The Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible" (2007)

[DudeAsInCool]

Following their sensational debut with 'Funeral', Montreal's Arcade Fire return with the critically acclaimed "Neon Bible." This time around, instead of exploring youthful themes , the band instead takes on heavier fare, including global paranoia and celebrity culture.

Yet despite a lofty change in their poetics, the band's refreshing and celebratory fusion of colorful instrumentation remains in tact. Frontman and lead vocalist Win Butler hails over the band's layered percussion and hanclaps, mandolin and violins, acoustic and electric guitar, organs, as if he's leading a rock revival. Which of course, he is - to the converted.

I'm admittedly not the biggest fan of The Arcade Fire. Don't get me wrong, I like some of their stuff...I just don't think they are the second coming like most of these folks: (Music Bloggers, or Music Critics). I find their song-writing to be inconsistent. On the other hand, I haven't seen them live, either - which may be the trick.

Criticism aside, when The Arcade Fire are 'on', there is no question that are as good as any rock band in the world. Check out one of these fantastic performances of "Keep The Car Running", easily the best track on 'Neon Bible' (e.g. Jonathan Ross Live! or Live at Coachella):

If you are interested you can also check out more of the band's music at MySpace, or Elbows and make up your own mind. And if you like what you hear, pick up a copy over at Amazon.

[James]

I don't really like Arcade Fire but i respect a lot of people enjoy their sound, and apparently are a class live act

[Mister Spong]

A real slowburner of a band. I was less than impressed with them when they first came out but I quite enjoy them now.