Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
So here it is finally - The second most anticipated album of the 21st Century ( First one is the next Interpol record). I'm taking it upon myself to review it, in a completely non biased way. I will be critical, neutral and review it in a completely professional manner.
So here goes:
It's the best album ever made.
Just kidding. Actually I was hoping to end it there, but the thing is I cant.
While it is very very good it has it's flaws
So here is Marty Farty's track by track guide to Neon Bible:
1.Black Mirror
Great opening track. Starts off with the darkest thunder rolling over dead hills. Apparently the funeral is still in full swing..
2. Keep the Car Running
Borrowing from Lee Hazelwood on this track it's a foot stopping ditty that may become a club favorite. Lyrically the Fire are still sullen as ever but that's a good thing
3. Neon Bible
Don't know why I'm saying this but it reminds me of Lloyd Cole. Deep, deep vocals, gently plucked guitars. Lovely
4. Intervention
I know this song from the live disc doing the rounds. The studio version is BIG though. Starts off ridiculously bombastically. What sounds like the organ from St Paul's cathedral turned up to 11, accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Not to sure it worked at first, but by the time the first verse was finished I was convinced that this is the best Arcade Fire song ever written. I cant wait for Marc to play it at Cellardoor (only so I can choogle)
5.Black Wave / Bad Vibrations
Oh my god it's the Belle Stars. Oh hang they've calmed down. I'm pretty sure this track would go down well on the Stars last album. The first minute sounds under - rehearsed and badly mixed, but this may just be a prelude to the devasting "part 2" where they find their feet in an alarming fashion, and play minor chords that would leave Satan quivering.
6. Ocean of Noise
Okay this is up there with Intervention, for 2 reasons:
1.It reminds me of Luna
2.It makes me cry. I suggest you save this song for a time when you can just LISTEN. It puts Arcade Fire on their own with the glut of New Canadian Glut of Indie all wishing they could write songs like this. Outstanding
7. The Well and the Lighthouse
Oh good we're back to the footstompers. Another floorfiller with a groove similar to Lies.. Except not really. But it's got the same ballsy basslines and sing-along moments.
8. (Antichrist Television Blues)
This sounds like Bruce Springsteen. Strange.
9. Windowstill
Back to the sotto voice You can feel the explosion coming you know it's only a matter of time now. And then you have nothing It rumbles under the radar without ever quite unleashing it's initial promise. I think that's called subtlety. I like it.
10. No Cars Go
Remember Prefab Sprout? It seems they have somehow filtered into a Arcade Fire song. I never really liked Prefab Sprout, but then I was at the height of my gothdom, where I didn't listen to anything unless it had the the words "Sisters" or "Nephilim" in it. Still sounds a bit naff though. And strangely like it should be on the last Stars album.
11. My body is a cage
A "funereal" wander through a very very somber tune. Possibly listening to John Lennon solo albums at the time of recording.
Overall Now that I've actually written about it I will be listening to this album for a long time to come. It's as intense as Funeral, but not a rehash. The production is grittier, the songs more earthy, and possibly Arcade Fire will never, ever be happy. But that's why I like them.
So here it is finally - The second most anticipated album of the 21st Century ( First one is the next Interpol record). I'm taking it upon myself to review it, in a completely non biased way. I will be critical, neutral and review it in a completely professional manner.
So here goes:
It's the best album ever made.
Just kidding. Actually I was hoping to end it there, but the thing is I cant.
While it is very very good it has it's flaws
So here is Marty Farty's track by track guide to Neon Bible:
1.Black Mirror
Great opening track. Starts off with the darkest thunder rolling over dead hills. Apparently the funeral is still in full swing..
2. Keep the Car Running
Borrowing from Lee Hazelwood on this track it's a foot stopping ditty that may become a club favorite. Lyrically the Fire are still sullen as ever but that's a good thing
3. Neon Bible
Don't know why I'm saying this but it reminds me of Lloyd Cole. Deep, deep vocals, gently plucked guitars. Lovely
4. Intervention
I know this song from the live disc doing the rounds. The studio version is BIG though. Starts off ridiculously bombastically. What sounds like the organ from St Paul's cathedral turned up to 11, accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Not to sure it worked at first, but by the time the first verse was finished I was convinced that this is the best Arcade Fire song ever written. I cant wait for Marc to play it at Cellardoor (only so I can choogle)
5.Black Wave / Bad Vibrations
Oh my god it's the Belle Stars. Oh hang they've calmed down. I'm pretty sure this track would go down well on the Stars last album. The first minute sounds under - rehearsed and badly mixed, but this may just be a prelude to the devasting "part 2" where they find their feet in an alarming fashion, and play minor chords that would leave Satan quivering.
6. Ocean of Noise
Okay this is up there with Intervention, for 2 reasons:
1.It reminds me of Luna
2.It makes me cry. I suggest you save this song for a time when you can just LISTEN. It puts Arcade Fire on their own with the glut of New Canadian Glut of Indie all wishing they could write songs like this. Outstanding
7. The Well and the Lighthouse
Oh good we're back to the footstompers. Another floorfiller with a groove similar to Lies.. Except not really. But it's got the same ballsy basslines and sing-along moments.
8. (Antichrist Television Blues)
This sounds like Bruce Springsteen. Strange.
9. Windowstill
Back to the sotto voice You can feel the explosion coming you know it's only a matter of time now. And then you have nothing It rumbles under the radar without ever quite unleashing it's initial promise. I think that's called subtlety. I like it.
10. No Cars Go
Remember Prefab Sprout? It seems they have somehow filtered into a Arcade Fire song. I never really liked Prefab Sprout, but then I was at the height of my gothdom, where I didn't listen to anything unless it had the the words "Sisters" or "Nephilim" in it. Still sounds a bit naff though. And strangely like it should be on the last Stars album.
11. My body is a cage
A "funereal" wander through a very very somber tune. Possibly listening to John Lennon solo albums at the time of recording.
Overall Now that I've actually written about it I will be listening to this album for a long time to come. It's as intense as Funeral, but not a rehash. The production is grittier, the songs more earthy, and possibly Arcade Fire will never, ever be happy. But that's why I like them.