Reviews (page 9 of 12)
Sounds soft and muddy. I can't tell if it's youtube or some issue with my laptop, but it's so quiet. I think I like this better than their next album, but I wasn't particularly moved. It has all the ingredients of something I would be into, but I'm just not. There's nothing I actively dislike, but nothing I really enjoy. 3.2 (I read my review of their next album and I must have liked it. I don't remember that.)
Prettty good
Second Arcade Fire album in three days. The last one was Funeral. I described my love/hate relationship with Arcade Fire then. I bought this album cheap at a charity shop recently so have listened to it a few times. It is a grower and more enjoyable than Funeral. The track Intervention is brilliant and the stand out track for me. One or two other good tracks but one or two duff ones too. Glad to have the album in my collection as Arcade Fire are a big band and I feel should have them in my collection but there are plenty of other contemporary bands which I like a lot more. 3/5 15/5/24
Never liked the indie guitar sound. There's something too tinny and shoegaze about it all. Regardless, there's some good songs on here and over the runtime it slowly opens up as I acclimatise to it. Some oomph and this could have been great.
They don’t vary much, in my view. Not bad, not amazing. How does one pick their best album?
Not outstanding in any regard, which in a way is kind of impressive.
This was really good. More than the singles good.
Good album sounds similar to the killers
Not as good as Suburbs. This kind of indie suffers from wooden melodies and self-important, bomastic climaxes. +1 extra star for No Cars Go.
Estaba bien, tiene sentido xq my body es a cage es el single y la canción más interesante
favs: no cars go, black mirror likes: keep the car running, ocean of noise, the well and the lighthouse
I bought tickets to one of their concerts in the first 20 rows around 2010’ish . I don’t go to many concerts and I usually don’t spend much if I do, but I really enjoyed their music, so I splurged. About two weeks out I get an email that the band is strongly encouraging everyone attending dress up like them. Which I guess is a mix of an old school carny and the sale rack at hot topic. My wife and I decided to try to sell the tickets because we weren’t into cosplay and just wanted to watch a good show. Well, we couldn’t sell the tickets and we couldn’t give them away so we didn’t go and we were out the couple hundred bucks for the tickets. Not sure if that makes us the douche bags for not playing along or the band wanting their fans to dress up like them. Anyways, this one’s called wonderwall.
Bit dull
never knowingly listened to Arcade Fire before, though of course I've heard of the band. was surprised to learn Keep The Car Running was on this album, I remember liking this song when I was a teenager not knowing who sings it. good, classic 2000s indie
I've already listened to Funeral and The Suburbs (both by Arcade Fire) on this list, and gave them both a 3 for similar reasons. I enjoyed this album slightly more than those two, though it could be because I was listening to it with higher quality headphones. But even so... eh. The songs aren't very catchy, which is really the band's only obvious downfall – but it's a big downfall. Otherwise, I can think of some definite pros: The tracks sound really well produced, layered with slow, contemplative synths and percussion. With good noise-cancelling headphones, I could appreciate this production more. The opening track, Black Mirror, was actually pretty fire. If every song had been that much of a moody, mildly catchy adventure, the album could've scored 4 stars or even higher. The song Black Wave / Bad Vibrations, on the other hand, was Black Mirror's brutal antithesis: it was just uninteresting. The remaining tracks fell somewhere in between these in terms of quality, and while I liked all of them, I didn't love any of them. The dramatic touch in this album, seen with is a fun addition that I didn't really notice in Funeral or The Suburbs. Especially liked the organs in Intervention. Close, so close, to 4 stars. I believe in you, Arcade Fire! Just don't be so pretentious and use those musical chops to make something worth bopping to! Key tracks: Black Mirror, Keep the Car Running, Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues)
Doesn’t hit like Funeral. It’s fine.
Het klinkt een beetje Britpoppig, het kabbelt voorbij, ik was eerlijk gezegd vergeten dat ik het had opgezet. Het doet denken aan een boel andere dingen, maar het mist elke vorm van wauw-factor.
Het geluid van het eerste nummer is heel opvallend. De tekst is niet heel ingewikkeld, maar soms nauwelijks te verstaan. Het wordt overdonderd door de geluidseffecten. En als je dan niet heel duidelijk articuleert... En iets later is het geluid ineens heel blikkerig. Dus hop, internet op, want wat is hier aan de hand. Het is in de kerk opgenomen. Ah. Verklaart ook het orgel later. De rest van het album heeft ook wel een geluidsboost, maar zo gek als bij het eerste nummer wordt het gelukkig niet meer. Buiten dat effect zijn de nummers op zich prima, maar wekken ze zelden mijn interesse. Kwestie van smaak. Ach, drie sterren is het wel waard.
I can't muster the same kind of enthusiasm as the other lads for this one. Nice enough in the background. Sounds a bit like an orchestral Coldplay with different singing.
To my own surprise, I don’t hate it, but it definitely doesn’t feel essential in any way. It feels less put-on than The Suburbs, that’s for sure, but it still believes it’s deeper than it actually is. But the melodies are also very catchy, and while the compositions are a bit overwrought with twee orchestration, it never reaches the tipping point where it becomes annoying. I do think a lot of these songs overstay their welcome, though. I also don’t love Butler’s voice, its tone gets under my skin, and I personally would’ve loved to have more of Chassagne’s vocals doing these songs instead. I think this album actually helps me understand my disinterest in Arcade Fire. Musically, while it’s not my personal typical cup of tea, I think it’s very good and interesting, although it’s always at risk of crossing the line and becoming “too much.” At the same time, lyrically, it feels pretentious and try-hard, straight out of a bad poetry workshop. They are the definition of “one step forward, two steps back” for me. On top of that, while I know they were big at the time, I’m not convinced that they actually had any influence; almost two decades later, I don’t hear this sound or aesthetic coming from anyone who wasn’t originally from this scene. And that makes it feel unessential. More importantly, the pros and cons of listening to this albun even out in my ears, and I’m still not putting on Arcade Fire any time soon on my own volition. But at least Neon Bible is a tolerable listen, so there’s that.
all the last few albums have been male manipulator dad rock. i need something new. this album was new though! arcade fire if they listened to too much bruce springsteen.
sad christian rock
I was a fan of this first time around, had the CD and saw Arcade Fire in Paris circa 2011. I hadn't listened to the full album for maybe a decade so was excited to come back to it. Keep the car running is an absolute masterpiece, but the rest of it didn't stand out much. I used to think this was so deep and articulate, but now it struck me as "im15andthisisdeep". I'm off to listen to Funeral which I have more hope for.
Great background: nothing memorable, nothing disturbed
Boring ahh radiohead LCD soundsystem without oomph punk.. Rebellion.. No rebellion..
I enjoyed some of the songs but nothing really stood out. A good indie band for sure.
This was an OK album. I had no real draw to it. Over all well produced but not super interested. 3/5
It's decent. I know I would probably like it better if I spent some more time analyzing the lyrics but lets be real that's to much like homework for me right now.
Album was okay, not really memorable
I thought this was okay. Some catchy songs. Even though the songs were all different, they all kind of sounded the same and nothing really stood out. I wouldn't say this is an album you have to listen to before you die. It's more the kind of album you should listen to if: You just left home for university for the first time and you want to find something that's different to your Dad's Cd collection or the Pop hits of the day. Now you can put this album on in your dorm room and people won't laugh at your quaint childish music taste. Your other fresh faced Uni friends will all think this is cool and alternative. Some day, you may feel like you want something more, something deeper, more challenging something that makes you grow as your synapses have to to rewire a little. Good luck to you, it's the start of a wild journey. Best for people who have mustaches but can't quite grow them properly yet. It's like a reverse combover. We each cling to our hair identity in different ways. I'm not judging.
Excited for this one! One of those bands I’ve always wanted to give a listen but never have for whatever reason. I know they’re seminal in the indie genre and really want to see what I’m missing. Oh. This sure sounds like…a foundational indie album from 2007…but without any real oomph. And some really bad cliches. I’m struck by how much the mirror mirror lyric feels. Bad. It reminds me of Muse. Which is bad. Are these guys Quebecois? Yes, okay the lyrics MIGHT be more forgivable. But just, flavor, and there never seems to be much of a payoff in these songs. The biggest issue is comparing this to what came before and what came after from other acts in the genre this is just so soulless, nothing is BAD, but nothing stands out either. So many songs on this album end triumphantly, but come up feeling flaccid. I’m probably gonna lay most of the blame on the singer whose voice lacks the power to match the strings surrounding him. And generally the lyrics are just, bland nothing, I love the mainstream reviews that say this is a statement on the Bush era, and it sure is, it says and accomplishes nothing like so many passionless and meaningless protests that ruled the era. Its a 2.5 really
This was good, not great. Nothing too memorable, but never unhappy it was on.
I like the last song
Ok
Better than the first one. There were some exciting songs here!
Never a fan and still am not, but I do think they create a fairly creative body of work here.
boring. felt like i was exploding. not my kind of thing at all but happy i gave it a shot. it wasn’t technically bad in any sense so it gets three stars just because i feel certain there will be worse that needs the two stars spot but i want it noted that i was becoming quite sick of it towards the end
Don't really have much to say about this one
Solid Arcade Fire with a few standouts
Okay
3.3. It sounds like it was recorded at the bottom of a swimming pool and then played over the pa at an elementary school gym.
In my opinion, the first two Arcade Fire albums aren’t nearly as good their third or fourth. But still, not a bad song amongst them. I might even prefer “Neon Bible” to a degree over “Funeral” simply because I haven’t quite heard these songs 1 million times yet. If I’m being honest, for whatever reason, I’ve grown tired of Arcade Fire’s sound over the years, especially when it comes to these first two albums. Maybe I’ll come back around some day. These days, I’m just not that interested in the mid-aughts thing that saw indie folk-rock ensembles balloon up to the size of orchestras donning funny hats and making radio-friendly sounds for Pitchfork, car commercials and Coachella. Not that it’s bad at all. It’s actually good. Just kind of one-note and polished where they could be more passionate. That said I’ve gone through my share of phases with Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, et al., and could go through one again, that’s just where I’m at in 2024.
This is the Arcade Fire album I never got around to listening to in high school. If I had, I probably would have resonated very strongly with its bleak desperation, its biting criticism, its gothic and melodramatic affect. And just now I'd be penning an interview full of nostalgia for being 17. But now it's been 15 years, and it just feels a little too on the nose for me! But I can't deny how bold and bright they're going for. They're kind of a force. Might not be your cup of tea, but you have to sit up and pay attention, because they're going for broke. I just don't resonate as much with the tone. Really cool record though. A conflicted 3/5
If the Cure and Transiberian Orchestra had a band fronted by David Bowie, this would be it.
Decent! Sounds like Kings of Leon
Not listened to Arcade Fire before. Pretty good. Different.
First listen in 15 years. Confirms that it's not a bad album, but my least favourite by Arcade Fire.
There are some great tracks. Ocean of Noise is a classic. But there are also some duffers and some of it is a bit overwrought for me. Not my favourite album from this band.
Could be a grower
It's ok, some great moments, others a bit much. 2.5/5
Has some tenets of music I tend to enjoy, but Arcade Fire seem to lean into the arena pop/alt-rock just that little too much. I end up cringing more than I feel catharsis. No Cars Go is close to Of Monsters and Men levels. There's enough to admire in the musicianship, but it's all a bit overblown. Fave track: Intervention
I had been putting off listening to this record as I thought I’d hate it, but honestly didn’t find too much to dislike. It’s nothing unexpected from the group, but still solid songwriting. Maybe not entirely my favourite style of indie rock that I gravitate towards most, but I kinda liked this album. Three stars. Fave track: No Cars Go
A little slow and ponderous for me.
Really creative stuff here.
Good
More my style. Solid alt/indy rock band
I liked Funeral a lot when it came out, but I was hesitant with Neon Bible. The Arcade Fire had settled on a sweeping, big sound and narrative drive that reminded me so much of musical theatre. And that's not a bad thing, per se. But hearing another album come out from that same group amounts to a feeling like a musical sequel. You know how many good musical sequels there are? I doubt any of you'd ever give "Love Never Dies" a chance. My point is I'd already played out Arcade Fire when this came, and unlike a more reasonable-sized group they couldn't really change their tricks around from one album to the next. The songs keep crescendoing, the autobiographical family-dying stuff starts to veer towards Eminem's mom territory. Interestingly, I had friends who first heard about them with this album, and the consensus seemed to be that this one is better than Funeral. They might be right, actually, but how the hell would I know?
Guess you had to be there for this one.
Not as good as the suburbs
eh
I can't think of anything to say about the mass of average albums on this list.
It was interesting to hear, but not an album I would listen to again.
Decent album. Not a bore but also didn’t grip me. Somewhat standard indie rock for the time with sometimes interesting instruments, lyrics, and themes. Has some nice moments like the end of No Cars Go. Good enough of a listen, but also not a standout to me.
Solid album from start to finish. Every song was pretty unique and there wasn't anything I really wanted to skip. There's even some church organs on a couple songs which is wild. 6.75/10 (3.375/5)
Opzich priems, niet bijzonder
Didn't hate it
Kind of a bland album for me. Seemed very repetitive sound to me. I've listened to Arcade Fire song but never go into them and hadn't listened to full albums. I definitely liked the first couple songs and last couple songs the best. Overall a soft 3 stars to me.
Love Arcade Fire's use of choir singing and beat switching in their songs. It gives it a uniquely triumphant sound to their songs. No Cars Go was a standout. Overall not the best Arcade Fire album, and I'm not really sure why we have gotten 3 AF albums so far. Cool album cover though. This one ultimately fell into the background for me. Nothing exceptional, but good indie/alternative tracks.
This album is okay. Some songs have incredible explosions of energy, other songs just kind of pass me by.
Arcade Fire has a Springsteen vibe that is very listenable. It’s not stand-out, but solid background music.
Okay
Singles: -------------------------------------------- Black Mirror Keep the Car Running (UK #56) Intervention No Cars Go (UK #85) 5/5: No Cars Go, Keep the Car Running. 4/5: Black Mirror, Intervention, Neon Bible, Ocean of Noise, Windowsill. Rating: 3.5 / 5
This band was overhyped from day 1 and while they delivered the full goods on first record and offered a decent payoff on the third, quality dropped off quite a bit by this time. No wonder editors dropped them from later editions, as the hype faded, along with memories of their (allegedly legendary) live shows. It's sorta cool and certainly not bad, but there's more than a whiff of trying too hard, taking themselves too seriously.
I had to listen to this twice for this first time to see if I liked it. The second time I got more out of it than the first listen. Maybe a third listen will register more...
This band was brand new to me. Not bad, but it didn’t wow me by any means. The simple instrumental lines that were layered with heavy orchestration, along with the whining vocals, made them sound like a U2 wannabe. I could listen again, but I wouldn’t seek this album out
I hated the “whole band choir” thing when the Lumineers did it and I hate it now too. This has a few decent tracks but it’s not nearly as good as Funerals.
A good album for its time. Very similar to all the other bands doing the same sort of thing around that period though.
I think a pretty weak start for the album tbh. Track 2 is instantly better than track 1. Antichrist television blues was a really enjoyable song. Possibly my favourite on the album. Really picked up towards the end of this album and I really started enjoying it, but not a strong start for me.
Decent post 9-11 indie Rock. Somewhat dismal thematically like a lot of Arcade Fire's stuff is. Nice execution. Some really interesting orchestration and instrumentation to deepen the mood. No Cars Go is a great tune.
Musically it is pretty solid, however I have issues with the mixing. At times it is significantly too quiet and then the next song will nearly blow my speakers out before I can turn the volume back down. The mix also feels too busy on most of the songs, a lot of the instrumentation struggles to differentiate itself unless there is a specific solo moment. I don't think it is a terrible album, it just doesn't hold its own space in the way The Suburbs does.
Their pre-Suburbs album. It’s not bad, but not nearly as good as their follow-up.
Expected to like it better.
This is a solid album. I'm not sure how many Arcade Fire albums should be included on a list of essential listens though; I think you get the idea from their debut (which definitely deserve inclusion on the list) and their third album (which won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2011). With that in mind, is Neon Bible really adding that much to someone's experience? Personally, I like this album more than The Suburbs, so I would recommend it over that album, but for historical context, I think listening to the Album of the Year from 2011 is more edifying. Anyway, still a solid listen and a great album from one of the biggest bands of the 2000-2010s. I try to separate the art from the artist, so I haven't tried to reflect on the allegations of sexual misconduct by Win Butler. Based on the fact that Arcade Fire is still a festival headliner, I think most people haven't considered it either.
Neon Bible maintains the band's signature sound, it falls short of the power and passion found in Funeral, their debut release. The songs on Neon Bible feel more restrained and polished, resulting in an overall less impactful experience. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 3 STAND OUT TRACK - No Cars Go
Most average band on earth
Good, but not the best Arcade Fire I’ve heard.
It's good, but over-rated. I liked it better than Funeral. The suburbs is also on the list, but I haven't heard it yet. Favorite song: black wave.
Competent
Alt-rock with some good moments, but overall nothing special. 3/5
Mehh…
zooey deschanel type beat
Didn't think I liked arcade fire, but this was interesting. Will probably come back to it
Its okay, but not more
Hymnic hit, Rest so so.
Nice production, sometimes a bit repetitive and dull. Very cohesive. Lyrics turn boring towards half of the record but are not bad at all. Not a fan of the vocal delivery but still nice. Wouldn't listen to it again. Might only go back to my fav tracks. Fav tracks: Black Wave/Bad vibrations and My body is a cage. 6.5/10
Sundance 2009 coming of age trailer ass music. I used to be into Arcade Fire, but this album never sat right with me. Criticizing AF for being too grandiose is kind of like saying butter is too fatty, but at several points, this album is beyond what I can stomach. 2.8
First track is good, nice blend of ambient and traditional instrumentation. Very 80's feeling but not cheesy. Keep the Car Running is relatively forgettable. Neon Bible is fine. Intervention has a great blend of organ, the end is hymn like. This is followed up with Black Wave/Bad Vibrations with Regine Chassagne taking the lead vocals for the first half of the song and brings an interesting and different vibe to the tune. The background vocals in the second half I find more intriguing than the main movement. The Well and the Lighthouse seems like the most obvious choice for a single; it's catchy, upbeat, reminds me of a mix between Hey Rosetta and The Killers. Windowsill drags, not bad but not for me. No Cars Go has a great team vocals, the horns are melodic and memorable.
5.5/10 OK I guess, not one I am likely to come back to though Indie/alternative rock music turned into a stadium version by good production and arrangements They should dial down the Springsteen worship a bit Prefer the music to the vocals You don’t need to have 50% of the songs striving to be stadium anthems Best: Intervention
Very 80s inspired
Nicht so schlecht, aber nichts besonderes. Einzelne bessere Songs. 5.0/10
Not an album I'd actively listen to 2.5 stars
3/5 interesting but not enough
6/10 Wasn't for me Kinda felt like inspo for Imagine Dragons
Fine. Nothing stood out to me as particularly great on this album.
Kind of rock, really great evening music or background tunes for journaling. Liked it more than I thought I would.
Good stuff, but apparently this band is full of tools. 3.4.
Thoughts before listening: I was into Arcade Fire's first album and was excited when this one came out. It's okay, but didn't grab me like the first one. I remember only really loving a couple songs, and in general I prefer the Suburbs to this one (Funeral is still their best though). I'm interested to see if I appreciate this more now than I did at the time. Review: Definitely not my favorite but AF, but there are some really good songs on here. AF create a big sound with lots of different instruments and musicians that lend a certain grandiose quality to these songs. This is the sound of 00s indie rock as it ascended the charts and started headlining festivals. When the melodies match the epic musicianship it's very effective, but this album is uneven to me. There are some definite highlights in "Keep the Car Running", "Intervention", "(Antichrist Television Blues)", and "No Cars Go", but overall I still feel this pales in comparison to the albums released before and after. Too many mid tempo songs that just don't click with me even though I do really like the songs above.
Best song-Black Wave/Bad vibrations
Black Mirror itself is a pretty neat track.
Interesting Sound, B Side was good up until No Cars Go where the songs started to get repetitive and same sounding. Solid album tho, 3.5.
nice 00s rocky pop
Nice album that is a bit moody. A lot of the songs sound the same. Good effort. 3
3.5, Intervention gori
ok
It’s a paradox: a solid album that I don’t feel like listening to. Three or four songs in, and I feel like I’m sensing a formula, and not entirely sure the disc isn’t stuck on repeat.
Slower than I thought/remembered. A bit more broody, maybe it was the time?
This album sounded too much like their other albums. Some songs stood out more than others.
I enjoyed the bits with the church organ, even more and it would have been amazing.
It was good, 3 stars
Love the band but this is not their best album in my opinion. Still some great tracks included. Expected Marc rating: 3
Если честно -- слушается тяжело. Вайб прогрока, хотя, конечно, это не он. Но последние два трека дают почувствовать, что эти ребята что-то нащупали в звуке. Там реально офигенный баланс всего. Эдакие Imagine Dragons на минималке В целом 2, но за хиты поставлю 3
Album 255 of 1001 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Rating : 3 / 5 I expected more.
My body is a cage
Mola. Ha estado cerca de ser un 4 pero al acabarlo me acordaba más de la canción random que me ha puesto Spotify al acabar el disco que de algo del disco, y eso no parece bueno.
Nice, but pretty generic.
It's true that if you listen to enough Arcade Fire, their songs do tend to sound fairly similar, but this album did some novel things with instruments and production (the opening pipe organ on "Intervention" not the least of them). It did take my attention for a time, and I still enjoy some tracks on it, but I feel I grew out of it at some point and find it a bit dramatic for my current outlook on life. But that buildup, crescendo, and emotion put into the arcs of their songs can be infectious at times.
Quite a nostalgic record for me, reminds me of high school. I love the lush production and orchestral nature of it. There some great lyricism too. A great album but nothing too exceptional.
Sadly nowhere near on the level on the albums that surrounded this release. No Cars Go is probably the only track worth banging on repeat. The rest just sounds like the weaker points of Funeral/Suburbs. Not necessarily bad, but not great. 3.5*
Plays a little thin, if pleasingly. There are compelling moments, but they don't last. And it really asks to be taken more seriously than it merits.
This didn't catch my attention, but it sounded like Springsteen when it did.
Flaccid rock.
Meh
It's mid
Quite liked this even though it didn't leave a huge impression on me.
not their best not their worst.. and win has kinda ranked this band for me….
Well... Funeral was great, The Suburbs was naff, this was the album between the two, and Win Butler sounds like a nasty piece of work, so I'm heading in trepidatiously. It was alright. Clearly the career is a downward curve but it had a few great songs. All a bit long winded though.
Fav song: black wave/bad vibrations
i thought i was an arcade fire fan but i checked and realised i only know two songs. i really tried to like this album but i just kept zoning out and forgetting what i'd just listened to. i did like quite a few of the songs but it's been a day since listening and i don't remember how they go or how they were distinguishable from each other. i think it was just very okay.
Good album, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it sounds like Bruce Springsteen if he didn't fuck
I’m thinking 3.5 starts for this one. Some solid songs in the album, some forgettable ones. No bad songs though.
I like Arcade Fire, taking Win's disgusting behaviour out of the equation, however this is not their best. I would say Funeral is a classic = 5*, Suburbs = 4*, this is probably another tier down so I'll give it 3.
Efficient, but it's stuck on the chords they can play and notes they can reach. So when it needs to go up a gear, it just gets louder and longer.
Nice
ok but not my thing
Like (virtually) all Arcade Fire releases, this one was very grandiose and emotional. Full disclosure: I am gen z, a zoomer, if you will. I assume millennials can connect better with this record just because of the generational differences. I still enjoyed this. It started off slow and got better towards the end.
3.5/5 The run from "Intervention" to "The Well and the Lighthouse" is great and worthy of a revisit. Some parts are too folksy for my taste (especially the track "No Cars Go" - although it still sounds pretty good).
Bien mais pas aussi bien qu'eltrapeze semble insinuer.
Good album, a little boring. Good mood, very cohesive start to finish.
Svag 3:a. Vissa låtar är rätt sköna, men ingen jättebra. Ingen är jättedålig.
Stabilt, men lite för enahanda och inte så många låtar som riktigt lyfter. Intervention bäst.
This is a good record, and others in my listening group really did love love it. I did really dig Keep The Car Running and (Antichrist Television Blues) but ultimately this doesn't quite make it up to a 4 for me. Good but not great.
So, this band was pretty hype in alternative rock cycles for a time. I might even have seen them live back in the day (my memory can be a bit hazy) After giving this a fair chance I have to admit this just isn't my cup of tea. Musicianship, songwriting etc are all above par but..it just doesn't do anything for me. Three stars because it's good, but just..not for me. - I was a bit premature though the rating doesn't change. I actually like the later part of the album a lot more, added two songs to my playlists :)
Was good. Most of the music I liked would have paired well with a scene from a movie/tv show, I think. Not sure I'll listen to any more of their music but it was good.
Some were good and some were meh. Maybe i need a second go
Heilt ok
It's ok. I've heard them a few times.
Nothing about this music is objectively bad, but it's not for me. The last two songs were more enjoyable than the rest.
It was okay. Indie can be a hit or a miss for me.
I periodically ask my brother - who, unlike me, is a music aficionado - for band recommendations. He suggested Arcade Fire several years ago and I've listened to them ever since, though not this particular album. I like that it captures a delightful sense of jaunty despair. The melodies and the drumbeat are catching and you find yourself bopping along while they sing something bleak like "Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home" (Intervention) or "There's a fear I keep so deep / Knew its name before I could speak" (Keep the Car Running). I really appreciate that the the song Black Wave / Bad Vibrations ebbs and crescendos - it sounds like a wave is crashing around your ears. The fact that it is followed by Ocean of Noise is brilliant, because, despite its name, it really feels more like water lapping at your feet, with an occasional rogue wave getting at your ankles. For all that I like this album, however, I'm not sure I'll pick out songs to listen to individually as they really want to live in context with each other. In addition to BW / BV and OofN, (Antichrist Television Blues) and Windowsill also pair together in a continuum of political discourse. Better together. Favorite songs: Keep the Car Running, No Cars Go
I revisited this album just to confirm my recollection: it’s a solid album but it’s inferior to Arcade Fire’s true masterpiece, Funeral. I wonder if I’d like this more on its own merits had they not released Funeral before. I might be unfair here but there’s nothing I can do: I have a very strong emotional memory arranged to their first album, so their sophomore effort was bound to disappoint me.
There was a time when I loved Arcade Fire. For some reason their music kind of irritates me these days. That’s harsh, irritates isn’t quite the right word … but where it once felt big, and soul filling … it now feels a bit faux and empty. And this isn’t Funeral. Which was always going to be hard.
Mid 2000’s indie rock…. Pretty solid, good clean/clear sound. Nothing really grabbed me, but all of it was good. I should probably listen some more. Which I could give it 3.5, leaning more 3 than 4
It's decent, but nowhere near as interesting as their other albums we've had on the list
This was a Meh for me. Did not inspire me either way. I doubt I would seek it out for another listen. Some tunes were good, but vocals had a generic sound to me?
I liked the second half—Ocean of Noise, No Cars Go, and My Body is a Cage were all strong. But the first half came off as nondescript indie music with quintessential hipster voice vocals. If I had listened to this album back when it came out, I might have found that style nostalgic, but it mostly felt played out now. 5/10 Favorite Track: My Body is a Cage.
I liked it! Thought it would be too middle of the road and a bit boring, but it was good, especially the later tracks on the album :)
This sleepy, little indie album left much to be desired. While the music was unique and there was an interesting array of instrumentation and vocals, overall it was fairly drab. Not memorable at all.
Solid Arcade Fire album with some highs and some lows. Overall just fine.
Meh.
Fav songs: neon bible, windowsill Not sure I’d listen to the entirety again as it’s not my fav music but I can see why its on this list
No cars go - ilus ja esilekerkiv lugu. Üldiselt selline hea tuju muusika, palju energiat
It's ok
Loved the start and the end, but the middle dragged a bit
This album was good to listen to while working on other projects. I’m not sure if I would specifically look for this album to play, but if it’s songs came on a radio station, I wouldn’t mind.
A solid indie album. Definitely nothing compared to some other arcade fire albums but I felt this one was still good and enjoyable. A bit less experimental or exciting as the other two I’ve listened to but for this list it’s better than average. 6.4/10
Het is best goed, maar ik mis een stukje plezier ofzo. Dit is geen band die gewoon lekker muziek aan het maken is. Het is oersaaie, te gelikte Netflix indierock. Een beetje dat Dotan-achtige. Regelmatig geen echte drumbeats, want een hint van een grote trom en een zweem van snare is al genoeg. Meanderende fluisternummers afgewisseld met bombastische aftitelingmuziek. Van die verheven snobrock die je goed zou moeten vinden omdat het weemoedig en dus diepzinnig klinkt. De zanger z'n slaapkamer hangt vol met een paar posters van Bowie en nog meer posters van zichzelf. Geen Britse zeurstem, maar een Canadese, huilende imitatie van eerder genoemde David. Ik vraag me ook af wat de mensen die hier heen gaan antwoorden op de vraag: "En, was het een leuk concert?"
A generic indie pop album with standouts in Keep The Car Running, No Cars Go, and My Body Is A Cage.
Plain radio tunes that does nothing
Respect. A fave of Chris, Sam, and Maddie.
A good listen, but lacks the standout tracks of other Arcade Fire albums. Without the distinct tracks, it sort of blends into one for me.
'Keep The Car Running' & 'No Cars Go' are '00s indie at its finest. The rest is all just a bit too filler.
3.5
I like Arcade Fire but hadn't listen to this album before. This was not my favorite album of theirs but I do think that they are a bit of an acquired taste so when they hit, they hit hard.
A few hits, but starts to sound the same
Good album, but it's aged into something a bit meh.
Terug naar de indie rock. Misschien is het omdat ik de rest van de week echt matig vond, maar tot nu toe vind ik dit best wel goed te pruimen. Doet me tot nu toe heel erg denken aan LCD Soundsystem. Maar dan wel een iets mindere versie, maar dat heeft ook te maken met dat ik LCD Soundsystem echt best wel chill vind. Intervention vind ik heel vet! Wat een epische plaat is dat zeg. Daarna wel een dip. De rest van het album kan die high van Intervention niet halen hoor. De rest is gewoon prima te noemen. Oei, My Body is a Cage is ook al zo'n lekker orchestral plaatje. Loev het! FAVO: Keep the car running, Intervention, My body is a cage
Hmm, dit brengt me terug naar het Elbow album. Helaas vind ik dit album toch echt een tandje minder dan dat. Heel erg gedempt en klein. Dat kan op zich wel mooi zijn, maar ik vind het hier een beetje suf. Niet mijn favoriet, maar opzich een prima album Favorieten: Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues),
Kind a ok
This album is already in my spotify library, really enjoy a few of the tracks, although the rest of the album has a few donkeys in there. There are some pompus theatrical tracks in there, such as Intervention and My Body Is A Cage, with the dramatic church organ backing, but i guess it could have been a lot worse if they'd stuck a country track in there.... because that would have been sooooooo baddddddd. As a whole the album has got a few quite good tracks, which are strangely comparative to Killers at times for me. Best tracks for me, Keep The Car Running, and No Cars Go.
I like Funeral better! This one's always been pretty okay for me, but more of a subdued background sound.
I didn’t realize how similar Arcade Fire is to Bruce Springsteen, with some Talking Heads and The Clash thrown in— all artists I love. I should like this but I don’t care for the vocal tone of the singers.
Pretty good album - sounds like Arcade Fire. I like some of their songs but not much was jumping out at me here.
Likely good live but I would never choose to listen
good vibes, “my body is a cage” is schijfke, maar de rest ook goe
This is a tough one because I was a big fan of Arcade Fire, especially their early albums. But Win Butler unfortunately seems like a huge creep, specifically using his status with fans, which was all really terrible. On top of that it kind of showcased that his whole persona was fraudulent, especially with his wife in the band. His actions were so antithetical to the person he was selling himself as as the bandleader and songwriter, so it makes a lot of his music feel inauthentic. With all of that being said, I will try to rank this album based on how I feel about the music at this time. This album is just fine. I do find Win Butler to be a little self-satisfied with his songwriting. I remember feeling a little disappointed in this album after the incredible debut that was Funeral. This definitely feels like a darker sophomore album, with a few solid standouts. I know I'll have other AF albums come up in this list, and I'd say this is the least successful of their early albums that I was still mostly enjoying. Standout Tracks: Keep the Car Running, Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go
Good, bigger than life energy
I am of the opinion that Arcade Fire got too famous too fast. There is an almost indefinable air of self-satisfaction here that I can't shake. It's good, albeit probably the weakest of the first three Arcade Fire albums, but off-putting.
Keep the car running is a great song but the rest is a little meh
très dull comme album. oubliez que ca roulait. 5.5/10
Modern rock
There doesn't need to be three arcade fire albums in this list, this one only has two or three really great songs, plus the earlier EP version of No Cars Go is much better than this one. Man is that an understatement, just listening now, it's a real shame what they did to it, it's godawful, the version on this record, so irritating. Any Arcade Fire fans reading this who somehow haven't heard the EP version I urge you, go listen, it's still there on Spotify in the singles section. More raw, certainly, but all the more effective for it. I was sorely disappointed by this album at the time after the debut. I did however go see them on this tour. Several B side level songs, but what they do retain is the ability to build to a big finish in a song. I mean it's still good, obviously, just not anywhere near as good as their two really great albums. Was going to round up to 4, but that shiny and lobotomized version of No Cars Go forced me to stick to my guns and go with 3.
Don't really know what to make of this one. I actually forgot that I had heard 'The Suburbs' at an earlier stage of this journey and it was a few songs in that I had recognised the pattern. Unfortunately a bit front heavy and didn't really do much for me, again this really felt like an album I was going to like. Sorry guys
A little overwrought, and less certain of its purpose, but still, it's Arcade Fire. The songs are great, very well constructed, there is something to discover with every listen, but it does feel overcrowded. Thankfully, their sound would be stripped down largely for 2010's fantastic The Suburbs.
Yea not bad
Some great moments but a bit indulgent
Nice but forgettable
Their most OK album. Not anywhere close to "Funeral" and "The Suburbs" in my opinion. Arcade Fire is so good at making their songs sound nostalgic though. I don't know how they do it, but it's always really cool.
I could never really get into this band. I don't hate the music, it's just that most of it doesn't really sparkle for me. Some of their songs do. I quite liked Keep The Car Running and No Cars Go. But a lot of it just doesn't live up to the hype for me.
Ok Indy album
A very indie / semi electronic vibe rock album discovery
Always been intrigued by Arcade Fire when I stumble across them, but never owned any of their albums. Enough good stuff on here - love their unique sound. ‘No Cars Go’ stands out for me.
It was pretty good, but I prefer The Suburbs. 3
Not bad
Radiohead meets David Bowie meets The Cure meets U2 meets Bruce Springsteen meets Florence and the Machine with a quick hop over to Dead Can Dance for a smidge. None of it was horrible, only one stood out to me enough to save to my playlist: Keep the Car Running Noisy, chaotic, some passionate vocals, some meh. Sometimes my toe tapped, sometimes it didnt.
I enjoyed I very chill album
Caught between a rock (The Suburbs) and a hard place (Funeral) this album feels like one that doesn’t grasp its identity until it is almost over. Finally getting to it on tracks 10 and 11. Win Butler and his band don’t quite hit the levels they want to…but they get close.
This one was a real hard one to pinpoint. I tried listening to it multiple times during the duration of a few days, due to other commitments or general boredom with the album I had to stop. Arcade Fire is the band I feel I should've loved in my late teens but I never really heard of them until a few years later. There are hooks and parts of songs I really enjoy but the lyrics are inredibly, unforgivably pretentious (something teenage me would've loved). Today I find it somewhat cringey. So with my cringe-o-meter turned off I actually like some of it (after a few repeats) but as a whole i don't think I will be coming back to this album. Favourite song is probably "Intervention" which is catchy and builds up to a nice cresendo. Just don't focus too much on the lyrics.
Some bangers
45 minutes of "it's fine I guess" no cars go
3.5 Despite being one of the most acclaimed alternative rock acts of the 2000s, this is actually my first time giving Arcade Fire a listen. My first impression was that the album ran together a bit and overall sounded pretty generic for the time period, like it wanted to be a Coldplay release, but subsequent listens really helped flesh out its charm. While it does have a very consistent sound throughout, there’s a lot of interesting things going on in the songwriting I started noticing once I had the chance to properly dial in, with the hurdy-gurdy-featuring Keep the Car Running probably being my favorite tune here (a song later covered by Foo Fighters!) and (Antichrist Television Blues) a close second, with its vilification of parents who pimp their kids out for fame and fortune being something that really stood out to me. I wish the group stuck with the original name of the song (Joe Simpson), but I get why they didn’t - probably a bit too on the nose. Overall though, I mostly liked everything I heard (the organ-driven My Body is a Cage is an incredibly strong finale), though ironically, I think my least favorite track here was Neon Bible. It’s a great album name, so it’s a bummer the title track is so uninteresting. Not an album I fell head over heels in love with, but something I enjoyed and see myself re-visiting. I know Funeral is supposedly the group’s true masterpiece, so I look forward to its inclusion on this list (assuming it made it if this album did).
3,5
Album name is very fitting. Songs all come across very gospel-like, preachy, all with a message. Whatever that message is, I'm not quite sure. It's an interesting experience, and I don't regret giving it a listen through. No song was catchy or gripping enough for me to ever listen to one of these songs again, though.
Didn't pay a ton of attention, and suspect this isn't really my genre, but I liked the organ and general operatic vibes
In general I would call myself a fan of Arcade Fire, but I'm not really an enthusiast of their whole discography. Neon Bible is one of those albums, that is on the lower end of the sinusoid. The record was just average, not one track caught my attention, it sounded like a blend of Coldplay and Mumford and Sons, but only average songs were fused together. A bit of a disappointment, but it is what it is.
My ears hear pop rock. Maybe it's the day, maybe who cares.
I have listened to them before and never was excited. This was pretty good though.
These guys were massive indie favorites on release, though I'm not entirely sure the album holds up as much on listening today, perhaps the hindsight view of their frontman.
Never was a huge fan. Still not
Bit of a blur Tbh, needs another listen to judge it properly as I didn't really identify with any songs on first listen
Quite enjoyed, didn't blow me away but 👍
This was fine. It’s like a combo of U2 and the Bengals. At least, that’s what I heard. Never really got into this band. Probably still won’t. But I don’t hate it.
I love evangelism and capitalism and the unholy marriage between the two
If you are going to be pretentious, you have to be good. And these sad anthems aren't fitting that bill. Sure there are some good tracks here, and I flirted with Arcade Fire around the tie this record came out. But in the end, it's hollow and not much happening.
Not in my edition of the book! 2007. 3 stars. Came cold to this. Interesting, some good tunes in there. Points deducted for overly dramatic vocals and production which gets tiring reallll soon.
3.5
Not bad. A very big, orchestrated sound that feels original. Definitely has an “artsy” vibe.
Better than the other arcade fire album we heard recently but still not my taste. There was a bit broader of a sound palate here, and some songs that sounded clearly influenced by Bruce, but it’s still missing something that would make me want to come back and listen again.
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa.
That’s a lot of arena rock. Inoffensive, but it also didn’t grab me
Hipster anthems from the mid-aughts. It's a fine collection of songs. No more and no less.
tracks: black mirror [4] keep the car running [2.5] neon bible [3.5] intervention [4.5] black wave / bad vibrations [2] ocean of noise [2] the well and the lighthouse [3] (antichrist television blues) [3] windowsill [3] no cars go [3.5] ,my body is a cage [3] RATING : 3
Arcade Fire fans are sure dedicated to telling everyone how good they are. I more fall into telling everyone how good the solo stuff of their violin player is
These folks passed me by I'm the late 00s. Not bad but a bit generic Indie sounding. I think I've always mixed them up with Arctic Monkeys.
I enjoyed this, didn't blow me away. Had I heard when younger might have had more of an impact.
Churchy. On first listen, it felt more atmospheric and less anthemic than Funeral, but on second listen, there are a handful of bangers. I would listen again. 3 stars.
This album was fine. I didn’t think it was bad or good, just kinda not memorable. I wasn’t huge into this genre when I was younger and I don’t remember their songs.
I didn't really know anything about this band, other than having heard the name and the passing thought that they might be a rock band of some kind and might have played some sporting event. I've still no idea if they did that. I did read a little and saw the words "recorder", "accordion" and "hardy gurdy" and was quite hopeful. But it's all a bit, well, boring really. There are a couple of brighter moments, but the vocals are generally well hidden - which I don't like - and there's nothing particularly melodic that stands out and makes me want to dive into their back catalogue. It's not something I actively dislike, but I won't be searching this out to play again. That means it's a 3.
It was alright
Pretty good album. 2000s rock
Not the greatest. Fairly self inportant lyrics that lack variance/emotion in their delivery. Backing music is alright but nothing technically great or revolutionary.
3.5*
Not bad!
I was excited to listen to this because for some reason I have memories of this band being real hyped up yet I’d never listened to it before. But I guess I was surprised that it was kinda meh
Idk why but to me arcade fire’s music always sounds like it’s made in a post apocalyptic society. I think its because I was reading Hunger Games back when I first listened to the Suburbs album 2.5/5
Extremely mid indie rock
I used to own this CD. Musically, I think it's like 4½, but lyrically, I just wasn't always in the mood for it. So I'll call it 3½.
Does anyone else feel that the vocals sometimes resemble a rockabilly style? Or is it just my broken ears? Anyway, if I were king of the world, my first law would be the banning of all personal motorized vehicles.
I liked this album more than Funeral, but I’ve determined that I’m just not drawn to this music. It has its positives: it’s got that indie soft to rocking buildup, the harmonizations are key, and it has creative inspirations. However, it just doesn’t connect for me. Perhaps the ideas are too large and just don’t land. They have a very large sound that just gets too messy. No Cars Go was a great late album addition. More songs like this please.
This is another one that's good and I think was probably really influential but it's not moving me in any crazy type of way
There's some really great things in here that make me want to like them, but I saw them perform live on SNL a few years back and that really killed it for me. The sounds are blended well and there is lots of thought put in, but I think they're missing some raw singing prowess in many places.
The fact that they renovated a church to record this makes it that much better. I love their sound, I’ve only listened to funeral and now this album and I’m gonna have to check more out. Solid 3.5 but I can’t round up today
Of the three I've now heard, Funeral is still my #1. This one lacked the punch.
I know Arcade Fire are part of the Indie “beloved” but they just don’t ignite my interest. Keep the Car Running and No Cars Go are good. I guess I like their car themed songs.
Pretty good stuff here
Not a personal favorite, but I didn’t dislike any one element. I quite enjoyed the use of the organ and it felt like it played with distance in an interesting way, it just happens to be a sound I’m not searching for at the moment.
Just okay
I've only heard of Arcade Fire in passing but I've never sat down to listen to an album. I really like it though!
fav song- my body is a cage
It's fine. I appreciate that it was recorded in a refurbished church. Love the pipe organ. It's interesting lyrically. But musically it mostly left me cold. I'm not going to rush to hear any of it again.
Never really dug into this one. I thought most people wrote it off as not as good as their debut. After listening a few times, I don’t think my mind changed on it, but it is better than I thought. Its fine, but its not an album I would seek out.
I couldn't finish it. I found it non-descript and, frankly, not worth the effort.
This album sounds like a fuzzier, lo-fi version of the Black Keys album Brothers. The songs on this album also reminded me at times of lord Huron
I found it pretty enjoyable but not revolutionary. Definitely captures a certain alt/indie vibe.
Not as good as the hype for the band
Yeah it's okay
Not bad but having listened to it 12 hours ago, nothing is sticking with me
Pretty enjoyable rock album. I really like the composition of the songs. The organ, orchestral, and piano parts are very cool.
Great album!
Jedan od njihovih bezveznijih
All normal edgelord Indie themes aside, there is some really nice music on this album. Arcade Fire do not fall into the trap of "having your lyricist sing poorly on purpose," so they get some marks up in my book for that too. Favorite track: The Well and the Lighthouse
Another "meh" album in my opinion.
Wel okee
I thought for sure I'd love this but nope. It's a bit whiney and I don't know what anyone is saying. And every song makes me think, "Is this the one from the Apple commercial"? I even listened to this a few times. This should be right up my ally b/c I liked this era of music (discovered it a little late as school took up a lot of my time). Maybe I should give it a fourth try.
i thought this was alright. definitely nothing too crazy but i did really enjoy the final track. fun for one listen but probably wont revisit
Vau, excited buvau, kad Arcade Fire, bet nesuzavejo
quite ok, but nothing special....
6/10 eh
I find it cool how the song titles really fit the whole vibe of the songs.
there’s something great about this record but there’s something i don’t like about it, i do t really get it, it seems fake even though i believe the band is sincere
Enjoyed it!
Hadn't heard this before and liked it well enough, but I never felt anything in the music that would have pushed my evaluation above just average on the list.
it’s fine
2/13- Driving to school Prime Arcade Fire, lyricism and concepts don’t match to The Suburbs and the style isn’t as engaging either, but still a good album with a lot of fun songs and relatable lyrics.
Ehhhhhh
Not there best, a lot of this sounded the same to me
I don't think I get the appeal. There are a couple of songs I enjoyed (Ocean of Noise, The Well and the Lighthouse, My Body is a Cage) but overall it seems pretty bland to me. Moreover, when I look through the tracklist it seems that the album starts really slowly and the songs at the front are not nearly as good as the second half of the album, which probably impacts my overall sentiment. I enjoy the instrumentals, especially considering that the band is full of multinstrumentalists. Especially like the organs on the last track. I didn't get trhough the lyrics too much - they're a bit too complex and poetic for me as a non-native speaker to dig through over one day. I don't know why but I get a feeling that these guys are a bit pretentious though? Not sure if this is right, just a feeling. Still, it is a good album but does not match the hype for me. 3.5/5
I thought it was good, I like the sound, the organ is quite a choice... why is it on the list though, I mean, how many Arcade Fire albums could possibly be on this list?
Starts off strong with "Black Mirror," but as it goes on, it sounds more and more like some kind of Off-Broadway musical. The melodrama of it is exhausting.
3.5 for me, not my favorite by Arcade Fire but still something I'll put on from time to time.
A bit of an oasis during the doldrums of the mid-2000s. I would have gone with Funeral over this album (maybe we’ll see it) since that’s when AF first emerged and gave us a taste of that Montréal sound. Still an album with a few great tracks. A strong ⭐️⭐️⭐️s