Reviews (page 9 of 14)
Previously rated: The Suburbs (3/5) Funeral (2/5) ********************* The users of this site seem to love them some Arcade Fire. More power to them. I don't get much out of it. The only track I really remember is (Antichrist Television Blues), only because I thought it sounded like Bruce Springsteen song. The album is over-produced for my taste.
A bit Bruce Springsteen
very good!
no ion wanna listen to arcade fire one of their better albums. was not expecting to enjoy this.
Not a huge fan of indie rock in general, so Neon Bible didn’t totally land for me. A lot of the songs just blended together and felt like the kind of generic indie rock that never really grabs me. That said, there were a couple of standouts. “Intervention” was a solid ballad — emotional, well-written, and probably the most memorable track for me. But “Ocean of Noise” was the one I actually really enjoyed. Great vibe, moody in the right way, and definitely a cut above the rest.
Saved Prior: Keep the Car Running, No Cars Go Off Rip: Black Mirror, Black Wave / Vibrations, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), My Body Is a Cage Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Lots of simmering emotion, but we never get the big moments of catharsis that I love in Funeral (My Body Is a Cage gets close but doesn't go for it completely). Still a 4.
7/10. Good album throughout. 3 songs made the playlist. Liked how the album flowed together.
Prefer this album over funeral. Top songs: Keep the car running - sounds like bruce springsteen Intervention My body is a cage Honorable mention- neon bible
Ok
beeeeem sem sal mas não é ruim não
ruim num é. mas sinto que falta algo nesse album aqui, sei lá. é sólido, mas poderia ser mais barulhento, num sei. ficou faltando um temperinho. no mais, no cars go é pedrada viu.
Pretty good, the title track was boring but overall a very engaging album. not something i see myself actively returning too often, funeral and the suburbs are just better
Jeez, so happy to see this pop up. This has been one of my favorites for years. Arcade Fire once meant a whole lot to me and Win really spoiled their magic in my eyes, but the music is still the music. Great stuff, shame about the dude.
You will never be Bruce Springsteen win butler you ugly demon
I tried here as well. I really did, honestly. You gotta understand the thought I was going into this album with: "I thought Arcade Fire only had one — sorry, **two** albums." Legitimately, before this popped up, I'd completely forgotten this band existed outside of THE SUBURBS and, like, FUNERAL, and even that second one took me a moment to recall. 'Coz they've really never meant much to my life other than "one of their albums was widely named Album Of The Year, and that's a random fact I have stored away." I'd know their name if I saw them, but I couldn't tell you what they sounded like, and I was never particularly compelled to find out. And, heck, even after this Randomizer actually had me listen to THE SUBURBS I still couldn't and wasn't. So, here we go with another one. Their second, actually; the one they released between FUNERAL and THE SUBURBS. And if there's a metaphor I wanna use to describe this album, it's based on one that was used for this album: the ocean. Generally, so says Win, it's used here to represent a "loss of control." And you might think I'd use the ocean as a metaphor for the album's expanse, depth and beauty. But, no, no. See, my mind's stuck on the opener, "Black Mirror", which describes an black ocean on a moonless night. And something about that evokes how I feel about this album where I'm trying, honestly, to focus on the water cresting, but it's so hard to and everything jus' kind of melts into each other. It just ain't the kind of water I enjoy lookin' at, y'know? Like, sure, when I do catch something, it's fine — and when the big, bright boat that is "No Cars Go" passes by, I'm all eyes — but for most of the time I'm spending with it, there's just other bodies of water I'd rather deal with. And maybe that metaphor makes sense or maybe it doesn't, I'unno. I found out during the course of the album that I was more tired than I thought I was, and that's no fault of the album, but it sure didn't help any. Even if I wasn't, though... Yeah, I still don't think I'd think much of it. I'll be generous and give it a 3, 'coz I really did like "No Cars Go" just that much, but otherwise... I still can't tell you what Arcade Fire sounds like and I'm still not particularly interested to find out.
2000's Indie was just a special time and place, and this is just one of the albums that proves it. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at an emphatic 5. I loved that. This is the second time we’ve gotten Arcade Fire – I thought The Suburbs was a good album, but for my tastes, it relied really heavily on the “vibes” of the instrumentation and a sort of nostalgic feeling that I don’t know is necessarily cultivated well throughout the course of that album. Going into this one, my biggest hope was for an album that managed to blend the dense lyricism of The Suburbs with a more engaging soundscape, and a more fruitful “narrative” hook that would balance my tastes a bit more. This absolutely nailed what I was looking for – I wasn’t necessarily prepared for a more somber and bitter tone, but this is exactly the type of album that clicks for me. Right from the rumbling tones of the intro in “Black Mirror”, all the way to the desperate plea that ends “My Body Is a Cage”, I just felt captivated and attentive throughout. Whether it was in the instrumental choices (lots of Springsteen influence here, but a bit of ELO-esque bombast as well), the emotion in the vocals (both happy and sad, sometimes painfully so), or the storytelling in the lyrics (big shout to “(Antichrist Television Blues”), I just don’t think this album has a dull moment. There’s always something to pay attention to, and I think it enrichens and rewards me as the listener for caring. I can’t fully explain the nitty-gritty of why this album’s lyricism clicked with me so well, but let’s just say that the way this album tackles religion, and the concept of “God-given justified self righteousness”, really aligns with my take on it. That’s not to say there’s no place for religion that gives someone such confidence, especially if they can turn it into a positive, but this album really deals with the fall from grace and the despair that follows from most people who have that mindset. My favorite moment in the album is the ending to “(Antichrist Television Blues)”, if only because that abrupt cutoff, and the subsequent hanging onto the pure silence gave me chills. That silence is God himself, responding for the first & only time on this album, with nothing but unspoken contempt, and that silence speaks volumes. It’s a brilliant production choice in an album full of them. So, yeah, I thought this was spectacular. Maybe it just hit closer to home, but I think even without that connection, there’s just a great rock soundscape here, and it really shines throughout the album. Some people might dismiss this as preachy, and that’s a bit fair – if it doesn’t click, it doesn’t click, and I can easily see how this could fall on deaf ears (or ears that simply hate indie rock). For my tastes, I loved it. One of the easiest 5’s I’ve given yet.
No my jam but the production and music is descent.
WE BACK!!!! Everything gets a 4 Album had that unique sound that could be expected of some wack-ass indie band no one's ever heard of to try and capture, except this album is actually really good Black Mirror was the best song, although the album never fell off significantly, and there was quite a wide range of different themes within the same style explored. Other notable songs include Keep the Car Running, Intervention (bro is NOT bruce), Black Wave/Bad Vibrations, and No Cars Go. Additionally, the album was only 45 minutes, so it gets bumped up from a 2 to a 5, unfortunately they have a song called "(Antichrist..." so I have to knock them down to 4. (Also there's a lot of 4's I've given out that should probably be 3's, but this one is actually a 4. 4 likes and I'll email the guy)
First song was the best. It doesn't amount to much for me but is better than a lot of the slop on this tracker. Let's go with 2.5.
Although Mr. Win hasn't had many wins in the past decade or so, the initial run of AF records can certainly be counted as a big W. I like to come back to this album every so often just to see how well it holds up when compared to a now, much more saturated "indie album landscape" and I gotta say, it's still among the best. Not many albums manage to have such simplistic arrangements that sound this big. I do think the album drags a bit throughout, but not in any one song in particular. But there are some tremendous tracks here that are required listening for anyone looking to understand more about indie rock.
This entry in the Book of Arcade Fire takes place between its two best chapters and falls short in comparison but remains an essential part of their story.
Good
One album you mustn't listen to. Absolute crap.
Seems a bit of an odd choice to me. I think suburbs and funeral are both better albums for sure and not sure if arcade fire warrants three albums really assuming those others are on here. "No cars go" is very good and it's not a bad album, but definitely lacks some of the juice some of their other stuff has
this shi fun af
Album divertido, algunas canciones muy buenas, producción interesante, muy bueno que haya sido literalmente grabado en una iglesia. Total album: 80
I thought this album was going to be an easy 5 as I loved it when it was released but it's not as good as I remember it being to be honest. Perhaps that comes from over-listening, but when Spotify played Laika when the album finished, I enjoyed that a lot more. It's still a good album, with several stand out tracks, but it just didn't hit the spot.
I've never decided if I like them or not. I don't think I do.
I never heard of the group but glad I was introduced. The vocalist reminds me of Bruce Springsteen. I especially liked Intervention.
Slow and good vibes.
Angsty, middle-class, suburban, operatic, indie music. I like Arcade Fire
Sounds like Imagine Dragons if they were a Christian Rock band
Если грустно, то пойдёт
their best album by far. yes better than funeral. this is what i wish that album was, tbh
We're in disagreement over our top three Arcade Fire albums. This is actually my favourite, whereas Dork rates this at number 3. Either way, it's worthy of 5-stars. My Body is a Cage is an excellent song, as is No Cars Go. The Well and the Lighthouse is also up there. Best listened to with headphones in and eyes shut - there's a real atmosphere created by this one.
Utterly marvelous. I really enjoyed this a lot. I like Arcade Fire a lot, but have never really spent serious quality time with them.
4.5. Exceptional. Take that Sam
Music made by the type of people that appear to have written their own Spotify bio.
Really strong, lots going on. So many big hitters
I'm a little surprised Arcade Fire has 3 albums on the list. This one is not as good as Funeral but definitely better than subburbs. I like ~5 of the songs.
Great album, and one that figured prominently in an important time in my life, made slightly less great by later revelations of the lead singers problematic behavior.
Do you remember being 18? Idealistic and still impressionable, even if you'd like to think you're not. You go to shows all the time because music means everything to you. And at one show, where you see one of your favorite bands, an amazing, earnest cadre of musicians who blow you away with their talent & insight, you happen to get a few great photos because you're so close to the stage. You tag the musicians and are blown away when one of them actually DMs you. But it quickly goes very very wrong. His messages are flirtatious, provocative. Even though he's married. Even though he's nearly 20 years older than you. You try to figure out how to tell him to stop, but he doesn't. & it just gets worse. I guess the album is okay. But the earnest, self-tortured stylings come across as a just a *bit* false when you know how fucking gross Win Butler is.
This album is interchangeable with Funeral. Some really good songs here, but after a while, I just get quite bored with their sound. Because this album is so indistinguishable from that first one, I wonder why they chose this one and not Funeral? As that has the qualification of being first. 2.5
I'm more familiar with some of Arcade Fire's other albums (e.g. Reflektor and Funeral) but hadn't listened to this one front to back. Loved it, especially the parts with the organ.
own
I don’t get the appeal of this album. Not at all. It is not at all interesting. Nothing makes it stand out to me.
Great album
I really like this, but it seems like an album that needs tons of listens to hang on. I liked the last album we listened to more, so going 3. But, is this a 1001 must?IDK.
"Arcade Fire - I liked their album that came up earlier. I wonder why I'm finding this one kinda boring and annoying...". {checks review of Funeral} "Oh. Never mind".
This was another band that passed me by in the early 2000s for some reason. Initial impressions were that this was by the numbers indie rock with a heavy Coldplay influence, but as it went on it grew more irritating. They threw what sounded like a choir of children into the mix but it was the singer’s voice that had a wheedling ‘please feel some emotions’ vibe to it. Anyhoo, turns out he’s a massive online sex pest, so this album can get in the bin.
Their sound is recognizable, and although I liked Funeral, I'm a bit frustrated with this one. Their music seems to have lost part of its candor, while not really renewing itself.
The more I listen to this band. The more I like them. That said this doesn't even come close to their album the suburbs
Probably deserves another listen, I was a bit distracted while this was playing.
I don't know. They keep giving me Arcade Fire albums, and I keep finding them competent, but not spectacular. Maybe it's me, maybe it's Arcade Fire, but I must ask as I enter the endgame with this list, to respect my wishes and not make me review any more Arcade Fire albums at this time 3/5
Did you date any pretentious, sad, morally superior, slightly-misogynistic-but-in-an-ironic-way-so-it’s-fine, “sprezzatura”, Morrissey-listeners in the early 2010s? If you didn’t but you inexplicably wish you had, then this is what it felt like. Awarding an additional star purely because I’m a sucker for a clever neon sign.
A notch under debut *Funeral*, *Neon Bible* is, like the latter and follow-up LP *The Suburbs*, a pivotal chapter from Arcade Fire's golden age. I wonder if I have not unfairly given only four stars to *The Suburbs* on this app, by the way, as the latter only struck me with its brillance very recently, just as I revisited it -- if that's the case I can't give more than four stars to *Neon Bible*, even if I love it as well. Truth br told, that sophomore album is *very* close to a 4.5 stars in my book. Which basically means it's close to be rounded up to 5. All ratings shenanigans aside, *Neon Bible* offers a very cohesive yet also slightly disturbing vision of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne's one-of-a-kind indie melodic universe, filled with all sorts of troubled, neurotic, *Confederacy Of Dunces*-like characters trying to adapt to a post-9/11 world, here all gathered in a metaphorical church of sorts for freaks and misfits of all kinds (good thing that the LP was recorded in an actual church -- the echoey sound fits with the songs' moods and thematic imprints so well). This record is very *postmodern*, in a way, which is why its apparent "grandiosity" must be taken with a huge grain of salt, as songs such as "(Antichrist Television Blues)" proves -- and that aspect of the album is still a little misunderstood to this day imho. Another peculiar thing about it is that it picks up steam in its middle, when the formidable "The Well And The Lighthouse" surges. And the album ends on two essential Arcade Fire songs. First there's the epic and mock-utopian "No Cars Go", which is actually a new, more pristine version of a song already recorded for AF's first EP (both versions are great and have assets their counterparts don't have). And then there's the short but extraordinarily soulful "My Body Is A Cage", concluding the proceedings on an absolute bang. If only for that last leg, this album must be in the list. 4/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 9/10 for more general purposes (5 + 4) Number of albums left to review: 8 (plus the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past versions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions) Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 427 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 254 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 314
Helt OK. Inte så catchy och väldigt indy
Dans la tradition du groupe, dense, polyphonique. Ici l'orgue illustre bien les thèmes d'aliénation exploités
I’d probably enjoy it if I listened to it more than once. But one listen didn’t reveal anything special
it's fine, general purpose hipster rock i suppose. wouldn't listen to again. 1.5
Fairly convinced I'm not going to like this. Sounds like a bunch of hipster church kids formed a band. Someone take that bell away from the kid.
I reckon bands like Arcade Fire attract an audience who remain loyal. People like me who never really listened to the band and come to the record a while later often miss that audience's experiences. So I played this pretty much unfamiliar with the band and found it a bit dull and average.
Rating: 8/10
Just about a year since I got The Suburbs on here, this is their second album, which came between Funeral and The Suburbs. While I knew The Suburbs well before this, I hadn't listened to this one at all before. Overall I really enjoyed this a lot. It has a really big sound throughout. They added their violinist on this album, and there are a whole bunch of other orchestra musicians that are involved in this, which gives it this very grand and orchestral sound. Even more minimal songs (like "Neon Bible") feel big, and then there's things like "Intervention" where there's a whole church organ thing going on. I don't have any major complaints about this album overall and I added almost every song to my playlist. It's really consistently enjoyable, but still something feels just a little lacking compared to The Suburbs. I'm perfectly willing to admit that it might just be my familiarity with The Suburbs and this one might grow on me more with time, but I don't think it's quite as strong right now. I do think I might be overly harsh though, as this is music that is 100% right up my alley, so I'm putting it in the context of all the music that I love (much of which isn't on this list). "My Body Is a Cage" is a cold final song though, I'm a big fan. "(Antichrist Television Blues)" is also a highlight on the back half. Anyway, I'm rambling, this is a really solid album by a band that I like a lot. Would recommend. Favorite song: My Body Is a Cage Other: Black Mirror, Keep the Car Running, Neon Bible, Intervention, Ocean of Noise, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), Windowsill, No Cars Go 11/8/24
Thought I liked arcade fire... Did not like this album.
Ho hum. Nothing spectacular. Nothing bad. Just an 88 mph fastball down the middle.
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.