Not to nitpick, but surely you mean Black MIRROR, not Black Wave/Bad vibrations, as one of the standout tracks on Neon Bible??

Listening to this for the first time now and my early impression is, wow, they've appropriated alot of current trends. Sounds very Broken Social Scene in parts, a bit like The Knife in others, and maybe I'm crazy but I think I just heard a Bon Iver style vocal hook.

That's not necessarily a bad thing at all, although the new new-wave aesthetic is a little disappointing right off the bat-- especially after Funerals did so much to craft a unique sound from that niche.

Whatever, still on my virgin listen. Not love at first sight, but definitely a looker.

No, I really liked Black Wave/Bad Vibrations. Might not be a jump-out moment of Neon Bible, but it stands alone as a pretty unique track on the record. A personal favourite, and a good example of how Regine's vocals (used more on The Suburbs) can take their music somewhere new.

Here is a link to the song(s) on YouTube. I love the transition, when Win comes in. I basically love everything about this track. The contrast is amazing: the need to flee countered by this reluctance because of what could be around the corner. Lyrically it's fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LZ9z71ErWA

Huh. Interesting. I agree that Neon Bible felt a little thin, given the shadow of epic expectations and then the epic gloom the album wrapped itself in. But this song felt like a hallmark of that thinness to me; Regine's part undercooked and unexplored, Win's part bombastic and overly repetitive. Then the two halves slapped together like a cracker and a cookie trying to pass as a sandwich.

Ok, too harsh, and, yes, the transition is great. The juxtaposition is well thought out too. It might've been an excellent midway point on the epic album that wasn't quite. Win's part does drone on and on though...

Anyway, you're entitled to your opinion (obviously-- you're even paid for it!), but thanks also for taking the taking the time to share it more fully. Can't say I at all minded giving the song a second chance.

I liked Funeral and Neon Bible was ok. Its always best to wait six months down the line to gauge how good an album is, thats why the author's OK Computer comment is a bit silly. To compare The Suburbs to OK Computer, probably the best album ever made, is very strange and Mr. Driver has had a bit of stick from other critics for this, however, early impressions of The Suburbs is that it is impressive, particularly at the start but is underwhelming in parts. The album is too long and so even if it is a grower, which it will be, there is going to be a few irrelevent tracks which may prevent it from being a classic. However, Arcade Fire are to be congradulated on proving they are one of the top bands around and whilst The Suburbs isn't OK Computer, Arcade Fire are turning into becoming the closest thing to another Radiohead.

@ dha100... Thanks for your comment. The OK Computer reference is less a direct comparison to, more a career-stage parallel - both third albums, both the most ambitious yet in the artist's catalogue. Arguably, this is a greater leap, from Neon Bible, than The Bends was to OK Computer. Good to see that you also hear this, based upon your last sentence. Great album (although I agree that it's perhaps a little on the long side).

MD

This review is spot on. Tentatively is exactly how I approached my first listen (not wanting to be disappointed). Initially I was impressed, cautiously so, but not knocked off my feet. So, I listened again.

Like MD, I've had the album on repeat, and have paid attention to its textures, echoes and brilliant lyrical interplay. Lyrically it repeats itself over and over, perhaps most strikingly on Month of May and Wasted Hours' "first they built the road, then they built the town", but also, more subtly: in City With No Children someone is waiting for a letter; in We Used To Wait we are told he "never wrote a letter".

The effect is that you feel it is someone's story that is being told, rather than a sequence of unrelated anecdotes from different voices. And it's a personal and moving story, both angry and sad, but above all about longing (for the past, to be someone you're not, for the lights to go off). What strikes me most of all is how ADULT this record is: the workplace ("punch the clock" in Sprawl II), debt and the markets crashing on Half Light II, nostalgia - for youth in Half Light I, for "old friends" in Suburban War, and for "learning to drive" pretty much everywhere (there's another echo, from Funeral) - are all covered. "Put your cell phone" and "your laptop down" both Win and Regine sing in Deep Blue, and notice that there is "something wild" out there.

Regine's "they heard me singing and told me to stop" in the glorious Sprawl II says it all - who are they? How dare they? When the singing's this good?! And when you stop, you do what? Get a job, and move to the suburbs.

Better than OK Computer? It astonishes less, but it means more.

@Amba

Your reference to a "Bon Iver vocal hook" .. Modern Man.. the first time he says "something don't feel right"?? Am I right?

I knew this sounded so familiar and reminded me of someone but I couldn't place it.

This album is incredible. IMHO, this is their best work to date. I can't decide which song is my favorite and which song I think is the most amazing. Sprawl II is definitely To put out a record with 16 tracks that is as solid as this one from start to finish is amazing.

oops. I meant to delete the sentence referring to sprawl II and other individual tracks. please ignore that fragment

Because of this album, Arcade fire is now in the same league as Radiohead. That's what we know for now.

We will have to wait ten years or so to know if this piece of art has the great cultural significance we wish it has.

I remember, in the summer of 1997, when OK Computer came out, people around me didn't really liked it. They missed the directness of the Bends, the classic song structures and the electric guitars.

Personnaly, between OK Computer and Suburbs, I prefer the Suburbs. OK Computer is a masterpiece but it's a downer.

I saw this band at Reading Festival. I was expecting something special and was a bit worried about being disappointed.

Just before they came on, the moon rose through the eerie clouds behind the main stage. What better way to introduce this amazing band that seems to elevate you to some kind of spiritual level when you watch them.

Astonishing, epic, thought povoking, emotional, mesmorizing, and even better than I hoped.

I'm also not sure I agree that the Suburbs is too long - I have been listening to it many times for the last month, and I have never felt the urge to skip a track.

The most amazing thing I found about Arcade Fire is that when I mention them to people I know, the response is often "Arcade who?" - a similar response to the one I would have got when mentioning Elbow for example, a few years back. I don't think they will be saying that for much longer.

How many other bands have produced 3 albums of such quality in a row, without a single filler track? Few indeed. It seems indeed that they are entering the same league as bands like Radiohead, U2 of old, and a very few others.

I agree that this album is V good. Certainly better than Neon Bible which was patchy - I like Black Wave - cant say the same for the title track or quite a few others. I liked all but one track of Funeral and like all the tracks on this one.

I know music is about taste, but how can he not mention the 2 best tracks on this album - 'Suburban War' and 'We Used to Wait'. Suburban War has a guitar theme that sounds like the best song the Byrds never made and is simply magical as is 'We used to Wait. Maybe its because both are not as immediate as 'Month of May' or 'Ready to Start'. Both come through as more enduring for me.

How also can you not mention 'Rebellion/Lies' as a stand-out from Funeral. It wasnt just a stand-out from the album, it was just outstanding.

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