Genius! The only reason Arcade Fire might have soph slump is that this album is sooo good and so firmly based in particularly intense events for the band members. This potent combo of circumstances is unlikely to reoccur - but the talent and passion is obviously there.
The only slump I can see here involves most of the rest of the music industry! Still there are always ebbs and flows in creativity and drifts toward blandness, every era has them and every era has a few oases in dry times (no, I do not see oasis as having been one of these!)
Personally, I haven't got the entire album, but I'm planning to. I have, however, listened to Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out), and ****, it's good! If the entire album's as good as that song, then I'm sold.
Posts: 79 | Location: Godzone | Registered: 11 October 2005
Um, obviously Gopher. Not so obvious, it's a matter of opinion. In my opinion, Neighborhood 4 is probably the best on the album. "They say a watched pot never boils, I closed my eyes and nothing changed. Just some water, getting hotter on the flames."
I have some difficulties to understand all the enthusiasm for that band. Even people that I know who listen bad music like Arcade Fire... It's a great band, the songs are great, and that's it. Do I miss something big? And i prefer Rebelion (lies) than neightbourhood #3 (power out).
Originally posted by eggTweedyegg: Even people that I know who listen bad music like Arcade Fire...
Why is this a negative? Hopefully they'll put those people on a path towards good taste. Although to be honest, almost no one I know listens to them, and the few that do listen to pretty good music in general.
And you're right, AF is a great band with great songs. For some reason, other than Death Cab and The Shins, they probably have the most mainstream appeal of any indie band right now (and technically Death Cab isn't indie anymore).
However, that doesn't keep it from being a solid little thing that has about three or four good songs. A few of the tracks here are underwritten or pointless, such as "Haiti" and "Une Annee Sans Lumiere". "In the Backseat" has atrocious lyrics and is jawdroppingly melodramatic. Melodramatic is good when there is a little humor involved. None to be found, unfortunately.
"Laika" sounds sloppy. Sloppy for Arcade Fire would be bad considering they depend on detailed arrangements so much. I forget what "Neighborhood #4" sounds like after it's over.
So that leaves about five songs that I find listenable. Half an album!
And this is not even mentioning the whole hokey concept that includes several "neighborhoods", people digging tunnels to each other's windows, force-feeding your brother his tears, the cheesy image of a "crown of love", an exhortation to Mankind to turn the "power on" in their hearts, a brief trip to Haiti (for no god damn reason), and being a pensive indie kid in the backseat of a car. Lol.
Yeah, so there are some good songs here but the album as a whole could have used some work. And of course, this is my opinion and it obviously runs contrary to what many people think who have more advanced listening skills and musical knowledge.
some how i missed this band live because my 2 friends were to tired to drive 30 mineuts to the venue. and i didn't want alone because i had never heard them. then the next week i get a copy of the record.
One more thing. I was on their purevolume earlier, and I listened to Born on a Train. Is this Win singing, or someone else?..... I think I used the term "greatest band" a little to vaguely
Posts: 50 | Location: New York | Registered: 21 April 2005
It's Win. It's from a live radio session on KCRW during their US tour, he had a cold and his voice was shot. The recording of Intervention is from the same performance.
absolutely think its brilliant. the funeral is one of the best albums to come out during this side of the millenium. i cant wait til their next album!!
Posts: 9 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 01 January 2006
It's Win. It's from a live radio session on KCRW during their US tour, he had a cold and his voice was shot. The recording of Intervention is from the same performance.
Yeah, I was gonna say, he sounded really weird.
Posts: 50 | Location: New York | Registered: 21 April 2005
I hate it when people put the "Emo" signature on anything that seems sad. Enough, this band is not Emo not even close. However I think it is a truly harrowing experience; one cathartic blast after another. Which isn't to say the album is monotonous, there are great ups and downs; the depression of the song "Crown of Love" that goes on for the bulk of the song explodes into a wonderful string section of joy.
My favorate tracks: Neighborhood #2 (Laïka) Crown of Love Wake Up
I don't mind hype if it is legitamate. In this case it is.
He is watching you...
Posts: 48 | Location: Canada | Registered: 02 January 2006
Funeral is a pretty decent album imo. It depends on the mood I'm in if I can listen to the cd straight through. But I can see why people call this album a classic
Posts: 9 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 10 January 2006
Wow. I just don't get it. I can think of about thirty albums that I like better from that year, let alone ever. It seems thrown together, the melodies are repetitive, the girl can't sing...on and on. I do like "Crown of Love" though because it sounds like a Lifted-era Bright Eyes song.
