Reviews (page 9 of 13)
Good fun. Regine's voice adds jeuje.
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
good but nothing stood out to me the way i wanted it to
Favorite track(s): Sprawl II Will I revisit?: middle priority Current rating: 6/10, 3.5/5
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.
Not awful just not my style. Wasn't a big fan of the singers voice.
Pretty chill and easy to listen to, maybe not super memorable
Enjoyed overall, very cinematic vibes for some of the songs.
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
Its fine. Nothing jumped out at me as being special
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.
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
06/01/24 Don't particularly like Arcade Fire. There is nothing about them.
Meh, was alright. That said, I wasn't that hot on Reflektor initially until I had it on repeat in the car
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.
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.
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.
An enjoyable record throughout and I like the concept, but it also sounds like generic indie pop to me.
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!
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.
Bra stabil pop. Varken mer eller mindre.
Sounds like just about every indie record from around 2010.
We're rockin' the suburbs Bla bla bla blah blah Dee bla
Was sorta Riley music but doesn't make me want to buy a phone
Teen pop tunes, nothing to be mad at and was pretty nice to listen to in the heat in the ride home from work
It’s competently written and performed. But Arcade Fire remains frustratingly opaque for me.
Nothing overly memorable, but a nice listen.
Pretty average but enjoyable. Way too long though. This would be a solid 4 if it were 30 minutes shorter.
Enjoyable.
Finally I get around to listening to Arcade Fire. I like this style of indie rock or whatever you call it. However every song always feels like its missing something. Like they are 90% of the way to having a great song. The suburbs is my fav track, but I knew about that song before this album.
I’m sure that if I listened to this enough I’d grow to like it eventually. It’s pretty fine, but I don’t have anything invested in the band, so it’s no more than fine. And would probably be better if it were twenty minutes shorter.
There's a few songs on this album I love but for the most part this is not an album I put on very often. Example: The honky-tonk piano on the title track and the way Win sings doesn't really match right for me. The debut album "funeral" was incredible, though! There are definitely songs that I dig though...just miss how they sounded when they were more raw and "alive"
A strange thing happens when I listen to Arcade Fire. Starting out I’m always like this is really good, I should listen to more of them! Then about halfway through the album I get really tired of hearing them. It’s the strangest thing, because I like their music
Like many a double concept album from the 1970’s, this 2010 version of the format doesn’t quite hit the mark. 3 stars is harsh as there are some really high moments on this album, and there’s a definite 4* potential 5* in there for a shorter edit, but I can’t help but think that when sitting through 1h 4m of their songs, many of them start to sound indistinct from each other.
Actually a pretty nice album, the songs were good and I enjoyed having this in the background. This album was released fairly recently but it would've been a great listen back in the day. Nowadays, I feel like it might be a bit outdated but I am sure there would still be people who would enjoy while chilling.
This is a slight step down from Neon Bible to me. The song writing is still quite strong, but there is a little bit of sameness to the tracks that makes this album drag more than the band’s previous works. I still thought it was a worthwhile listen, but I can’t imagine myself revisiting this album.
I didn't have much time to listen to AF at the time, so was interested to hear it; I remember various friends liked them. It sounds like this was peak AF, with all the awards? It's definitely a good album, and I believe they were/are a great live band. It's a 7 out of 10 really - I do love the sound, but not always the music itself. I also detect (thanks to this project) a big Neil Young influence and am not convinced it's particularly unique. I'm being slightly ungenerous, therefore, rounding it down to 3, but tbh I wasn't awed enough to know that I'll definitely listen again.
Pretty decent, like it’s vibes
Heard a few of these songs before. I did like this but it was pretty average, nothing really stood out to me
Just like Neon Bible, this is just another ho him media fastball down the middle. Nothing bad, nothing overly exciting. Easy to listen to. But just there for me.
O cheiro de 2010 que tem esse álbum socorro Gostei, apesar de algumas músicas serem um tédio, tem umas outras bem boas Destaques: Sprawl 2, Rococo. Ready to Start e Month May
#85 - easy listening, groovy, but nothing that particularly stands out.
2-3
I have two friends that really like this band, but I've never put time into checking them out. This was pretty good, I'm just not really into the "indie" sound. I imagine that this is good for lyric lovers UNLIKE ME ONCE AGAIN. Anyway yea
A mixed bag, but overall good. One of those albums that invokes nostalgia even though I’d never heard it before. Favorites: Sprawl II, Ready to Start 3.5
6/10
A little bland.
Better than the first Arcade Fire album I had. Confused why I even had a second arcade fire. Some nice transitions between songs, couple of great songs, opener is really catchy, peppered in between some forgettable ones. Honestly, I don't think you need to listen to multiple AF albums before you die. It could have been one or the other (hey, we have 1001 albums to include after all).
It's a decent album
I’m really surprised I didn’t know anything from this album. This kind of alt is right in my genre wheelhouse. But because of my familiarity with the genre, I’m also more scrutinous. I thought this album was just okay. There were a handful of pretty good songs! I just really hated the vocal mixing. The female voice, especially, sounded really garbled.
I liked this one, but as the album went on it became pretty long and it lost me a bit. I can see why it was in the book, but I can also see why it isn't anymore Standouts Suburban War 3/5
换个环境听可能会更喜欢
Not sure I understand all of the critical acclaim or the vitriol surrounding this album. I thought it was enjoyable enough, and really liked a couple of the songs, but didn’t find it remarkable either way. Probably a three.
Rococo. Really interesting concept for an album. Interesting style and surprising. Enjoy hearing the different instruments making sounds.
I was a little disappointed, maybe because my expectations were so high after Funeral. I like the title track, but none of the other songs grabbed me. Maybe I need to give it more time?
My recollection of this album was kinder than my listening experience today. I thought I'd be giving this a 4 (docking a star because Win Butler is fucking gross) but think this is really more of a 3 with two, maaaybe three 4 star songs. There's something really longing about 'The Suburbs' and 'Ready to Start' is a good segue - but everything else kind of blurs together (despite multiple listens), or is borderline annoying (Empty Room especially.)
Very repetitive and not at all interresting.
7/10. Rococo and Sprawl II are great songs.
3.5. Good album but I can only take so much of his vocals. Liked Modern Man, Suburban War, and Sprawl II
Just not a band I need to listen to a whole album
Enjoyed the other album of theirs on this just much more.
- I respect that the album feels grandiose compared to other Indie Rock albums - Fun mix of genres, doesn't play it safe with its sound - That being said, some of the songs fall flat in execution, didn't grab me in any way - Oddly fitting for the time, the album feels like it missed the boat on this specific snapshot of indie rock, but it coincides well with the underlying theme of leaving the suburbs behind"
Hmmm, one of those ones. I feel there's a really strong 10 or 11 track album lurking within but, for me right now, the overall affect comes off a wee bit MoR and sprawling. Of course, being as smart as they are, this in itself might be a deliberate allegory for suburbanism. Who knows. On another day it probably gets a 4 from me but today it's landing a bit flat
Fine. 200s indie at its best, I suppose.
Seemed alright but didn’t listen too strongly
Bits of it were quite good but then there's tracks that make you think those were purely lucky.
this won Album of the Year at the Grammys, which seems unthinkable in the current era of monogenre pop and hip hop slop those Awards are currently steeped in. this is a bold artistic statement the likes of which you just don't see as often in the rock music mainstream anymore. but, like with Supertramp yesterday, there's a lot here I should love, yet somehow I don't find myself getting sucked into this album's (admittedly very strong) songs and overall conceptual angle. I, too, grew up in the American suburbs, and relate very strongly to the feelings of alienation and desire for something "more" that many of this album's best songs capture quite well! one thing holding me back from full-on enjoyment here is that, across this tracklist, I'm mostly reminded of the artists Arcade Fire are obviously drawing their inspiration from, and part of me feels like I'd rather just listen to them instead. you've got folkloric heroes like Neil Young and Tom Petty, stadium stalwarts like U2 and Springsteen, maybe even some of AF's own indie contemporaries like M83 and Sufjan Stevens. obviously we all have to be inspired by something, but I'm not sure if I get anything out of this album that I couldn't already get somewhere else. beyond that, while these are some grand, sweeping songs (the string arrangements from Owen Pallett are especially noteworthy) that are often pretty earworm-y, something about the way they're presented feels like there's something being held back from me. I wish these mixes were a little more enveloping; I wish the performances went for a little more blood; I wish there were a few more surprises on the songwriting end. as it stands, this is pretty standard stadium indie fare; if you're into that sort of thing, you'll get more than your fill here. but at 16 tracks and over an hour in duration, it's a bit of a hard sell for me. light 6/10.
Man its so weird, mentally I feel like I know this album but I dont recognize any of these songs. Its alright, it has that recognizable indie sound a lot of late 2000's bands had. I liked Suburban War quite a bit, but the rest is okay.
It's Arcade Fire
Not as good as Neon Bible. The title track is memorable, the rest was ok.
Pretty decent as a coming of age esque album. 2.5/5.
Good in 2010. Aged
Another newish band I've got into recently. It takes me a while to catch-up. Offbeat and Oddball band with kookie hits. A good listen.
In one ear and out of the other
I was and am an arcade fire fan and i had this album but they had fallen out of rotation. I feel this maybe their most consistent album but it does lack a single, stand out track. Always enjoyed their energy but this has good production as well.
A very safe album from a band that could do so much more with their sound
My impression of Arcade Fire is pretty much entirely formed around “Keep the Car Running” and “No Cars Go”, both songs I like from a previous album. The title of this album gives me pause because the suburbs make me queasy and there’s a lot of art about the banality of suburban life and how hard it is that I just don’t like. But I’m putting all that aside for 64 minutes! On the title track, there’s a lot I want to like here, but it feels a bit long for how little it varies from beginning to end. An underwhelming but not a bad start. Unfortunately the first 10 songs all continue on this way. It’s not unpleasant but everything kinda sounds the same for almost 45 minutes. “Wasted Hours” and “Deep Blue” finally offer a little variation — I’m not sure if I actually like these tracks more than the other before them or if I was just happy to get a different sound. I like “We Used to Wait” as well… but I don’t love it. I also like “Sprawl” parts I and II. Overall, the last third of this album is definitely my favorite part. Setting aside the fact that the first ~45 minutes all sound the same and this 64 minute album could’ve just as easily been 34 minutes, it’s… fine. Indie rock of this era isn’t really my thing, but there are other bands of the time and genre that I like a lot more. I can see why people love this though, I guess. Meh/10
Started off pretty meh, but kinda grew on me by the end.
Solid. Some good songs in there. Overall sounded pretty safe and nothing really grabbed me. Good though.
I really did not care for this album. Honestly this gave me very similar vibes to that Coldplay album we listened to a few days ago. I listened to it one time through and it just didn't really hit right at any point and I was pretty over it about halfway through. Im hoping other Arcade Fire albums are on here because I have heard great things about them over the years. I could see why people liked it, but again same with Coldplay. Just not my cup of tea I think.
I saw another review that said all music in 2008-2012 sounded just like this and boy were they right. Certain songs really tickled that nostalgia part of my brain, I cannot lie. I remember being in high school and having several friends love Arcade Fire at the time, and I remember looking them up and listening to a few songs then coming away with a very "meh" impression. I can genuinely say I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would based on my initial impression several years ago (and there are songs by Arcade Fire not on this album that I enjoy now as an adult that I didn't care for as a teen). That said, I didn't feel this album was a home run - it really falls off for me after the beginning even if I do find myself tapping and nodding my head along even after the first few songs. I think overall this album is pretty average for me - I could see myself being happy listening to this in the background while I clean or do chores, but it isn't something I'd sit down to dedicate time to in the future.
I like Arcade Fire but this one doesn’t quite get there for me. Would do 3 1/2 if we had half stars.
Nothing amazing
OK- didn't bother me!
I know this one! I know this one well. Arcade Fire was one of those bands I listened to at a time when I was ripe. So malleable. I even remember watching the music video for 'The Suburbs' and not fully understanding what was capturing me, but it was. What was it? Aimlessness. Wasted time, but of course, when you're a kid, it's not wasted at all. Freedom. Alienation. Neighborhood. They did 100% well about 50% of the album. I thought, coming back to this album, probably over a decade after it first took me, I'd discover 3-4 new tracks that resonated. But, it was the same 3-4 (suburbs, deep blue, half light) that resonated. "Wasted Days" stands the only new track I really took to. The minor landscape with these solemn, but intense guitar riffs just perfectly capture life for a lot of kids growing up in middle class suburbs. The album has some edge that is perfect for 13-14 year olds, but similar to my review of Figure 8, a lot of the other tracks just blend together in a generic sort of indie-pop way that didn't resonate. This album will always mean so much to me. Favorite track: The Suburbs (obv)
eh
I was introduced to Arcade Fire by my sons. They are okay.
fun to listen to in the car, on a long drive. long songs that really suck you in.
It's ... fine, I suppose. It isn't that it is all very samey, but there is just nothing distinctive about any track on this. You could play me anything from it and it would be like hearing it for the first time again. Beige music.
I have really mixed feelings about this album. It's supposed to be one of if not the best album by Arcade Fire. It won them the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2010 or 2011 whenever it was. Everyone raves about this album. I just couldn't get behind it. I didn't not like it, like I still enjoyed listening to it and there were definitely songs I enjoyed but I don't get the hype around it. Maybe I'm just an uneducated cockraoch for not agreeing that this is a mindblowingly good album but so be it. Favourites were Empty Room and Month of May. Could not name another song if I tried
Second album of this band. First one was absolute crap and gave it 1 star. Surprisingly this album is really great and well produced flows perfectly. Lots of great musical influence heard in this songs. Gotta say I now dont hate this band.
Emotional and dramatic but less so than Funeral. They went for a subdued, more mature sound in this one. Although the lyrics seems to be about apocalypse, loss of innocence among other heavy themes, the tone of the album feels rebelliously hopeful. Not a big fan of Win Butler's boomer voice. Also there are many fillers, so the one hour isn't that great an experience. Anyways, it rocks and has emotion. So that's fine with me. Liked: The Suburbs (absolutely gorgeous), Suburban War, Wasted Hours, Sprawl II .
It's airy fairy. It's alright. gonna be honest i got bored and skipped the last 4-5 songs. Id probably listen again at somepoint.
It was fine, but no songs stood out.
2nd half of album much stronger than the first. Redeemed it.
Favs: The Suburbs, Half Light I, Sprawl II Least Fav: Half Light II
Never really listened to them before. Sounds ok.
This is a decent album, but compared to Arcade Fire's previous two offerings, it's pretty weak. The only songs I'd really care to hear again are The Suburbs, Empty Room and Sprawl II. The other songs fail to grab my attention and lack the bombast I'm used to from Arcade Fire.
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
I listened to the album twice… and I can take it or leave it. There are obvious notes of other bands which caught my ear (Pink Floyd, David Bowie, but otherwise it all kinda flowed together as a single track. I could put this on in the background when company is over and that’s probably it.
Don't think this one's as strong as 'Neon Bible', but still find it very solid. The titular track is an absolute banger, and even though I didn't feel any that the rest of the album stood close to it, it was a nice listen through and through.
Instantly into it after the first 5 seconds. Good vibes. First song was really good and the rest were just ok - maybe I got too hyped after the start that I was let down in the end? A lot of the songs kind of blended into one and I couldn’t really say when one began or ended for a lot of them
Overall a good album with a mix of electronic and strum/singalong. Mostly upbeat with a melancholy undertone throughout. Surprised it won a Grammy. It’s not THAT great.
Arcade fire always a band on my fringe, never think about them till I hear them and I enjoy the listen every time.
i've only heard their first album, Funeral, and it seems like they've traded the strange experimentation for consistency. every track is the same level of okay, and for that its definitely more boring than their first for me. still alright though, I've heard way worse albums on this site
Not too shabby. I liked it in terms of never heard the entire album so it was a pleasant turn. Kinda like living in a suburb
Not as bad, as the other releases from them
I think I'd need to listen again to truly appreciate.
Good, but a little too "indie" for me.
Da e jo bra på ein måte, bare ikkje nåke eg får lyst til å inkludera i listene mine
Et par høydepunkter, men ganske ujevnt
A frustrating album. High highs but also an awful lot of flavour. Give this an editor and it could be a 4.
A fun enough album, nothing to write home about, so yeah
3.5/5
Was OK listening
While I liked this more than Neon Bible, I still think this album suffers from being too long, too generic at it's low points and not ambitious enough. I was in high school when this band was in their prime. I might have a change of heart in the next couple of decades, but this was less of a blast from the past and more of an experience I can't wait to move on from. Still, gotta give credit where credit is due, there are a couple of jams on this album, just not enough to justify the 1hr+ runtime.
Not bad
For all the indie rock, early 2000s albums I have consumed, Arcade Fire never really captured me the way Sufjan or Vampire Weekend did. Not sure why. This album is really enjoyable and plays well with suburban decay... but like - Bo Burnham did it better on INSIDE.
Sure, whatever
Rococo is fabulous! Some of the others rather poor or maybe too poppy for me
While it's not my favourite Arcade Fire album I definitely respect and enjoy this entry in their catalogue. Some nice songs in here and an overall really nice tone but I think it's a little bloated, probs didn't need 16 songs but that's just me. Fav songs: - The Suburbs - Ready to Start - Modern Man - Sprawl II
discreto dai molto anni 00
I never cared about this band. I still don’t, but I recognize that this is still pretty decent. 3.5/5
Was perfect for a rainy morning
Wasn’t bad at all it just didn’t grab me and make me feel more like some songs do
I was not too familiar with this band, but I did recognize “The Sprawl II” , and I also liked “The month of May”. I can tell there is good musicianship and production here, but nothing else grabbed me on the first pass. Worth a revisit… 3.5/5
Arcade Fire é uma banda ótima, porém esse não é meu álbum predileto.
Nothing special
Meh... É OK.
There was a time and place for this music. It really amped you up and feel alive at the time. Unfortunately, I just think it didn't age very well. The times have changed and so has my love for this kind of indie rock. I can see the appeal, but it isn't for me anymore.
CD
Nowhere near as good as "Funeral"
A vast improvement on "Funeral," and pleased to be finally get a track ID on that opener, which I've heard everywhere. Moves fast to start with, but slows down and gets a little lost and meandering towards the end.
Pretty enjoyable.
This was an enjoyable listen with some interesting messages about urban sprawl. The opening track was *fire* and so was "Sprawl II". Maybe it could have been a little shorter but other than that I don't have any complaints.
Not the Best one of them
Not bad, but not as essential as their debut
This was after my time with XPN but I know they love it over there.
nice, I should have listen to it when I was 15, but I'm not anymore :( 6/10
Well made but monotonous
Indie Rock, 2010 -> 3
This album blends in with a lot of indie rock from this era. It had some cool tracks, along with some that were pretty mediocre. It’s nothing I’ll ever go back to in the future, but I also don’t regret listening to it this one time.
Well. It was better than Neon Bible. Not by much though
So I got two Arcade Fire albums in a row... I had high hopes for 'Funeral' yesterday and was disappointed when it didn't deliver. I admit that today's album felt slightly more interesting, though. I liked a couple of songs enough to save them, but unfortunately the rest of it felt very filler-y. I don't know why, but it all sounds very similar to me... I guess I'm still not warming up to 2000s rock. 3.5 stars
The opening track is brilliant. Great song that really takes me back to my going out days. I don’t think I have ever listened to this album all the way through until now. I have always found Arcade Fire to be a good singles band. Some of the music on this album is stunning but the album shows inconsistency. Favourite song: Suburbs, Modern man and Ready to start Least favourite: There are quite a few filler songs on this album. Album artwork: Great cover
Interesting concept, some tracks resonated a lot, while others not
3 stars I suppose. Played the whole album twice in succession and don't remember a single note. I didn't hate it, but it just washed over me and the next thing I remember was Spotify playing me some of its curated content.
not my thing, but not terrible.
Kinda middy. I’d put it on if it was the only cd in the car but it’s too 2010s rock for my taste
Might have to give a few additional listens to appreciate it more. Not bad but not great at first listen.
Really fun indie-rock album, felt like it dragged on a little bit halfway through, but I enjoyed listening to it 👍 3/5
Kinda forgettable and bland. It's not bad, but it's also not great. The album was way too long for what it was. 6/10.
mh - ist ok: indie-folk-country halt. stört nicht aber auch nix nach dem ich aktiv suche.
Love the sound on most of the songs. Drums are great on many of the tracks. It feels like the band is holding back to make space for the vocals on a few songs. That bothered me. ie City with no Children.
Mid
It's fine? It feels like the plain yogurt of the music world. - i don't mind it but there just wasn't much to it either. All the songs have that kind of 00-10s sound and it just wasn't interesting enough to want to engage with or learn. They aren't bad but they're a step above the Coldplay and Radioheads.
This was a great album, I really enjoyed it Top tracks: The Suburbs, Ready To Start
Kalma album, nije za mene ali smireno i malo kaoticno, slicno MBV ili Black Country, New road-u
All in all, not a terrible album. It's nothing special, but it could make for decent background music.
Another okay but forgettable album.
This was pretty okay. Sounded like a lot of other bands. That's fine, just not a favorite of mine.
I liked this, particularly Culture Wars. I can't quite bring myself to give it 4*. 3.5*.
очень старалась и слушала днём отвлечённо и вечером внимательно. всё равно не запомнила и не поняла и на старте некоторых песен думала что это другие что я знаю. придётся продолжать)
Good but somehow mellow like these new rock bands, coldplay etc
Decent, nothing to dislike but not overly memorable.
It’s a good record, not much else to say honestly
Very indicative of what kind of music was popular back then, which is not a bad thing.
Not terrible, but would not seek it out.
I enjoy it while I'm listening to it like it's a four-star album, but then I can't remember any of it later.
Rock/Pop mit 80er Feeling. 3/5
C'est OK. Pas mauvais du tout
I didn’t listen, but have listened before. I was a pretty big fan when they first came out, but I’ve fizzled since. I liked this album, but it didn’t excite me the way their first one did. I think maybe their sound is so specific that their new music stopped sounding original to my ears. 3.7
I never really listened to Arcade Fire. There's a lot going on... real indie at times and highly produced at others. Sounds like band with multiple personalities. It's pretty good but probably better on multiple listens. Overall enjoyable. 3.7
Arcade Fire has never really moved the needle for me for some reason. It's a good listen but doesn't break through for me personally. 3.5
Absolutely fine, but a struggle to get into. I enjoyed the symmetry of the track listing and the hint at the more poppy direction to come in the penultimate track. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Date listened: 07/05/24
Great album.
Started off well but got a bit samey after a while, not bad though
Their lead singer has a uniqueness that is refreshing. Not my fav stuff but a good listen.
The suburbs has a familiar sound but it was also very fresh. One of the better albums in the 2010’s.
A decent album with some good songs. I like the overall vibe, clearly inspired a lot of music from the indie revival around this time. Dramatic post apocalyptic suburbs I guess? I found it hard to like the delivery on some songs. Like on Sprawl 1 I like how desolate it sounds, and then for 2 I don’t care for how the female vocalist sings with all of the fluttery instrumentals. Album feels a little bloated. Standouts: The Suburbs, Modern Man, Suburban War, Wasted Hours, and Deep Blue.
It's got some nice tracks but too many fillers in this record
"Today I learned..." Today I learned that even bands I really like are not that interesting "in a row." For a long time I would hear an Arcade Fire song and think "I really like this" but ultimately not follow them too closely for some reason. This has repeated over many years with me and Arcade Fire. Today I learned why. I can, and often do, come across an Arcade Fire song in a random playlist or out and about and think "thiis song is great, I love this band!" But now that I have listened to an entire album... see, individually they are great. But they have a too similar sound across songs, too similar theme across the whole album, and even share lyrics between songs in one case... I believe it was an experiment to make different feelings with the same lyrics but it didn't quite work OR both songs failed to deliver whatever the underlying message was meant to be... I love this band... one song at a time!
I'm not sure why they were so loved, judging by this album
Some good lyrics but never really takes off
Quite enjoyed this.
3/5 - nice sound but nothing particularly memorable, can't really remember anything in particular about the album
Good tunes, but just doesn't move me much for some reason. Would be happy to listen to it again or with others, but I will not seek it out.
i will be honest i didn’t finish the album but i listened to most of it. i think it would’ve hit much harder if i lived in a suburb! but i liked it well enough 3/5
It's okay. They do their own thing and it's fine. I can see why people enjoy their music.
Decent album. Heard before
I own this one on vinyl! Great to listen through, but has some stand out tracks. Enjoyable, but not my favorite by them. Does not seem to push a lot of boundaries.
Not bad, but they have better stuff.
Poppy, inoffensive, and pretty indie rock that overstays it's welcome by about 15 minutes.
A little too slow and indie sounding for me.
2.5 pretty boring.
Meh. A lot of Arcade Fire songs sound alike
feel nostalgic listening to the songs you've never even heard of
5.5/10 a bit boring
Des idées pas inintéressantes, mais pas le genre d'ambiance qui me parle.
It was fine.
Some nice songs
man, i'm really sad i don't like it! i can tell that it's a good album like for sure maybe if i was younger i'd enjoy the hell out of these songs but i really just can't. i've already been through this phase and i think i've just grown out of it. hey, who knows! i'm only 17 maybe when i'm older i'll actually really like it. right now though, no thanks.
Miss this era of indie rock in the early 2000s as I was not paying attention.However, this arcade fire is exactly how I remember it pretty boring.Some highlights I'd like Neon Bible.I'd say a lot more than I thought.I'd like this a little bit less
From what I recall the first half is pretty strong but the second half loses momentum. There's some songs i've listened to for a long time and the title track is excellent.
Pretty solid background music
Kinda felt like diet rock. Not too filling, not too weak.
I was conflicted throughout this album. I went back and forth on it but by the end, I was in. A few songs I remember and had some radio play but it's an epic that needs to be heard as a whole. I could relate to it. Didnt know how well it did crutically going in. Good selection for the list.
Enjoyable
This album has just never really worked for me. Don’t know why. The opener is fantastic and always hypes me up and I think finally, this is going to be the time when everything clicks into place, and… nope. The rest of the album is just kind of alright
Sticky Fingers indeed (I have 0 clue wtf when I wrote that)
Went on a little too long for my taste but I liked it.
Arcade Fire are probably the most frustrating band I've ever heard. I think these guys write excellent music and the vocal melodies in their songs can be quite beautiful. However.... I hate the lead singer's voice. I hate it SO MUCH! More often than not, I find it unbearable on my eardrums. A different front man (or woman), with this band, singing these songs, would be fucking awesome. Arcade Fire have all the ingredients for a kickass rock band, but that voice sucks. Although this song isn't on "The Suburbs", check out the Foo Fighters' cover of "Keep the Car Running". No significant changes have been made to the song, but Dave Grohl's voice alone improves it to no end. That cover is a banger. Arcade Fire have the best back catalogue of potential cover songs ever! My favourite track on "The Suburbs" is "City with No Children", which is a brilliant song that's perfectly suited to the lead singer's delivery. Credit where it's due - that song is amazing. The problem is, most Arcade Fire tunes have incredible music with disappointing vocals. This is showcased on The Suburbs whenever their female singer takes the lead; the best example being "Sprawl II". Her gorgeous voice elevates that song. She should be promoted to the full-time position. I desperately want to love "The Suburbs" and Arcade Fire in general. This music is right up my street. But that voice does my head in. Shucks.
I kinda liked it at first, but it was minor key and droning, couldnt finish listening.
Do I like this album? Yeah, a fair bit. I don't think I like it as much as the last indie rock album my group got, SO MUCH FOR THE CITY by The Thrills; and I don't think enough to give it a 4, but I can hear why so many people were goin' nuts for it back in 2010. Do I think it's the best album of 2010, though? I mean, I think I've listened to PLASTIC BEACH a bit too much to agree.
Yep, sounded like Arcade Fire
thank god this was more interesting than the other arcade fire album. i still would not return to it on the whole but i genuinely enjoyed the first song and the last two so i would say that despite being still quite bored with it it was better than the other one. it still only gets three stars but it was a marked improvement. upon listening to our next album i may actually begin to long for the simplicity of this
Suprisigly more fun than Neon Bible, but the bar was not that high to begin with. Sonically more exciting, but lyrically flat (from what i picked up) like before. Enjoyed the first songs but album def staggered at the end. Waaaaay too long. That song about the culture war argh so bad. Whatever. Next
A good record! ...that doesn't move me so much haha This is really great stuff and I would happily listen again... geez that's usually my bar for a 4 but in this case I think for me it's just not quite there. It's musical and interesting but not 'fun' for me to listen to as I would have wanted.
This is a good album with great production value and strong musicianship, but there’s something missing that makes me not love it and I can’t really pinpoint it exactly except that it just lacks some heart I guess. I would put it in the same category as Imagine Dragons, fine but a bit meh.
Its quite good. Not much to say, third arcade fire already and they deliver but seems a bit odd
its nice
Solid listen. Enjoy!
As I was listening to this, all I could think was "What's the big deal about these guys?" Pretty standard early 21st century pop rock. Decent, but nothing stood out.
Quite enjoyed this. Was a little Talking Head'esque. Good listen overall
Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" is like an HOA meeting that promised free pizza but only delivered on the cheese—lots of buildup with a somewhat satisfying payoff. The album takes us on a leisurely drive through the tree-lined streets of suburbia, where every song feels like a stop sign: you slow down, you look around, but you're not always sure it was worth the stop. Don't get me wrong, there are moments when "The Suburbs" feels like finding that one rebellious house with the daringly overgrown lawn—a breath of fresh air in an otherwise orderly neighborhood. Tracks like "Ready to Start" and "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" are the community block parties that actually deliver on their promise, showing off Arcade Fire's knack for anthemic choruses and emotive storytelling. But as a whole, the album occasionally wanders into the cul-de-sac of its own ambitions, circling themes of ennui and disconnection with the determination of a minivan lost in a maze of cookie-cutter homes. It's an exploration that sometimes leaves you checking your watch, wondering when the real fireworks will start. Handing "The Suburbs" 3 stars is like admitting that while the HOA might have had grand plans for the neighborhood get-together, in the end, it's really just about hanging out in someone's backyard, hoping the next track—or in this case, the next song—will be the one to really get the party started.
Kann man sich anhören
Sounds like Arcade Fire. Very on brand. Moody. Orchestral. Dramatic.
Pretty good
Rocky Catchy Pleasant Some building tracks Moody Instrumental licks Remind me of the Manic Street Preachers / U2 /
Beetje saai, wel prima gemaakt verder
Pocetak dobar, poslije malo dosadno i monotono, kraj goody. Najbolje pjesme: 1. We Used To Wait 2. The Suburbs 3. Sprawl I (Flatland) 4. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) 5. Wasted Hours 3.5/5
I like this album, but all the songs sound alike.
A very good indie album with lots of different vibes.
Solid.
6/10 - I liked one song the rest were fine. Nothing bad but nothing great
This feels a little more generic and bland than the last arcade fire album, but it's still a generally enjoyable listen. 6/10
This is an album where everything is “good enough”. Melodies are fine, production is fine, lyrics are mostly fine, and the album turns out to be fine and super generic. To me this album could have been made by hundreds of other 90s bands and I would be unable to tell the difference. Play a backbeat and hit record.
Starts really strong but loses momentum somewhere in the middle. The Sprawl songs improve matters at the end. A bit uneven but the good songs here make it worthwhile.
I like a lot about this album, and some songs (Sprawl II) are a 10/10. But overall I find it a bit repetitive, one-note and flat as a whole.
Why is everything on this album the same locked-in 4/4 tempo? It’s like hipster marching music. Definitely some good things here, but the repetitive nature grates on one halfway through.
Mid-tempo and lushly orchestrated with a massive instrumental ensemble, this is an affecting rumination on having been young from the other side of a kind of disillusioned weariness: "one day they'll see it's long gone." It's an early onset middle age album, and a bit boring at times - partly as a means to produce the feelings its about: uneasiness, tired tension, vague foreboding. But there are some pulsating synths and soaring guitars that whip into a frenzy every so often too. The vocals are searching and warm and earnest, mostly eschewing the massive arena choruses for a breathy 70s singer songwriter sound. They seem very invested in the album as a form, this isn't quite an indie rock opera or concept album, but it is a very cohesive hour thematically and sonically that approcahes its themes from a few vantage points and builds to a big peak. It's got momentum to, like an econoline van rolling down a long hill, but it in a cinematic way. Sprawl II really brings it home beautifully: a synthy neon sound glowing over a dark gloaming. Favorites: Half Light II, Wasted Hours, Sprawl II
It's a great album but the lead singers accused transgressions taints their stuff a bit for me.
Booooorrrringgg
Not a big fan of indie rock, especially from around this year. Found this to be pretty forgettable.
Not a bad album. Video a little confusing for the first song. I didn't hate it, but not an album I would go out of my way to purchase. I rate it as "OK."
Not bad. A bit whiny at times for my taste, though much of the music from back then shared that characteristic.
Watching 2000s dramas and hearing everyone love Arcade Fire or them on the soundtrack. I understand why.
I used to love Arcade Fire. Some of their songs are still good, but it has become abundantly clear that they are U2 for millennials. 3.3
I hear more of the *influences* they're calling back to than this band. Not bad, I don't mind it on, but I'm not going back to seek it out.
Not horrible/not awesome, just ok. I think this album would grow on you if you listened to it a few times.
It feels like an indie-rock Bruce Springsteen album about the suburbs. I like it a lot but it feels like it keeps going without a lot of variation.
Meh... but better than a 2.
It's pretty good but it doesn't have the juice that funeral had. The songs on this record don't feel as big to me
Arcade Fire worden toch vaak gebombardeerd tot de ''Gods of Indie Rock''. Dit vind ik altijd een beetje overtrokken, maar hun centrale plek in de indie boom van deze eeuw is onmiskenbaar. Ze beheersen vele elementen van genres die in deze stroom samenkomen, van retro synths die niet weg te denken zijn in het werk van indie pop bands, tot orkestrale composities die je dan weer vaak ziet in hedendaagse art/barok rock acts. Dit album is mij het bekendst van hun catalogus, en is misschien wel het beste voorbeeld van waarom ze zo'n sleutelpositie aannemen binnen de indiemuziek van de 21e eeuw. Ze blijven de prioriteit geven aan de wat bombastischere art rock zoals in 'Ready to Start' en 'Suburban War', maar geven ook ruimte aan wat rustigere indie rock zoals in de titelsong en 'Modern Man'. Ik heb het altijd het album gevonden die het meest inconsistent is, met een aantal van mijn favoriete AF songs, en een hele reeks oninteressante, inspiratieloze meuk. Toch apart voor een band die normaal grossiert in creativiteit. Na de eerste drie klassiekers, trappen we voor een song of 8 flink op de rem. Had hier liever wat vaker de vrouwelijke vocalen van Chassagne gehoord, die ik vaak beter vindt passen bij de band. Middenin deze reeks aan generieke muziek, die op elk indie album van die tijd te vinden is, doorbreekt 'Suburban War' wel de trend. Epische song, en één van de betere van het album. Leuk trouwens dat ze ook nog even de post-punk revival box weten af te tikken met 'Month of May', maar ook die valt niet geweldig. Maar dan komt toch nog een eindsprint, met de cinematische 'Deep Blue' die de juiste snaar raakt, en new wave song 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)'. Die laatste is voor mij de absolute highlight van het album, en vormt een brug naar hun volgende album, de dance-rock masterpiece 'Reflektor'. Oké het lijkt op Heart of Glass van Blondie, maar de moderne productie, gelaagdheid aan synths, en prachtige vocalen die zich trapsgewijs opbouwen creëren een track die laat zien dat synth-pop absoluut niet is overleden in de jaren 80. Het is retro in al zijn perfectie; niet blijven hangen in oude gewoontes, maar voortbouwen op nostalgische elementen. Dit was het nummer die de deur open zette voor James Murphy om zich te bemoeien met de band, en daar ben ik ze dankbaar voor. All in all, 50/50 aan klasse materiaal en mindere momenten. Het voelde nogal lang aan, net als deze review. Ondanks dat het album is opgebouwd rond het thema van alienation of suburban life en andere topics die het hart van de gemiddelde stadsgeograaf sneller laat kloppen, is het een verhaal met iets te veel saaie hoofdstukken. Een aantal grandioze momenten, maar als album doet hij het iets minder. 7/10 Highlights: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) The Suburbs Suburban War
# 158 : Its OK, I could listen to it, but I don't particularly rate Arcade Fire, so many Australian bands that sound the same, reminds me of the Go Betweens, I would go to them first, before spinning this again. Fav Track : Month Of May
Decent enough.
Decent but didn’t really go anywhere. Not their finest work. A low 3.
Calm and pleasant.
I got bored with it.. not awful but can’t imagine listening to it a lot.
Typical 2000s indie rock
Boring
I find Win Butler's voice grating but this album was saved from a 2* rating by the song "Suburban War." Also they should feature more of Regine Chassanne.
Never got into this band but they’re held in high acclaim. I like Ready to Start.
Didn’t love the album, but at least with this one, I can understand why the band is popular. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
4x gehört gestern. Paar super Songs paar Songs sind nicht hängen geblieben. 3,5
- Arcade Fire war für mich lange Zeit in einer Kategorie (nicht direkt vom Genre her) mit Radiohead: Anspruchsvolle, unkonventionelle Indie-Musik, die nicht unbedingt einstiegsfreundlich ist und von der Kritik in Grund und Boden gelobt wird. Der einzige Unterschied ist, dass ich irgendwann angefangen habe, Radiohead zu "verstehen". Das hat mich jetzt noch nicht zu einem absoluten Radiohead-Fan gemacht aber zu wesentlich Verständnis und einem größeren Zugang gegenüber deren Kunst geführt. Ich warte bei Arcade Fire noch auf diesen Moment, dass ich irgendwann begreife, warum die jetzt was ganz besonderes und nicht "nur" eine gute Indie-Band sind. - Was ich Arcade Fire zu Gute halten muss. Sie versprühen immer eine gewisse Leichtigkeit und Gelassenheit. - Die Songs sind breit arrangiert und abwechslungsreich komponiert. - Dennoch klickt es irgendwie nicht bei mir. Die Mucke von denen lässt mich (bisher) einfach kalt. Es fällt mir schwer, irgendetwas markantes, charakteristisches auszumachen, auch wenn ich sie per se nicht schlecht finde. es ist wie ein toll gezeichnetes Bild einer schönen Landschaft, wo man Handwerk, Idee und Endprodukt total wertschätzen kann, aber das Bild einen im Endeffekt nicht berührt. 3/5
Rating: 2,75 / 5 ⭐
The album was definitely a vibe. I always seem to mistake Arcade Fire for Arctic Monkeys though. This time was no different.
Favorite tracks were Rococo and Wasted Hours. I wasn’t familiar with the most popular songs on the albums (first two tracks). Solid 3.5, enjoyable but not my new favorite.
Not my cup of tea. Think the album is very of it's time, but doesn't personally stand the test of time.
Arcade Fire's peak. Supposedly. With the album infamously winning a Grammy to the confusion of Poptimist "Who the fuck is Arcade Fire" Twitter, it seemed like the Pitchfork-nerds had won and indie rock was gonna rule. And I've always felt to that sentiment: "Thanks to this album? Really?" Conventional discourse pegged this album as better than its predecessor Neon Bible. I disagree, this album is worse. It's supposedly "less epic, more stripped down" than Neon Bible. That's false, its bloody longer and too long. But also true, because it doesn't have quite the bombastic soundscape as Neon Bible. That honestly is a negative for me; how many albums can boast having a fucking church organ!??! With almost 15 years behind us and with the foresight that, no, indie rock did not Own Music, the question that remains is: is this actually a good album on its own or not? You'd be forgiven for thinking it is an album of the year, based on the first few tracks. The opening title track immediately introduces the premise of both nostalgia for as well as disgust of Suburbia via a fictional suburban effectively. The track leads nicely into the next track Ready to Start, a good barnburner. Rococo, Empty Room and City with No Children are a step up, each song creating a unique sonic different from the other, the first having slow decay of the decadent, the second mixing punk with chamber music, and the third doing Arcade Fire's trademark anthemics. However, the conceit of "stripped down Arcade Fire" means that, slowly over the course of the album, you notice the band reusing their sonic and lyrical tricks. Modern Man is a nice but inessential track. Both Half Light tracks are long and meandering, as is Suburban War. Month of May feels like a repeat of their previous punky song. And Wasted Hours sure feels like an apt title. By the time Deep Blue plays, I realised what was grating me. The basic songs put more focus on Win Butlers singing. Problem is, he sings very basic shit. Not necessarily wrong shit (you'll have to wait till the album Everything Now for that), but shit that doesn't make you go 'aha' or articulate a known feeling in a new, precise way. It's more like rote teenage shit we all wrote that is at best not very unique and at worst cringe. The album sputters on until the second-to-last song Sprawl II; a slice of pure, affirming synth-pop not by Win Butler but Regine Chassange. If only "Arcade Fire goes back to basics" was more like this. Usually when an artist is in their imperial phase, they tend to overdo stuff just to see what they can get away with. Fans will praise that stuff, while detractors look around confused, asking how everyone is overlooking the obvious problems. The Suburbs is Arcade Fire in their imperial phase, but for some reason they chose to both overindulge as well as strip back. In doing so, Arcade Fire turn their biggest strengths into their biggest weaknesses. Epic orchestras become an overreliance on everything-but-the-kitchen-sink instrumentation. Ambitious concepts become way too long pop songs. And the earnestness of the lyrics become very Basic lyrics by Win "I am a creep yet I describe myself being in an open relationship" Butler, sometimes so Basic they fall back into being pretentious. But that's a Reflektion for another time. Strong 3
It's fine I guess, I don't really get the concept though
Solid, couple of hits
I think it was repetitive near the end but enjoyed the first half a lot
What Kai said, like exactly.
I used to be anti-Arcade Fire for literally no reason. So this was good for me. The first two songs on the album are so good, back-to-back. For the rest of it, I found myself losing interest and forcing myself back to paying attention to the music. I guess that makes it 3 stars.
Antes de escuchar alguna de sus canciones pensaba que eran temas de The Cure.
Ok
This would’ve blown me away like…10 years ago (or would it? I remember the singles ok), but it was a slog for now me. Also the lead singer’s BEEN outed as a creep so it’s no loss 4 me.
6.8
Idk
I've definitely been at a 2010s house party or two where this album has played. Easy listening for me; not particularly exciting but not at all bad. Gonna have Rococo stuck in my head forever. This is a solid 3.5 and I wish I could rate it as such.
A couple songs I dug. I liked the vibe overall. Not sure I’ll come back to the album as a whole.
Suburban.
I can't find anything that I love or hate about it. It's better than I thought it would be.
meh
Bra melodier. Svag 3
😐
giving it a three because I can’t be bothered to listen to the whole thing (I will be better I just want to get this one out of the way to see if it lets me rate the next one). didn’t particularly enjoy ‘the suburbs’ as an opening track, something about that 2010’s jangly keyboard does not appeal to me and I don’t particularly like their vocal style… take a shot every time this man says ‘the kids’ there’s something so corny about that to me and I don’t think the lyricism is that good, but again I can’t judge much because I didn’t listen to the whole thing 👎🏻 pace and feel of ‘ready to start’ and ‘empty room’ was a bit more for me but I still feel like it fell a bit flat. sorry arcade fire I’m sure you’re great and defo one of those albums where if I grew up on it I’d love it but it just didn’t jump out to me