Background Information:
Arcade Fire is an indie rock band from Montreal, Canada formed by husband and wife duo Win Butler and Regine Chassagne. The band is unique for its stage presence as they tour with many members who each change instrumental duties throughout the show. Instrumental duties include guitar, drums, bass guitar, piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, keyboard, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy, harp and mandolin. Their debut album Funeral went on to reach critical aclaim being nominated in 2005 for a grammy award for the best alternative music album. Their second album Neon Bible went on to add to their success also being nominated for a grammy award for the best alternative music album.

The newest and most exciting band to come out of canada and they name their debut album "funeral". I must admit I was not impressed. Funeral conjures up words that signals the end although their talent had yet to be unleashed on the music scene that had yearned for such talent. However once I had listened and read about the album I began to understand. "Funeral" depicts the sadness that arose whilst writing the album with many members of the band loosing several relatives during the recording.
The overall theme of the album preys upon this whilst trying to be discreet. The majority of the songs on the album are about defiance in the face of adversity, sadness or oppression. Emotion is either being let loose in Wins amazing vocals or being kept back in a sombre silence although its presence cannot be hidden.
In the background information I pretended to claim Arcade Fire were an indie rock band. In truth their genre is unknown. Such diversity in lyrics and sound leaves them somewhere between theatrical, chamber music, rock gospel and guitar rock.
Funeral is unique for its crunchy guitars, intricate string arrangements, and desperate crescendos for an album that is by turns melancholic, playful, and angry, but thoroughly beautiful. This equally beautiful and harrowing listen adds to the groundbreaking sound that creates unpredictability on each track ultimately succeeding by keeping the listener guessing as to what lies around the next corner of each proceeding track. This element adds to the idea of life and death in which the album is centred around.
Overall Funeral is an atmospheric piece of work that is in no better words sublime.
You should buy it as soon as you can it's an intriguing listen.

01 Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - The first song of the album and the first single Arcade Fire released. The song begins with a faint electronic whine appearing in the background then bass drum and vocals appear. Wins vocals are overwhelming as he attempts to tell a story that grows deeper in emotion as the song progresses. Layers of instrumentation are added as this beautiful and atmospheric track draws to a close.
Thought provoking and intense this track throws you into a dreamy world that you find impossible to escape from.

03 Une Année Sans Lumiere - To begin with the French translation of this song means a "year without lights". This track is a melody that is faint and slow although becomes more tense when drawing to its conclusion. The song becomes quite relaxing due to its neat guitar line that carries the song and its French lyrics that creates a tender atmosphere.

OVERALL
I give this album 9 out of 10. Instrumental masterpieces with deep and creative lyrical writing forms an album heavy in emotion that is both beautiful in sound and lyrics. An album what you can appreciate and not just listen too. A fantastic attempt by Arcade Fire AKA THE MUSICAL GENIUS'S.

PRICE
I paid £11 for this album when it came out although there was a lot of hype at the time. Due to its success this album won't be cheap though I saw it the other day in Zavvi for £6 and if you ask me that's a fair bargain. It's also available on eBay at the cheapest for £4. Whatever price you get it at its worth it.