Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: A

The Arcade Fire’s first album “Funeral” was an instant classic and left many critics starved for their follow up. This time around The Arcade Fire has created a mega-classic sounding album that will be talked about for years to come. “Neon Bible” is a war protest album and a reflection of the current political climate with a melodic base. There are dark emotional under currents and powerful articulate lyrics that accentuate the power cords and sweeping guitar riffs. It is the closest to white gospel music that you can find, and it is powerful stuff.

Listening to “Neon Bible” is an intense and at times fun experience. The progression of songs and themes is perfectly peppered with huge orchestral arrangements and themes. This c.d. is already making many critics lists as the best album so far of 2007. I completely agree that there hasn’t been a more important or historical album since the war in Iraq started. This is a pointed, sharp c.d. that points fingers where it is needed.

“No Cars Go” is a perfect radio friendly song with a chorus that will be stuck in your head just after the first couple of listens. “Neon Bible” opens the disc with a quiet and powerful beat that builds and lingers. “Windowstill” reminds me of The Arcade Fire’s first disc which still has rotation in my iPod. All of “Neon Bible” has that familiar Arcade Fire sound but a bit more progressive in it’s production. To say this album is innovative would be redundant. For example, “Black Mirror” builds a web of sounds that is unreal, listen for yourself below

“NO CARS GO”

“BLACK MIRROR”

“WINDOWSTILL”

I have seen The Arcade Fire live at The Warfield theater in San Francisco in support of their last c.d. “Funeral” and it was an awesome display of expert musicians and precise timing. I could only imagine how well this disc will play out in a similar venue. I am excited to see this band grow and to hear what other poetic masterpieces they come up with. Their topical lyrics and genius arrangements haunt me long after listening, and that is the true test of an artist.