Reviews (page 9 of 13)
Good vibe
Bra platta. Starka låtar rakt igenom. Ingen som står ut som dunderhit, men ett jämnstarkt album.
Had heard of them and now I know them. I have already listened to this album two more times before I rated it. Loved it and think it belongs on the list.
Solid album. I liked it
good
Similar like Get Well Soon.
I thought the first song was pretty good. Then the next song sounded a lot like the first one and I thought these guys have a pretty distinct sound. Then the rest of the album sounded the same and I reconsidered. All the songs would probably be good on their own, but it was hard to listen to the whole album.
I don’t support people who have sexual assault complaints filed against them
takes some doing to make me sad while making a heart and bow themed bridal shower scrapbook, well done arcade fire
Instantly forgettable, totally non attention grabbing, boring, not much more to say really.
I don’t like Arcade Fire. Some songs sound like Bruce Springsteen. I don’t like Bruce Springsteen either.
Another great drama class indie rock pearl.
Yawn. The musicians are not unskilled, but this just wasn't for me.
I continue to be baffled by the selection process for this list. After 300+ albums, my main complaint is how often they select a band's first album since I thought the point of this list was "influential" albums, and many times (not always!) bands are kinda working out the kinks and finding their sound on their first album, and they dial it in and become good/popular/influential on their later albums. In this case, this is neither the first nor the best album by Arcade Fire in my opinion. I love the songs "Keep the Car Running" and "No Cars Go" but the rest of the album kinda blends together. I don't dislike the other songs, but this is not an album I ever choose to listen to from start to finish, so I kinda wish they had picked The Suburbs instead. Anyway, I generally like Arcade Fire and their expansive sound, but I also generally don't love everything they do. They're good and they're unique and I appreciate their whole vibe, but intrinsically they're not a 5 star band for me. 3.8
This is my first Arcade Fire record. I don't have a good reason for that, but it is what it is. This was a mistake on my part. Don't be like me.
A mix of so many different influenves and vibes - To me, the style gets tiring after a bit, but still true and great
Organs!
I’m too old for this to be “the music of my youth” so I never listened to a full Arcade Fire album before today. But I have always heard that Arcade Fire was on the vanguard of this generation of indie rock. I quite liked this. Good energy, musicianship and lyrics; I will seek out more of their work. 4⭐️
I have listened to this album at least two dozen times over the last decade and a half, giving it a new chance every time I do. And I do this because I consider the albums that are chronologically on either side of it, the spontaneity of "Funeral" and the oppressing undercurrent of "The Suburbs," absolute masterpieces. But the spark I have with those albums, as well with "Reflektor," never happened to me with the dark "Neon Bible". While I really appreciate some of the highlights of this album, like "Intervention" and "No Cars Go," the whole is a bit too much bombast, a bit too much kitsch. It's a 3,5* for me
Not a fan, something just seemed off about it. It sounded like music but didn't feel like music, I don't know how to explain it.
Why do critics have such a hard-on for Arcade Fire when they sound like every other indie rock band of their time?
A solid 2 stars. 1 for effort and 1 for ending it under an hour. Nothing too memorable. Forgot the name of the band half way into it.
I do like the sound of the album it has an indie intensity that is strong here but its influence seems unfortunate with bands like Imagine Dragons. I do think the intensity feels like they churn out the same thing song after song but it’s not a terrible song…. With so many musicians you would think they could create a more varied output.
Pretty boring - kind of gloomy, not melodic enough to suit my tastes, and the singer has quite a whiny voice. But not actively bad
I have an Arcade album that I like. This is not it. This one dragged.
Slower than id like, but good atmosphere
great but not their best work
Montreal indie rockers Arcade Fire had a pretty steady ascent to fame, arguably peaking with their third album The Suburbs which netted them a Grammy for Album of the Year after two prior albums only getting nominated for Best Alternative Music Album. In retrospect, Neon Bible only seems like a stepping stone for the band, but in a vacuum it's a great bit of indie rock that highlights how ambitious the band can really be.
# Album Name: Neon Bible # Artist: Arcade Fire # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Really good start to the album with black mirror, keep the car running and neon bible. The first two songs are quite upbeat and rocking then neon bible takes the tones right down. The album does lull in the middle but finishes on a strong with the final two tracks - no cars go and my body is a cage. 5 or 6 good tracks on an album is a cracking effort. Yes, it is a bit 00's indie but its a good listen. # Top Tunes: lack mirror, keep the car running and neon bible no cars go and my body is a cage # Would I listen to it again? Probably the 5-6 tracks i mentioned. Bin the rest
Great energy on this one! Pop, a little bit bluesy at times. Mixes things up, loads of layers, the album flies by. Very enjoyable.
Solid indie rock. There's not a skip track on this album. Enjoyable listen.
It was okay, kinda boring but I do like a few songs. I feel like I need to be in the right mindset for this more calming music
Ending on a resounding note, this is very good, and I enjoyed it greatly.
canada is just indie america so this tracks
" I get it now" -- Frank Reynolds. I loved this album, I wish I could listen to it more but I am like two weeks behind this challenge. Fantastic listen, love them now.
I can honestly say I liked this album more than their third album in their "golden trifecta" of albums, although that seems to be against the norm compared to the other reviews I read of this album on here. But who knows, I like Sam's Town more than Hot Fuss (of The Killers obviously) so maybe I'm just broken. That said I still don't get why arcade fire are as popular as they are. Although I enjoyed more songs off of this album and found a few stand outs very interesting + enjoyable to listen to, overall I still find arcade fire's sound very bland. Just a personal opinion. 4/5 for this album in particular. Maybe I'll like the next arcade fire more, as I'm assuming their first "golden" album made this list as well.
Great listen front to back. I look forward to getting the Suburbs.
Really not my taste
Whenever I listen to Arcade Fire, I feel like I'm listening to a musical, for better and for worse. Despite the really interesting lyrical themes going on, and the varied instrumentation, there's this sort of box that it seems to stay inside, like the limits of a stage. That sounds uncharitable, and maybe it is. But I think fully embracing the aesthetic, a dash of whimsy, would go a long way. As it stands, it takes itself a bit too seriously. There are some really compelling songs, but they're peppered with Indie™ hallmarks that sometimes make me groan. "No Cars Go" is a case in point: brilliant instrumentation, but there's that goddamn "HEY" that's inescapable. It's still think it's a good song, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't hamper my enjoyment. In Arcade Fire's defence: this came out in 2007, presumably before these conventions became so overused. Alas, I'm listening to this in 2024. The production is... interesting. Undecided on whether I like it or not. Sometimes it sounds full and sparse at the same time. The lyrics are where this album really shines. And I love that organ, that proper church organ. Fav tracks: Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go, My Body Is a Cage
It's an ok album, my body is a cage is definitely the best song. I do prefer other arcade fire albums more.
..
I finished it but would not return
I like arcade fire this one was ok I enjoyed the other albums better
Better than I expected. Reminded me of Echo & the Bunnymen
Terrible cover artwork. And I find this sort of thing a bit tiresome. Sounds like indie-by-numbers, mashing together all the 'best' bits of various other bands. It feels calculated and empty. Throw that into the new world where not only has every band that every existed reformed and gone on a reunion tour, but at least one member of any given band will have a skeleton that will pop out of its closet at some point and it's hard to just enjoy this as music, given that backdrop, whether true or not.
Chirst. I fucking hate this indie shite.
The musical equivalent of a bowling alley. Bright, a little bit forced, but ultimately an okay day out.
Groupe inconnu. L'instrumentation est originale, mais je ne trouve pas le résultat très intéressant. Aucun morceau ne m'a marqué. =>2/5
Not a big fan.
7/10…
It was alright
This was like a rock opera for hipsters. I didn't hate it, but I doubt I'll revisit this album ever again.
To me this sounds like they're trying too hard to be unusual and avant-garde and they are overreaching big time. The music bed underneath is extremely basic
Never quite saw why they were so lauded.
i genuinely hate when the band is good but the frontman is an abuser
I really thought that I was going to hate this, but it wasn't bad. It felt long though.
Sad but great
quite depressive
Christians have a hard time getting people to read the Holy Bible because it's deemed as "boring", but the Neon Bible isn't much more exciting. Arcade Fire's "Funeral" album has a little magic to it, and was much more exciting; this one deflates that. Maybe that was their Funeral. Favorite Track: "Keep The Car Running"
This is a band I really didn’t care for when they first came out. Trying to keep an open mind here. The first track is kinda cool. Second one not so much. From there it’s very meh. Like a pretentious Bruce Springsteen. The last track is closer to Neil Young and is probably the best tune.
Meh
I'm not exactly sure why this one was celebrated so much by critics. It feels a bit pretentious on a lot of the tracks, and I didn't feel like the music was that fantastic. I mostly preferred the tracks that were a bit orchestral/symphonic and found the rest just fine. I might remember this one more from the cool band/album name, and the cool album art than for its music in the future if I had to guess. The songs are fading from my memory today already. Standouts Intervention Black Wave/Bad Vibrations 3/5
i freak with it
my favourite of theirs, quite varied.
Nah.
Meh.
Generic pop/rock. Not bad, just boring.
I’m a fan of Funeral, The Suburbs, Reflektor, and even their soundtrack for the movie Her (check it out, amazing film). However, I’ve never listened to Neon Bible, so I was excited to dive in. The first three tracks were forgettable, except for the repetitive “Neon Bible,” which I wish was forgettable. However, Intervention was a nice change of pace that reminded me of arcade fire’s charm, and everything thereafter opened up more. Ocean of Noise ended beautifully. As did The Well and the Lighthouse. And I love the strings, dynamics, and high stakes in No Cars Go. Unfortunately, it has little replay value for me, except for like 3-4 songs.
very good. 3.5
nice chill album
Nicely made. Fairly exhausting by the end
I can understand why Arcade Fire's Funeral is on this list. Neon Bible however the band's play on their faith and struggles with it falls flat and doesn't help convince a listener that this is a must-listen album. 2.5/5.
It was okay.
Drony whiny indie garbage
I never noticed before but I get heavy shades of Deacon Blue. A bit less cast of Les Mis on this.
No cars go is definitely my favorite.
I just cannot get into Arcade Fire. I'm not sure why. I listened to this album three times and didn't save one song. It's a bummer, I want to like them!
Upbeat, festive and lively. Elements of folk, rock, classical all enveloped in this record. It's been some time since I last listened to this but I'm reminded of how good it is and I understand why it's on this list. Unique sound that Arcade Fire brings and it's very pleasant to listen to.
Over. Rated.
Intervention showcases arcade fire at its best. Big emotional builders that hit ya in the feels. Great stuff. 3.5/5
Perfectly fine.
Wasn't great, wasn't terrible
Liked it, very 2000s/2010s indie teen movie. Probably wouldn’t play it through again but I didn’t mind it while it was on!
Just not for me.
9/10
lol, i just listened to this as a palette cleanser after Boatman’s Call. needless to say, i love it (or 95% of it, don’t care as much for My Body Is A Cage)
3/5 Would listen to didn't have a fav song
The first Arcade Fire album on this list was pretty good and entertaining... This wasn't... 2/5
First time listening through the album, thought it was excellent and would listen again.
Another band that I knew was popular and was sure I had heard their music, but could not associate any songs with. I did recognize many of these songs and quite enjoyed the entire album.
Bleh
It's fine. It's okay. I keep thinking it sounds like a bunch of older stuff, but I can't quite put my finger on who it is they're trying to sound like. Maybe it's everyone, they want to be all previous popular bands so are throwing everything at it in the hope something sticks. I get why some would really like this, but it sounds like a cheap copy of a copy of a copy.
Took me right back to 2007 but not my hugest vibe—organs and shrill background vocals can sometimes take me out of the moment. Dope lyrics though!
Pas ma cam
Eh, had some good moments but not enough to justify being on here. Especially since I think we got an album of theirs already.
We've had a couple from Arcade Fire by now, right? Think it's number 3, and it's solid as you'd expect I guess. I think I always gave them a bad rap, and unless I'm misremembering something Win Butler turned out to be a bit of a scumbag, but the music is really solid. "No Cars Go" was the highlight, good album. Favorite tracks: No Cars Go, Keep the Car Running, Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues). Album art: It really is a neon bible, props for dodging any false advertisement claims. Very cool cover though, possibly my favorite from them. Between this and Reflektor. 3.5/5
Finally listening to this band! People said they were like friko and I see it a little, def very belle and Sebastian but more dark. I like a lot.
Don't really get the hype - arcade fire are just ok
I know the name, I am familiar with a few of their songs, but I've never understood the hype around them, so I welcomed the opportunity to listen to an entire album that's considered essential. I like the opening track, "Black Mirror", "Keep The Car Running" feels familiar and sounds like a Springsteen penned song, didn't care for "Intervention" at all. It wasn't long before I was bored. His voice does nothing for me (he wouldn't last long on the cruise ship) it doesn't make me want to keep listening and I'm at a loss for why they're popular. They feel like that band everyone tells you you need to love, but they can't explain why. Not Top 1001 for me, I don't feel it's that solid, it has no anchor songs & I can't imagine it's influential cause all I hear are other bands in their songs (Springsteen, Talking Heads, The Killers, Chris Isaak). Not worthy, but thanks for confirming what I already thought.
some of it is good, it's just like. Some of it gives fl and it feels like i was listening to the x ambassadors at times. guy has a really nice voice, but I don't think I'll ever wanna listen again. title track good
Intervention, No Cars Go and My Body Is A Cage are all amazing songs on one of the best albums of Arcade Fire.
De beste Arcade Fire zonder twijfel. Net geen 5, want er staan ook wel een paar minder goeie nummers tussen. Intervention blijft wel hun beste nummer ooit. 4.3
This was a decent album. After listening to three Arcade Fire albums, I’m still not sure why they’re held up with such high praise, but they’re not bad overall. It’s a blend of indie rock, baroque pop, and art rock. The production is dense and atmospheric, with a darker, apocalyptic tone.
Neon Bible is the second album from Canadian band Arcade Fire. The album met with considerable critical success, as their first album did, but this one found international commercial success. The album was the first of a string of successful albums that pushed them into becoming one of the biggest bands in the world through the 2010s. The band makes rich, orchestrated alt-rock, giving their work a grandiose sound. Win Butler's earnest vocals add to the breadth of the sound, adding an element to their expansive sound. These songs, like "Keep the Car Running," have a danceable rhythms, and the energy of early Springsteen.
I don’t think it’s possible to make an album more forgettable than this. Music For Airports was more attention grabbing. Listening to this at times felt like listening to a bad Bruce Springsteen tribute act who for some reason refused to play any of the hits. The sound quality on this was also awful for an album recorded in the 2000s. Perhaps there’s a reason albums are generally recorded in studios and not churches. Honestly, literally nothing about this was interesting; It’s not even bad enough to merit a 1.
I have listened to a bit of Arcade Fire in the past. But not really anything on this album. I enjoyed it and would listen again. Simpsons: No
Bang average. 3 stars.
Nothing really stood out for me. I do like the album cover though
Exceptionally mid. Chris hit the nail on the head saying it was too boring to be worthy of a 1.
That was a lot better than I expected - a bit repetitive and self-indulgent but that's what indie is I guess.
This just seemed like a ho hum mediocre album to me. Probably should get a 3 to be right down the middle.
This was actually a really enjoyable, peaceful listen. Songs that I liked: My Body is a Cage, No Cars Go, Ocean of Noise, Black Wave/Bad Vibrations, Intervention. I liked the background voices/ instruments in a lot of these songs.
Not private session used for Spotify. I am have managed to avoid the drama around the lead singer of this band, so I can hang back and join the passionate rock.
My particular taste. But I can totally see why they are usually important and a lot of people's favorite
Always thought I could get into Arcade Fire but there wasn’t much to grab into here.
It's my sort of music, but I never liked Arcade Fire. And this hasn't changed my opinion. Not sure why I don't like it.
Enjoyed this, I think with more listens I would love it so I'm giving it a 4.
3.5/5
Enjoyed this one. Alternative 00s, what’s not to like?
I liked the album surprisingly well. I haven't heard any of it yet. It won't be one of my favorites, but maybe I'll listen to it again. 3/5
Boring!
Arcade Fire has probably lost a substantial amount of prestige over the last 8 year or so, but man their first three albums are incredible. Neon Bible is their most Springsteenian album, and I’m here for it. Keep The Car Running could be argued as their best song, and No Cars Go isn’t far behind. I have the perception that this album gets lost a bit between Funeral and The Suburbs, two absolute masterpieces. Even if I’d rank Neon Bible 3rd if I had to in their discography, it’s still a masterpiece in its own right, and an extremely cohesive, gorgeously crafted, unique record that holds up quite well. Reflektor was okay, but boy oh boy I’ve never seen a band fall so hard in quality after that. That said, few bands have ever had such a brilliant start as Arcade Fire, and Neon Bible is a key part of that.
The rise of a great band. AFter the lo-fi debut, here is where Arcade Fire really found their signature sound and took off. No cars go,,,, yeah!
Eh, I don’t get it. Samey music that just sounds sad or bored.
The specific atmosphere of this album hit just right today, and I really enjoyed it. Grandiose, kind of melancholy, very catchy. Listened while driving home at sunset after dropping my sister off at the airport.
Great
Prefer The Suburbs.
Arcade Fire son el máximo exponente del indie-rock más épico realizado en Montreal en el inicio del milenio. Tras un éxito fulminante en 2004 con su primer trabajo, Funeral, el grupo se dispuso a grabar Neon Bible en una iglesia a las afueras de la ciudad. Se trata de un disco grandioso en lo sonoro, en el que encontramos órganos de tubos, un coro militar e incluso una orquesta al completo. Abre el disco con la melancolía de "Black Mirror" y sus pantallas negras como metáfora de un futuro orwelliano. Me gusta "Keep the Car Running", segunda canción del disco, en la que con un ritmo contagioso el narrador cuenta su miedo a un "ellos" que podrían ir a buscarle y por eso hay que tener el coche preparado par huir, seguramente la continuación lógica de la metáfora del tema anterior. También me gusta la antémica y antibelicista "Intervention", con ese futuro distópico expuesto en las canciones previas, y la necesidad de retomar el control y no obedecer ciegamente a líderes políticos y espirituales. "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" es grandiosa, así como el remake orquesta del clásico en directo "No Cars Go" en el que quizás nos hablen de un tema tan mundano como el cierre de la planta de la General Motors en Oshawa, Ontario, y sus graves efectos para las familias, como de algo más profundo: las luces se apagan y empieza el sueño-pesadilla. "Windowsill" me encanta, por su sonido épico para hablarnos de ruptura generacional con un mundo que provoca guerras y crisis climáticas, un mundo que alimenta la cultura del miedo para mantener el control de la gente... sencillamente genial.
honestly not too bad, was okay. Higher 2 I’d say.
Arrangements are great. Favorite track: Intervention. This is one where I wish I could give half ratings. 4.5 rounded up
almost a 5.
Something different for me Really enjoyed it Like really.
HOLY HEAVENS. THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. I didn't think much about it in the first 2 songs or so, and froze on the 3-4th songs and so forth! How beautiful these were! I'm so happy that I discovered this album. Some of my favorites, though not all: Neon Bible Intervention (especially the lines: "Been workin' for the Church while your life falls apart / Been singin' hallelujah with the fear in your heart / Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home") Black Wave / Bad Vibrations Ocean of Noise Windowsill No Cars Go My Body Is a Cage
Favorite Tracks: Intervention My Body Is a Cage (Antichrist Television Blues)
Great Album bought this the day it came out after getting into them through their previous album Funeral, even saw them play in Dublin on the Neon Bible your they were excellent. This Album is probably my favourite Arcade Fire album packed full of great tunes:- Keep The Car Running, Intervention, No Cars Go, My Body Is A Cage, Black Mirror and Ocean Of Noise but (Antichrist Television Blues) is my personal favourite.
not my fave
Unreal.
Neon Bible, like all Arcade Fire, just ain't for me. Not a sound I appreciate or enjoy, I get a sense of the atmosphere and performance they're trying to get across, but it bores the shit out of me. A 2 based on that, they've never ever been my thing.
Well, I think this is great. Starts slowly, I'd say the first three tracks are probably the weakest on the album, definitely the weakest section, but Intervention is great and it just builds from there, I wouldn't skip any of the tracks after that. The big sound that comes from having the organ is great, but they probably play on it a bit too much and keep everything a bit too slow for a bit too long (even the fast start from a couple of the song fades away too quickly). Then the sound gets huge for the closer, which is utterly superb. 4/5.
Vaikea levy päästä kunnolla kiinni. Ei hyvä, ei huono, ei mitään? Kolme kertaa kuuntelin päivän aikana ja jokaisella kerralla edellistä parempi kokemus.
Aika lame, 2007 vuoden levy enkä oikeen ymmärtäny mitä uutta/erikoista toi musaskeneen
Every time I listen to arcade fire, because it's so praised by the critics, I enjoy it, but it just doesn't blow me away. I like the dark parts of this album. (Antichrist Television Blues), Keep the Car Running and Windowsill are my favorites.
I remember when this album was heavily marketed around release and I completely wrote it off as pretentious indie crap after only hearing little snippets here and there. But now that I'm a little older, and willing to broaden my horizons, I'm looking back at younger me wondering what an idiot I was; because 'Neon Bible' is a legitimately fantastic album. I know the majority of this was recorded in a renovated church; and I usually dismiss these kind of methods as inconsequential to the listener. However, I feel it actually does make an impact here. The sound oozing from each song is entirely gothic, ethereal, and mystical; almost as if you can visualize the very interior of the building they recorded in. You can feel all of this particularly in the double-crescendo the album leads to with 'No Cars Go' and 'My Body Is A Cage' - with their intense orchestral arrangements and haunting instrumentation. While Butler takes lead vocals on most tracks, I think where it really shines is when Chassagne joins him. They work incredibly well together. 'Black Wave/Bad Vibrations' and 'The Well And The Lighthouse' are also huge standouts as a result. It's also lyrically introspective, filled with questions regarding the commercialization of religion/faith, and chilling societal commentary; and it all combines into a very rewarding listen. At its very base, this would fall into the crowd of many albums college kids raved about around that time. But Arcade Fire set themselves apart by, not just adding the above elements, but exceeding with them.
This was a bit of an odd one for me. On first listen it just didn't grab me at all. However with each subsequent listen it got a little better. I still wouldn't call it great, but it's certainly not bad.
Bien, pero no me ha encantado
Your basic Indie-band album.
I can find no reason to recommend this to anyone.
Wasn’t too bad but just lacked character
Wonderful album from start to finish. One of the best bands from post 2000, and one of my three favourite Arcade Fire albums
Really enjoyed this! Very good. 4/5
pretty cool as background working music! actually kind of liked it, more on the chill vibes side
Nice
The best of the Arcade Fire albums I've had so far on this generator (also had The Suburbs, and Funeral). Favourite songs: Intervention, Windowsill, Keep the Car Running, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go Least favourite songs: My Body is a Cage 4/5
It was an inoffensive listen. Might revisit to see if it grows on me.
There are some great songs on this record, but I'm not sure they work well together as an album. Experiencing the album as a whole gives a disjointed feeling between the songs, even though the sound and content of the songs are very good. I will leave 3 stars today.
Gave it a shot but arcade fire just isn't for me. Just seemed very monotonous. Low 2.
I'm a sucker for indie rock Favorites: "Black Mirror", "Intervention", "Ocean of Noise", "My Body Is a Cage"
Spent some time listening to this one. It is definitely an album of substance. You have to love a song with pipe organ! Each song sounds so different from the next. Antichrist Television Blues' lyrics are insightful. Win Butler's voice sounds so much like Bruce Springsteen's on ATB that I spent a lot of time looking for a guest performer credit on the song. There is a haunting feeling listening to The Well and the Lighthouse. It's a really good album, but after a lot of thought, it's not a great album in my opinion.
Another pretentious indie folk rock album
Some songs were decent, some dragged out a bit long. A mixed bag but not many I'd listen to again. I didn't mind listening to it though. Highlights: Keep the Car Running The Well and the Lighthouse
I'm a sucker for AF. 5/5
Good indie rock, but didn’t blow my socks off
Скучные библейские синты. Писюн не встал
Loved it
This sounded good but they are not my type of band.
Arcade Fire always seems on the edge of being appealing to me, but they are just a bit too blase and boring, when it really comes down to it. It feels like they are "color by numbers" in the way they do many things "right" for indie rock but also don't seem to stand out or take enough risks or are edgy enough in any ways for m. However, I can't complain about the music, really, and there definitely is some talent in the music and some of the lyrics. I just wish I could really feel at all attached to it or challenged in any way.
3 - Some tracks hit: Cemetry Gates, I know It's Over, second half of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Despite this, many are very forgettable or just mid. The harsh transitions between tracks can be jarring. I was mostly impressed that the album kept me mostly engaged throughout the run. It definitely benefits from being a short listen.
8/13/24. Arcade Fire is underappreciated I think. a lot of their songs don't sonud the same and they attempt to push their limits. This one is definitely woth a revisit!
Maybe it's because of how ubiquitous it was , maybe it's the lead vocals, or maybe it's the sound mixing, but something didn't chime with me. Feels like a parody of everything people are known not to like about 2000s indie.
Felt very meh, almost like background music designed not to be noticed
I feel like Jean Girard after watching Highlander. I continue to be baffled by the hype around this band. So far it's the best album I've heard from Arcade Fire. It's like Bruce Springsteen but bad, boring and forced through a 2000s hipster filter.
Is three stars too high for albums I feel indifferent to? Because I give a lot of albums I feel indifferent to three stars
Once again another ho-hum album on the list. Nothing too exciting or terrible.
Just as good as the other album. It was very close to a five just because of the whole set up and execution of the album was amazing
Quite enjoyed this. Much like “The Suburbs” it had a very nice sound and the lyrics, while they didn’t make 100% sense 100% of the time, were at least interesting and attention grabbing. I thought Win’s voice sounded good, much better than on “Funeral” which I did not like nearly as much. Overall a very solid album that I would listen to again.
another solid "meh" album on this list.
4.5
-I’d say I like it. Started off pretty strong and kind of meandered a little toward the end, but it has some very interesting lyrics/themes and instrumentation. The female vocals are awesome and I wish there were more of them -Favorites are Black Mirror, Black Wave / Vibrations, and Ocean of Noise
I wish I liked this more than I do. It’s kind of like a muddy Springsteen.
I listened to it but I don't remember a thing about it
Don’t remember much. Seemed ordinary.
Classic and fun as hell. 4.5 stars
A goddamn classic. 2004-2011 indie is unparalleled IMO, and Arcade Fire is such an important part of that era. Neon Bible seems to get overshadowed by Funeral and The Suburbs, but it holds up as an equal. I could listen to this start to finish any day.
Arcade is definitely fire!
Couldn't get into it. Just didn't care about any of it
Another Arcade Fire album! This one’s not as great but still decent
Moody textured and philosophical
ive always thought arcade fire were a bit overrated and this doesnt change that. the compositions arent bad and perhaps for their time they were more interesting but nowadays this is just inferior bcnr. 6/10
4.4
First listen, liked it, worth playing again.
whatever 6/10
I thought Funeral was my favorite Arcade Fire album and only remembered liking a few songs from Neon Bible. But listening again I realize the entire album is good. Unfortunately, when I listen to the Arcade Fire now I can't help but think of the accusations made against Win Butler. I guess they ended up not going anywhere, but it does linger in the minds of the fans because he didn't deny it, but merely said it was consensual. There's no way to prove it either way, but when multiple people come forward saying the same thing happened... It is hard not to think it might be true and this person may have done something wrong. And then I have to wonder why bands that I enjoy keep getting accusations made against them? Brand New for example. How can I listen to Brand New without thinking about the accusations against Jesse Lacey. Maybe the shit these artists do makes for good creative fodder which is really fucked up, but I'm just theorizing here. Anyway, I have a hard time separating the artist's personal life from the art they create, but if I really objectively do separate those two things the art does stand up on its own.
Immediately love Black Mirror, also love the classic Ocean of Noise. I also love the title song, Neon Bible.
Chill
A little bit cooler than The Suburbs, i guess. Doesn’t really say much though.
Guarantee they bring a ton of energy to the performance. Versus the album, which is great, but always feels a little… restrained, and not in a way that’s helping the songs. I can see why Bowie loved these guys. His sensibilities are written all over these songs. “Antichrist Television Blues” reminds me of a Springsteen song. Just can’t place which one. Everything has this folky spoken word quality. I never quite got the vocal contrast between verse and chorus I wanted, where the verse was doing one thing and then the chorus did something that really contrasted with it. Love that the vocal isn’t perfect. Plenty of bum notes but he’s selling the shit out of it so it totally works. Where is that female vocal coming from? With all the AI vocals running around now it made me curious if it’s a real person or if it’s the lead singer’s voice pitch shifted. I wonder the same thing when I hear a female vocal in Steven Wilson’s music. “My Body is a Cage” is very strong and a GREAT close to the album.
Yuk!!!
I really enjoyed this but for its notable moments. 6.8/10
Puros palos, tremenda banda 9/10
9/10
Pretty good! Wish I would’ve listened a little bit better to be honest but I liked their sound.
Cracking album, can’t believe it’s 20 years since it was released.
Not good
Just average for me.
6.5/10
They could have done with sneaking a few bottles of wine into the studio. Interesting, but too sombre for me. I could hear some good influences, from singer-songwriter right through to New Order, but they all came out badly in the mix. The Killers did it better; this is too intense and misses the fun.
Arcade Fire - another of those bands people rave about but I don't get and couldn’t even name a track. Still don’t get.
3.67 rym indie di merda 1/5
Hit or miss. Opening track is great. Title track is garbage. The whole album is like this. A tug-of-war between good/interesting and bad/dull.
Genuinely did not like this, not the genre for me.
Overrated
Algún skip pero redondeamos hacia arriba
Bold and exuberant. Rich, multi-layered orchestration. Unique and varied instrumentation (mandolins, flutes, strings, horns, and a goddam church pipe organ!). And it all rocks! No one else sounds like Arcade Fire...(except when they're doing their Springsteen impersonation...see "Keep the Car Running" and "Antichrist Television Blues"...which are also great, btw). Despite its dark lyrics and heavy subject matter, the album somehow maintains an anthemic, cathartic, and triumphant tone. Every track is a keeper, but the best are: Black Mirror Intervention Antichrist Television Blues And that closer...."My Body Is a Cage" Holy f@ck! What was THAT??!! I think their stunning debut, Funeral, is superior...but this is a worthy follow up.
very good tunes, would like to listen some more, probably 3.5.
meh, po nazwie spodziewałem się czegoś elektronicznego ;-)
So far I like it more than the other album by AF I had earlier. It sounds mixed better some how - it still very much sounds like arcade fire, they have such a cohesive sound. Not my favourite sound in the world but I have enjoyed this album. Loved no cars go and my body is a cage is brilliant 3.5/4
Feels like the type of records I almost love but I just just couldn.t get into this one.
Amazing, should listen more to Arcade Fire
Was not excited to listen to this in the slightest. I gave it a shot and it lived up to my expectations. All around a boring listen. Sure it is well produced and uses a lot of organ, but it's so whiny and boring in its compositions.
- Zu Arcade Fire im Allgemeinen habe ich alles schon in der Rezension zu Suburbs gesagt. Daran hat sich auch eigentlich auch nicht wirklichs geändert; außer, dass ich eventuell angefangen habe Arcade Fire mit diesem Album zu verstehen. - Es gefällt mir jetzt gerade nach einem Hören und kurzem Vergleich mit Suburs wesentlich besser als das "Berühmtere" Werk der Band. - Coole Ideen, ehrliche Texte. teils schwere-melodramatische Passagen, die mich unvorbereitet erwischt und gezündet haben; sei es bei Keep The Car Running, Intervention oder No Cars Go. - Ich bin jetzt vielleicht nicht geläutert oder erleuchtet, ich hatte aber sehr viel Spaß mit dem Album. Vielleicht ist das endlich der Anfang einer Verbindung zu einer Band, die mich peripher schon seit Jahrzehnten umgibt. 4,25/5
- ganz gut gewesen, aber wieder mal nichts wirklich herausgestochen für mich (allerhöchstens die letzten beiden Tracks ein wenig) -
I have a few songs of Arcade Fire on a few compilation albums. But I don't have any of their albums. This one is not bad. For sure I will look into their other albums as well.
Hipster nonsense. It has a few decent spots but I'll never get the hype around this band.
Rather than loving all of Arcade Fire I very much appreciate their music. I think the pain they sing about or through perhaps is something I'm unfamiliar with or haven't processed yet. There are some specific songs I really like in the middle stretch, especially "(Antichrist Television Blues)". There's just a slight lethargy that feels American and not personally resonant. Maybe the next year will change that for me. This (a repeat comment) is music that I think would really change if seen live - might just be the fact that I have to use stupid adapters to actually listen to it but I suppose there's something satisfyingly begrudging about that. Really growing into the album. "No Cars Go" is great and punchy, like I'm running about in a park. 4.05 is predicated very much on an appreciation of how "good" the overall musical quality is. Wouldn't say I prefer it to some other albums with similar ratings but it itches a different scratch. Was going to say that the final song wasn't changing my mind but that switch-up was great - really an album that I want better headphones for. Upping to 4.1.
Good album sounds similar to the killers
No idea. Seems very bland to me. Yes it has an original dramatic quality to it but never seems to pick up any real pace. It's not as epic as it thinks it is. Also, like the similarly incomprehensibly successful The Killers he sings like a third rate Meatloaf, and I don't like Meatloaf either. I think you had to be there or something.
Yup, solid. Deserved the acclaim it got at the time.
overblown, pseudo-dramatic, like a goth ELO, with hints of U2 and occasional nursery rhyme melodies.
One of my fav albums ever!
I really like Arcade Fire but this album really didn’t do anything for me. Maybe it hit me on the wrong day.. added the title track to my playlist as no specific song jumped out at me
Arcade Fire kind of feels like it only does one sound but they do build energy and a bit of a grandiose sound fairly well. I often hear them and wonder if there's more going on that I'm not hearing. I enjoyed their later album that Bowie worked on with them but as an earlier career release this isn't bad. From what I hear about their popularity I'm missing something that everyone else is hearing on this one.
The arrangements are spectacular. The lyrical content is interesting. The production didn't feel as dynamic as it could be. I would need more listens. There is a lot going on. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations caught my attention.
One of the standards for indie music of this era. Lots of great songs.
Bit disappointing to be honest
College classic. Still feels like every trailer ever had these songs.
Not bad, per se, but a total snooze.
Three of AF's albums in the first 150 I have listened to. This album is fine start to finish. Interesting lyrics, music and themes. Notable song is "Keep the Car Running" and "Intervention".
Solid
I've never listened to this album before (don't judge, I've probably heard stuff on this list that you haven't...) It's big, grand, I like the churchy scale of it and the organ. I know Arcade Fire was an influential band, and this is a pretty interesting listen, so a spot on this list for this album seems fair enough. 3.5
Ikke så god som Funeral. Men en ganske god plade.
Muy bueno.
Two years ago, Arcade Fire’s earnest, wholesome appeal was punctured when everyman Win Butler received four sexual assault allegations. At the time, I worshipped “Funeral” and “The Suburbs”and was gutted by the news. My appetite to discover the band’s wider discography shrivelled and died, and I haven’t heard anything of any of their other albums since. Now, on the very day Arcade Fire are playing “Funeral” in London (I considered it, but persuaded myself not to go) this album appears, forcing me to listen to them. And to muddy the waters of my convictions even more, “Neon Bible” turned out to be really great. Curse you, album gods! This is the band’s second album, and has the daunting challenge of building upon one of the most revered debut albums ever in “Funeral”. Despite the name, the streamlined, Tron-like album art and much reference to technology and alienation, “Neon Bible” isn’t too far removed from the sound of “Funeral”. It’s a fair bit more grandiose- cranking up the reverb and slathering organ everywhere- but there are touches of the homespun and baroque too (harpsichord here, string quartet there, mandolin or glockenspiel elsewhere, etc…) “Neon Bible” isn’t an album for subtlety, as the bigger the sound grows, the more satisfying it is. On the one hand, opener “Black Mirror” is a slightly underwhelming smudge of sound, the title track is a muted dud and “Ocean of Noise” takes until the outro to get off the ground. But on the other, “Keep the Car Running” is a glistening adrenaline rush. “Intervention” is a seismic prayer into the void. And towards the end of the record, the desperation of young adulthood tips over into melodrama, with the haunted folk of “(Antichrist Television Blues)” and the stirring “Windowsill”. But it’s the one-two punch at the end which seals “Neon Bible” as a strong album, standing as two of the best songs I’ve heard by the band. “No Cars Go” is soaring, transcendent, and possibly the most epic song in existence to wield an accordion refrain. “My Body Is A Cage” goes one further, with a truly epic outro which shatters everything before it and can only leave silence. I was not at all surprised to read the album was mostly recorded in a church. “Neon Bible” doesn’t quite reach the heights of the two albums either side of it in the band’s career, but today it gave me an excuse to indulge and enjoy Arcade Fire again. For that, I’m very grateful.
This was great stuff, I liked it a lot better than funeral
This was decent, definitely better for me than Funeral. I think this is one I would likely want to listen to again. 3.5/5
I really thought I wasn't gonna like this, after Funeral did nothing for me, and Reflektor not really doing much for me either. However, I really like this album. I don't know why, but it gets me in a way the others didn't. It honestly has me wanting to recheck out those other albums, and the others I haven't heard. 4/5
Mmh
Sometimes you go into an album with a certain prejudice or predisposition, knowing little about the artist or the genre or their music. When you do this, one of two things is going to happen: your prejudices will be confirmed, or they won’t be. You’ll be surprised by how wrong you were, or not surprised at all because it was exactly what you expected. I’ve often found with this project that I am wrong about a band or artist after listening to an album of there’s. And that’s been an awesome experience. I was not wrong here. I figured Arcade Fire was a hipster band, whose sound was “different,” possibly intentionally so, was adored by those who thought their tastes were better than yours, and who took themselves and their music overly seriously and whose songs invoke weird imagery and strange stories. And I came away feeling that way. It’s an interesting sound, to be sure. And I didn’t dislike it. But I just feel like it isn’t for me. It’s well made, well intentioned, and the people involved are talented. I just didn’t care. And that’s my prejudice prevented me from really enjoying this. I think it needs more consideration. Maybe I’ll give it that one day. For now, three stars. Benefit of the doubt. Standout Tracks: Keep the Car Running, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go
Wow! The percussion overall was a big highlight on this album, truth be told I’ve never listened to this one yet but it holds up to the rest of theirs. 3.5
Great Album
P fun
I wish there was an Arcade Fire album I liked in its entirety. The highs are high the lows are boring. This particular album is really frustrating to me because there are so many songs that i could almost really enjoy.
I used to live this album and the band but I've moved on and found 998 albums I would rather listen to instead
Already very familiar with this album. A great listen
The rocking-est part is offputting. But some of the singing sounded Bowie-esque.
Not I! I have heard of multiple Arcade Fire albums, but never this one. I was surprised to see this on the list, but it is my official introduction to Arcade Fire and I like what I heard. I’m excited to hear there other albums on the list whenever I get them.
Liked it more on a second listen! Would be a real 3.5 for me. Don't know if there's any single song I'm keen to relisten to but it's a nice package on its own merit.
Definitely went into this fairly Arcade Fire neutral, but even then was surprised by how unmoved I was by this. Wish it did more for me! Oh well!
More nostalgia! I like the organ and a lot of the orchestral sounding stuff. Not my favourite AF album and I kinda feel like I’ve grown out of them as a whole.
Liked it more than i remembered but i do not really enjoy these guys and their weirdo concept
Not my jam
Saved a few tunes
Ok, not my personal taste.
Arcade Fire is a band I don’t actively listen to, but always quite enjoy their music when I do!
Favourite tracks: my body is a cage; black mirror; keep the car running
The kind of nostalgia that hurts to listen to. I can barely listen to this album without feeling horrible about where my life is and the regrets I have. Amazing album though. So glad to have found it.
One of my favorite albums from the 2000's indie scene. All the feeling and emotion of "Funeral" but more upbeat and grandiose.
The more I listen to Arcade Fire the more they just kinda blend together. The first one I listened to was awesome and I loved it, but now I feel like it's just because that was my first time listening to Arcade Fire. This isn't bad by any means, but it isn't nearly as good as The Suburbs.
I asked for more Arcade Fire last week and the generator delivered. I really like their sound and liked this album. I did not, however, like this nearly as much as The Suburbs. I appreciate what they were going for, but it doesn’t all come together for me. I like individual songs though. Favorites were Keep The Car Running, Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues), and No Cars Go.
black mirror arcade fire 2007 1. black mirror: 9/10 2. keep the car running: 8/10 3. neon bible: 6/10 4. intervention: 9/10 5. black wave/bad vibrations: 7.5/10 6. ocean of noise: 7.5/10 7. the well and the lighthouse: 9/10 8. (antichrist relevision blues): 8/10 9. windowswill: 6/10 10. no cars go: 7.5/20 11. my body is a cage: 8/10 overall rating: 7.77/10
Wasn’t a fan of their style
relisten. deserves 5 stars for my body is a cage alone.
77/100
Not really my thing..
I really like this album. Arcade Fire's first 3 albums were fantastic. I haven't really listened to anything they did after Reflektor though. I should give it a shot.
Nice sound. Kinda epic and crunchy. And the lyrics are pretty good too.
Hmm… I get why people are crazy about Arcade Fire. But their lyrics…
It wasn't bad in fact there were lots of nice touches, but it was lacking a certain something to make it really good.
I enjoyed this more than I expected, but I also can't see me listening to it again.
Boring and generic.
Some bangers, cant reall understand words without lyrics pullef up
An album that’s dark, yet warm in its sound. It feels similar to Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s album Organisation. This was a strong, emotionally-packed record!
Solid album. Nice to listen to but one that won’t love long in the memory. 6/10
It's not my favorite but them. It has a couple good songs. This was the first album I heard by them and feel the same about it since it came out.
3/10
It's fire!
Solid sophomore LP. Great arrangements and production
Every song sounds exactly the same except for whether it's a man or woman singing. There's having a cohesive sound on an album and there's being repetitive. If you like once Arcade Fire song, you probably like them all.
I bought this album as soon as it came out because I loved the artwork and I was curious about the band. Man, did I luck out. The glorious aural scope of many of these songs still resonates 17yrs on. It’s my favourite Arcade Fire disc.
Lovely record.
'Indie rock' can't quite describe grandiose of this music
Take the glorifying and orchestrally complex indie music of Funeral, and add in darkness and angst. Continuous through theme, it paints a dark image of the American dream as it came to be, not how it is described. This really hit when I found it in 9th grade and still has as I've aged. I've always felt the complexity and thoughtfulness of the music helps accentuate the anxious mind as we work through issues and feelings like these concepts in real life.
Ha doing well so far have already heard 3 of 5 of these albums. Arcade Fire is great! Love this album. Suburbs is my fav but this is one of my next favs by them.
I mean it’s no Funeral. It’s still pretty good though. 3.5
Boring, weak vocals so drained our by the music.
Ikke dårligt, jeg havde forventet noget lidt mere rocket fra dem.
Hørte den halvanden gang. Den kunne nok godt have været lyttet mere. Der er et par sange som jeg havde lyst til at skippe, fordi de trak tempoet ud. (Titel sangen, og åbneren.) Men ellers et virkelig behageligt lyt men nogen kæmpe numre på.
Grandiøst lydende indie rock
Will Butler Tony’s weekend lessgoo
Det finns något. Behöver fler lyssningar men vi börjar med en trea.
Solid album. Standouts for me: Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues), Windowsill, No Cars Go. Antichrist was by far my favorite track after the first listen.