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 Neon Bible :: 0205453546
Description
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| For their second full-length, the Montreal-based seven-or-eight-piece Arcade Fire show themselves capable of Big Rock, as original, and as potentially marquee-topping as TV on the Radio and Sigur Ros. Regardless, the intentional murkiness of these pleasantly anthemic New Wave dirges makes it sound as if the music has already reverberated through a crowded cement stadium. Named after cult author John Kennedy Toole's first novel, Neon Bible is smart and subtle enough to present itself as a personal discovery for every listener, every word to be pored over by fans (as with those of Tori Amos, Pavement, and Radiohead). Surely, lines like "The sound is not asleep/ It's moving under my feet" have already been scribbled onto the margins of countless textbooks. Such words are delivered with less intensity this time, but no less import. For vocal influences, lead singer Win Butler seems to have traded his '80s Bowie in for an '80s Springsteen, at least on the songs "Antichrist Television Blues" and "Windowsill" (though "Intervention" sounds an awful lot like '80s era Go-Betweens). The kitchen sink arrangements include the use of an Eastern European orchestra, pipe organ, hurdy gurdy, and a military choir. --Mike McGonigal Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
This album is in no way Funeral pt. 2. It sounds completely different, which means these guys and gals are as talented (actually more) than we thought all along. This album reminds me of a lot of things, as you see in these varied reviews, but the great thing is that you can't exactly place it. And it only reminds me of things I love.
Wonderfully crafted and detailed, it takes multiple listens, as did Funeral, for this album to get under your skin. But when it does, it does.
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Author: Guest
I'll definitely have to get Funeral reading the reviews -- this is my first CD from the group and it's so unusual to be able to rank 90% of the selections as 5 and 4 star -- I try to weed out so that I can place my favorites on a custom CD, but I liked every cut! No Cars Go and the Well and the Lighthouse are like 5+ stars in my humble opinion. Off to the Funeral.....
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Author: Guest
If you thought that Neon Bible should be every bit as good as Funeral, then it's no wonder you are disappointed. Arcade Fire's last album Funeral is a masterpiece. It is easily one of the best records of the decade. It is therefore simply unreasonable and unfair to expect Arcade Fire to match it. Neon Bible should be judged on its own merits. While it's no Funeral, it is a fine album, far superior to much of the garbage you could buy and consume.
Yes, "Keep the Car Running" reminds one of "On the Dark Side" from the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack. And some of the songs recall Bruce Springsteen. No album is made in a vacuum and anyone expecting complete originality from a rock band is not going to find much rock enjoyable. But Neon Bible is unmistakably an Arcade Fire album. Whatever their influences might have been, they have made them their own.
Arcade Fire was in the unenviable position of creating a follow-up to Funeral. Had they produced another Funeral, some of us would have been disappointed and would have accused the band of pandering to their fans or running out of ideas. So the band did something different, and now some of us are upset about the direction they have taken. The pipe organ in "Intervention" is there for a reason, and there is no reason why Arcade Fire should limit themselves to the sounds and instruments they used on Funeral. Again, evaluate Neon Bible on its own merits. Arcade Fire has produced another beautiful set of songs. If songs like "(Antichrist Television Blues)" and "No Cars Go" leave you unmoved, you should probably see your doctor for a check-up.
There will be only one Funeral. Just accept it, let the band evolve, and consider yourself lucky for having had the opportunity to hear Neon Bible. Unless, of course, you don't like anything Arcade Fire has done. In that case, nothing I can say will help you.
By the way, a version of "No Cars Go" appears on Arcade Fire's self-titled debut album. Am I the only one who is aware that it exists?
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Author: Guest
Wonderful, complete... worth buying instead of downloading. Fantastic follow up to Funeral. Special edition is for the collector or art lover. Flip books may not satiate the present day average hungry consumer- better left for those who enjoy art over sitcoms. Love it.
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Author: Guest
Honest to God, what is the fuss about? This stuff sounds like Crash Test Dummies Doing Simple Minds circa 1985. A total mess. Avoid.
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