire so far, just about 1% of my list. I feel like 3 albums from them is too much out of 1000. I enjoyed all of them, they aren't spectacular but are listenable and each of them have some great parts to them. But I feel like one would have been enough. I liked Neon Bible the best and I would have been content to just leave it at that one. This record is probably my least favorite of the three that I've had. probably about 2.5/5 but will round up.
Seems like it wants to be a rock album but never really rocks. Seems like a toned down version of the killers.
Never listened before, surprisingly, was pleasantly surprised, will listen again so giving a high rating for this masterful blend of indie rock, baroque pop, and post-punk to create a sprawling, cinematic experience.
Not quite as good as the first 2 records, but not quite as far off as I remembered. Half Life I & II and Sprawl I & II were quite good.
this is fine. i'm just not in the mood for this at all. completely fine album. nothing much to say
Not awful just not my style. Wasn't a big fan of the singers voice.
The only thing I really knew about Arcade fire coming in was they had a large band. I've probably seen them on a late night show or two, and the album cover is familiar. Listening to this at first I was getting a Killers vibe. Not sure if that is genre accurate to compare the two, but then it turned more into a Meatloaf feel which is probably more of a stretch. Both arcade fire and meatloaf have a vibe that works well with me getting chores done. Just good background music that isn't too distracting. A few good tracks had me check in on the track names and apparently the two (four?) I liked the best were two-part tracks Half Light and Sprawl. Sprawl II sounded completely different from the rest of the album and was probably my favorite track, so that is what keeps me from going 5/5 even if it hit the track threshold I usually go by. Favorite track "Sprawl II" 4/5
Pretty chill and easy to listen to, maybe not super memorable
Listening to this driving around LA after the wildfires was a poem
Even though I'm not as into indie rock as I once was, I still think this is a great album. The first four songs on this album are fantastic. After that it kinda slows down but its still consistently good. The perfect coming-of-age album imo. Second best Arcade Fire album after "Funeral". Favorite track: Modern Man
As with the previous album by this group in the list, this wasn't bad, but sonically it just didn't appeal to me. The music and lyrics didn't manage to awaken an emotion or to make some sort of a connection with me.
какая-то бесконечная хуйня
First listen. Pretty good.
Surprisingly good. I have a soft spot for Arcade Fire though...
Honestly I remember it being better but I still think its amazing.
Enjoyed overall, very cinematic vibes for some of the songs.
Classic. Love. Ready to Start. City with no children. So many good ones.
First two songs were good. Felt it got pretty repetitive at a certain point. Definitely some good songs though. Modern man was the best one on the album.
Pretty good, little repetitive at some points but nice listen overall. You know what your getting after first few songs.
2 or 3 good songs. It feels like the same throughout the whole album. I’m definitely sure that this album removed the spot of a much better one on the lost. or maybe that’s why it’s called 1001 albums. the author just wanted to include this one for shits and giggles
3.87⭐️
One of the favorites.
This is a double album, so i'm not going to pretend that every track on here hit's the exact same, but the highs on this album are so unbelievably high. The Suburbs and Ready to Start is the perfect 1-2 combo to kick this album off, to then be followed by the brilliant Modern Man. City with No Children and Half Light 2? Wonderful. Suburban War and Month of May? Awesome. They can rock as well. We Used to Wait and Sprawl 2? Anthemic as hell. Sure this album is Millenial and pretentious as fuck, but it's so good who cares how seriously it's taking itself. 5 Stars. Good Album Cover as well.
First 3 songs made me think I was gonna really enjoy it, but fades into being totally un-noteworthy after that.
It was alright. Didn't get me vibing much
The sexual misconduct and general wankiness really make me like this album less than I used to, and I didn't used to like it that much.
This is a record from 2010, yet it sounds at least a decade older. I get that you want to include newer albums on this list, but really, include records that actually fit the sound design of that year.
Wait, this is the GOOD Arcade Fire album? Some good moments, but overall a snorefest
Pretty good. Good enough to listen to twice
Definitely needs to go into the rotation.
Pretty solid concept album. Kind of drags its way along though Some good songs: The Suburbs Ready to Start We Used to Wait Sprawl II
Its fine. Nothing jumped out at me as being special
So many favorited songs on this one.
I remember that when *The Suburbs* came out, I was largely disappointed. Compared to the first two LPs by Arcade Fire, which said what they had to say without getting lost in unnecessary detours, it was like the Canadian band were getting a little crushed by the weight of their own concept-album this time around. You could easily argue that said album would have been better without relatively underwhelming cuts such as "Half Lights" (I and II) or "Wasted Hours", for instance. *Funeral* was a far tighter affair, there's no beating about the bush here. And yet, just because the Grammies belatedly caught Arcade Fire's train and its joyful and/or melancholic coaches, we were supposed to believe *The Suburbs* were their magnum opus? Nope, the "hipsters" had gotten the greatness of the band before, and *The Suburbs* was not the *best* that the band had pulled off so far, even if it became their breakthrough success... Guess the Grammies boomers received the message that Butler and co. were leaning a little closer to Bruce Springsteen's shenanigans in 2010, and in their narrow-minded world, that suddenly made Arcade Fire "important" (whereas they already were before). That said, and without changing a word of my little rant up there, my "hipster days" are now long gone, and I can recognize that *The Suburbs* is a very good album today, in spite of its unnecessary length and patchy spots here and there. Its first half is particularly solid, thanks to songs such as the title-track, "Ready To Wait", "Modern Man" and "Empty Room". And beyond the cuts sung by Win Butler, it's got the best-ever composition with Régine Chassagne as a lead, the incredibly emotional AND catchy "Sprawl II", obviously winking at Blondie's "Heart Of Glass", and yet still its own thing. To put things in a nutshell, *The Suburbs* is Arcade Fire's last "essential" album. Everything after felt like a slow demise, both artistically and on a personal level -- due to Win Butler's persona and the (at least 'questionable') things he seems to have done in his private life, now revealed after years of hypocrisy. It's not even a story I will tell you in another time, kiddies, it's too sad for me to linger there. Maybe I reassure myself a little too much by thinking Butler had not become this caricature of a narcissistic rock star yet, using his status to get away with psychological abuse in his love life when *The Suburbs* came out. All I know is that I won't be too quick to judge the man on a personal level. Individuals lost in a "system" can become gravely flawed, and yet their past artistic achievements somehow stay with you. It all depends on where you draw the line, I guess (but the line *must* be drawn at some point!). In Arcade Fire's case, it's not so difficult to know where to draw the line, admittedly. Maybe because on an artistic level, no one in his right mind can say that anything after *The Suburbs* is better than what preceded it anyway. And it's not always like that. As a consequence, even if the band's past achievements are somewhat retrospectively tainted for me, they're not *fully* tainted. But I can respect a differing opinion here, of course. It would be very insensitive NOT to do so. I just hope that Butler has now learned from his serious mistakes, just as he said he did. But in any case, that's not for me or anyone to say. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 4.5) Number of albums left to review: around forty, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens - *except if personal or somewhat ethical reasons prevent you to go there*: 455 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 271 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 328
This is my second Arcade Fire in the past 3 days on this list. "Neon Bible" I thought I was not going to be familiar with at all, but I was mistaking that for "The Suburbs." This is the album of theirs where I was uninterested when it came out and never really listened to it. It's certainly big and ambitious and compelling, and it likely their height as a band. I wish I would have paid more attention to it when it came out, because I probably would have appreciated it a lot more. It's great but as it is, it's a bit much and not really for me at this point.
Huge Indie Rock fan, and also love Arcade Fire, so I was stoked to see this after 3 straight "sonic experiment" albums. However, I wasn't awestruck by this album. I much prefer the "Everything Now" sound out of them, and on this one nothing truly stood out to me even after listening a couple times. I hate to give it the same rating as the mellow post-rock album I just listened to, but perhaps I need to give it a third, more intensive listen?
Ahhh… Arcade Fire. This type of thing is so far up my street they fucking live next door but… I just don’t get it. Sort of enjoyed a lot of it, some went right through me, I know I won’t think about it again after today.
Exceptional album. Both lyrics and music are phenomenal.
Wow, this was a bit of surprise how much I loved this album! My bad, I have to admit Arcade Fire has never been on my musical radar despite their success, but after hearing this I think I’m going to dive deeper into their full discography. It’s a five star album; I pretty much liked every song except a couple. My favorite on first listen is probably “Empty Room”. I’ll be revisiting this album a lot.
I was really happy to see this album come up, I've loved this album for a long time now. Standout Tracks: - The Suburbs (never gets old) - Half Light II (No Celebration) - We Used to Wait
Derivative and overly dramatic yet bland. Not my cup of tea.
The best way I can describe this is - it's their The River. Double album, connected storytelling, not many incredible standout tracks, but all together it's incredibly strong and lets them experiment and weave. Fantastic album.
Tolles Album mit jederzeit hörbarer Musik.
This album came out right when it needed to for me to love it. Leaving the suburbs and finding a new life. So I’m not looking at this objectively. I’m looking at it as a piece of work that played on repeat. It’s too bad Win Butler didn’t stop himself from being a scumbag.
Too much filler in middle to end to rate higher but some great tracks on it.
I'm just recently getting into rock so this was a nostalgic yet new experience for me a good one too. Favorite tracks were ready to start and rococo
I do recall hearing many of these songs on that SiriusXM Spectrum station when I worked at the agency. Or at least I think it was these songs. Nothing wrong with this album. I just listened to it today at work. Seems to blend in pretty good when I'm at work. Maybe if I listened more closely and paid attention to the lyrics I'd like it better?
my god. its the exact feeling of growing up in the loathsome pit of suburbia
Brilliant
06/01/24 Don't particularly like Arcade Fire. There is nothing about them.
Not as emotionally devasting as Funeral is, and not quite as concise either. This one does drag a little bit towards the middle, but the highlights make up for it. And the excellent ending with the Sprawls.
Meh, was alright. That said, I wasn't that hot on Reflektor initially until I had it on repeat in the car
very much my style indie rock is my jam I listen to James Marriott to feel emotions but it's a little quiet sometimes and this is very similar but a bit more chill and definitely will relisten!!
I fucking hate arcade fire
Ok, this sounds more like the kind of timid, self-deprecating indie rock music I expect from a Canadian band than their later stuff, which until now was the only AF I had heard. Pretty good overall but didn't grab me.
This is the second Arcade Fire album for me from this collection (but chronologically the third in the collection), and definitely an album I've heard of before although I'm not sure I've actually heard anything from it. Watching the video for the opening title track was a strange experience, I'll admit, because as far as I could tell the fairly light-hearted/sentimental lyrics had almost nothing to do with the increasing dystopian video of white suburban kids trying to ignore things as masked militia and law enforcement cordon off streets and kidnap people, ending with a savage beating of one of the kids in a diner. It certainly made the listening experience more interesting, but I'm not sure I understand how much the song and the video actually intersect, nor how intentional the juxtaposition was. (The Wikipedia entry for the album helpfully notes that the video has excerpts from a Spike Jonze short film "Scenes from the Suburbs", which at least provides a little context, but doesn't really resolve much.) The video for "Sprawl II" wasn't nearly as perplexing, but it had an interesting Dawn of the Dead suburban zompbie vibe to it. Much like my reaction to their earlier "Funeral" album, I wanted to like this album and band more than I do. They're consistent with their sound, and it's not particularly thin-sounding or too lush (most of the time), but something seems to be missing (and their attempt at a kind of retro pop-punk sound for "Month of May" doesn't help). I *do* like how the entire album seems to be centered on a couple of (adopted) Canadians reflecting on their childhood in the suburbs of Texas, for good and bad. And I can definitely see how at least one critic compared this album to Radiohead's "OK Computer", especially since I had a similarly ambivalent reaction to the Radiohead album, and for largely the same puzzled reasons.
enjoyed this album more than I expected to--really good pop which could have used a little editing, i.e. get the tracks under 4 minutes, and suddenly you've got a much more memorable album. "Modern Man" is my favorite track; I'm a sucker for lines like "Makes me feel like" that trail off.
not fair cuz I listened to this album a lot already
Cute. :)
I absolutely love this album!!!
fine.
Peppy but not good voices. A tad emo. 2/5
I like Arcade Fire. I know they can be a controversial band, and recent allegations against Win Butler are disgusting but the music is good. "Wake Up" is one of my favorite songs of all time and this album is excellent in a similar sense. AF is able to create a feeling of melancholic nostalgia that is quite unique in its sound and puts you in such a specific time and setting. For this album, it's the highs, lows, and mundane of living and growing up in the suburbs and reflecting back on that time period, and telling you that story. Arcade Fire is not always a hit but they are here. 9/10
la concha de tu madre arcade fire
Tää albumi kyllä kiinnittää huomion, että tässä on sitä jotain. Karismaa. Laulajan äänessä on musta kyllä aina ollut jotain ärsyttävää ja creepyä, siitä aina miinus yksi tähti. Ja siitä, että loppujen lopuks indie pysyy usein vähän tylsänä, tässäkin. Ready to startin intro on hieno ja starttaa koko levyn, b-puolta kohti mennessä meno laskee.
Cinemaattista indietä mutta sillä tavalla, että bändi ei uhraa koukkumelodioita äänimaailmoille. Toisin sanoen pieni ihme. Tämä viihdyttää, jopa yllättää melkein koko tunnin ajan.
Already love this one
I like this one a lot. Really good indie alt rock
Good album, very solid. Not sure if should rate 3 or 4. Feels like a 4.
This album was a pleasant indie album outlining the joys and woes of growing up in a small town, and lots I could resonate with. I enjoyed their sound and even gave a few songs a like.
Feels a bit too pop, almost like they tried to make it too pretty. Still good tho
Not their best
Jeden z tych albumów, który przychodzi i odchodzi bez pozostawienia śladu. Kilka przyjemnych utworów , kilka fajnych tekstów ("The businessmen drink my blood / Like the kids in art school said they would" top), ale nic poza tym. Zyskał trochę przy drugim przesłuchaniu, ale i tak bez szału. Słabe 3. GG, go next.
"The Suburbs" to album pełen refleksji nad nostalgią i dorastaniem. Bólu marnowania dorosłego życia potęgowanego przez romatyzowanie młodości. Muzyka, która sprawia, że czujesz się jak studentka fotografii, która wraca do swojego rodzinnego miasta. 4/5
Perfect Sunday morning album
Conceptual, non-trivial indie rock, which is rare in my opinion. Enjoyed it very much
An enjoyable record throughout and I like the concept, but it also sounds like generic indie pop to me.
Improves on their past work in every way. Easily their best album with almost no skips.
I’ve spent a lot of time around The Woodlands, the suburb wherein the Butlers grew up, so I can relate to many of the themes on this album. Like many suburbs, The Woodlands is an artificial, manufactured settlement masquerading as some idyllic American hometown. As much as I appreciate the concept of this album and the talent of its musicians, I just can’t get into it. None of the songs really stand out and the album as a whole feels like one long, rather beige musical piece.
Great album although I do prefer the first two!
Meh
This album floats on waves that don't rock my boat. Most important word is ok. This is ok and particularly end part of album. First part of album starters yawn me so much that I started cleaning the house.
Indie rock whining. Not my thing. It was very hard to listen the whole album. Once again, I found myself wondering what merits earned this album a spot on this list. The reason may be the amount of the albums sold...
It is clear, I do not like pop music like this. Previously in my 1001 play through the likes of The Smiths and Dandy Warhols made a similar impression, or rather left me wholly unimpressed. This album is too long, there are just few tracks that rise above. The rest is sleepy background muzak, with the exception of the tracks sung by the female vocalist.
I got halfway though this and it seemed fine. I remember really listening to "Funeral" but it was a bit melodramatic for me. This seems like more of the same but less intense. I don't mind it but I don't really need it either.
Emperors new clothes or an excellent third album, never quite sure and not as good as Funeral, but enjoy revisiting it…
A good album
I really enjoyed this one, good vibes. Favs: The Suburbs, Ready to Start
8/10
Грэмми за лучший альбом 2011? Долбоебы )
Except for The Suburbs, the album is bland. 4-
Lyrics: 5/5 Music: 5/5 Production: 4/5 Cohesiveness: 5/5 Overall: 5/5 Stand out songs: The suburbs Modern man Half light I Half light II Suburban war Sprawl II One of the only double albums ever made that is consistently good throughout The perfect coming of age album
Good one
Bra stabil pop. Varken mer eller mindre.
Nu har det varit tre skivor med AF. Den första var för mycket, den andra typ perfekt. Detta är väl nåt mellanting. Tillräckligt bra för att nå över medel. Kan definitivt ha denna skiva på där hemma!
Inleder riktigt starkt, tappar lite i mitten och avslutar starkt. Inte riktigt lika jämn som Funeral, men tycker produktion och mixning är cleanare och bättre här. På totalen en riktigt bra skiva som växte med flera lyssningar.
This is an album I knew I was biased against before even listening. This album came out when I was in high school, and it signaled the end of radio being worth listening to. My favorite alt-rock station (ClearChannel owned of course) was all too thrilled that Arcade Fire and the Black Keys were such big Grammy contenders that year. So much so that they played those two artists basically every third song on the air. I was sick of it. I thought the music was nothing special, and Arcade Fire specifically sounded whiny. This was my first time listening to the actual album, and it was fine. It wasn't really good or interesting. The songs just kind of chug along, and most of them seem averse to having a catchy melody. I'm sure the lyrics are part of the appeal, but the overall product was so boring I couldn't bring myself to care. I tried, but I can't get over the bias, this music is just okay at best.
4.03/5 Me gusto bastante
This album was huge for me, as for a lot of people, when it came out. I haven’t revisited it in a while and it still holds up so well. Ready to Start and Sprawl II were on constant replay for me back in 2010 and my favorite tracks from this indie classic. Overall Arcade Fire had a solid 10 year run of incredible albums from Funeral (2004) all the way up to Reflektor (2014). I wasn’t as into the releases after that but this listen made me want to give those albums another chance.
So, I listened to Arcade Fire's first album many times when it came out. It is deeply ingrained in my memory, along with emotions of a past relationship. I feel like it will be strange to listen to this guy's and girl's voice again, as I think it may bring some memories up. Oh well, here we go. This certainly has better production than their first album, but it sounds like the same band. I like them. Solid album. It's was weird hearing this band again. I give it a 4.
This album really has a specific nostalgic mood to it, and I enjoyed getting immersed in it, probably because I have long disliked the suburbs, and I can really identify with the feeling of being a teenager in such a boring dystopia. Sprawl II is my favorite song on this album, and my favorite by the band in general, I guess. Probably because I also had the experience of having the cops shoo me away while I was in a park trying to kiss Joel in the dark ("Campus is cloooosed, folks."). Yeah, the suburbs blow. In the city, cops would have bigger problems to deal with, and in the country, you could more easily find solitude. I got some Springsteen vibes from this album. I liked a lot of the songs, but I probably the first half and then the ending tracks the most. I've never listened to this band much, but I've seen them perform on SNL several times, and all 27 members seem like they are always having a lot of fun. I like to see Régine play the hurdy-gurdy in her fingerless lace gloves.
Really tried to get into this but couldn't. Some decent sounds overall but nothing really jumped out at me.
Really enjoyed, 3 songs saved
En keksinyt mitään mielenkiintoista tällä albumilla, en jaksanut edes viimeisiä kappaleita kuunnella kaiken geneerisyyden jälkeen.
Sounds like just about every indie record from around 2010.
Actually enjoyed this few songs saved for my playlists