The Arcade Fire are making something of a name for themselves in 2005. Their classy album, FUNERAL is certainly a contender for best album of 2005.
Their unique blend of ochestral laid back music and regular guitar and drums has quietly crept onto the periphery of cool. No one really saw them coming, and proof again that it's the bands with no hype that really raise the bar.
Track 1, NEIGHBORHOOD #1 (TUNNELS), is a beautiful opener. In my opinion, it's the best song on the album. The piano, strings, organ and percussion all play on your emotions and create a song which is unnerving and astoundingly good. The chord changes are certainly something you should listen out for, they can't fail to move you. Lyrics here are very interesting. Basically, the song tells the story of a young couple who meet secretly in the town. Highlights lyrically include "I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours". Have a listen, and then maybe read through the lyrics. It's all good stuff.
My other favourite song is REBELLION (LIES). I think this song's more cheerful than track 1, and there's a simplicity to the lyrics that I really enjoy. "Now here's the moon, it's alright (Lies!, Lies!)". The opening percussion is also nice, and the song gradually builds up your expectation.
The later tracks on the album sound a little like bjork. I think this is because the female singer, (who doesn't make an appearance on the earlier songs) gets a chance to shine. That's what comes from having such a large band of 15 members. Not everyone is needed on each song, so each track is a little different in some way. This is a huge win against albums with tracks that sound all the same.
This album is consistently heart warming, in a sad way. Allegedly a number of family deaths struck the band while the album was being compiled, and to me, I can really see the influence in the music. It's kind of unnerving or creepy at times, and there's this cobwebby, victoriana, dark feel to the music. I really dislike conventional 'gothic' music, but here it's done with an elegance which is clever and thought provoking. However you interpret it this dark style, it really worked for me.
The Arcade Fire suprised me. The first song I heard from the band was POWER OUT, and that's a very guitar heavy piece in comparison to the rest of the album. I liked the song, and the video was also very cool. But then when I heard REBELLION (LIES) for the first time, I was disappointed. I now love that track. I think that because POWER OUT is in a different style to the rest of the album, it takes a while to adjust and not immediately see the rest of the album as "soft rubbish".
To cut a long story short, don't buy the album on the basis of POWER OUT. Definitely have a listen to Track 1 if you can, and THEN decide. It's certainly a very classy piece of work, so I would imagine you will either love it or hate it.
I loved it!
(By the way, I really liked the inlay. It is kind of in the style of a programme for a funeral service!)
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"Wake Up," a track from,Funeral, the debut full-length by Montreal's Arcade Fire, builds ... more
from a midtempo strum into a "You Can't Hurry Love" gallop, which singer Win Butler interrupts with a yell: "You better look out below!" Somehow, none of this hits...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
"Wake Up," a track from, Funeral, the debut full-length by Montreal's Arcade Fire, builds ... more
from a midtempo strum into a "You Can't Hurry Love" gallop, which singer Win Butler interrupts with a yell: "You better look out below!" Somehow, none of this hit...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
'Funeral' is the debut album from Canadian five piece The Arcade Fire. Written and ... more
recorded at a time when close family members of the band had passed away, the album draws on these experiences and mixes them with a sound which has been compared to the...
Advantages: Original, funny, terrifying, scary, emotional...the list goes on Disadvantages: Are there any? Not every track is instantly accesable, but get into it!
Advantages: Sublime Tracks, Beautiful Arrangement, Intriguing Lyrics, Intriguing Sound, Unique Disadvantages: The album sleeve could of been an album case
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