If the phrase “indie rock” makes your skin crawl, and you feel an instinctive shock of revulsion, then congratulations, for you are my sibling. At times, it’s almost embarassing how mainstream my tastes can be. But good music is good music, and while The Arcade Fire couldn’t be more indie-rock if they tried — they’re like a French-Canadian Modest Mouse with Cat Power on occasional guest vocals, and they have a freaking accordion player — they’ve also recorded a really, really, really great album. I recommend Funeral largely because I think U2 fans would find a lot to love in it; the singing’s a bit reedy, but the music is always lush and unafraid to be expansive and epic — “Wake Up” gives even the biggest anthems on HTDAAB a run for their money — and lyrically, they’re startlingly poignant and extremely imaginative. And this is only their debut album — you’re likely to hear a lot more about them in the future.
Buy Funeral from Amazon, or read the reviews at Metacritic.
The buzz on this band is for real. Not only is Funeral a really, really, really great album – superior to HTDAAB, frankly, and this from a U2 fan who goes all the way back to Boy – but The Arcade Fire is absolutely enthralling live as well.
The buzz on this band is for real. Not only is Funeral a really, really, really great album – superior to HTDAAB, frankly, and this from a U2 fan who goes all the way back to Boy – but The Arcade Fire is absolutely enthralling live as well.
Ever since I read this I’ve had The Killer’s ‘Indie Rock and Roll’ in my head.
Ever since I read this I’ve had The Killer’s ‘Indie Rock and Roll’ in my head.
I really love this album. The hype is for real, for sure, unlike with the new Fiery Furnaces album, which completely bores me. I would recommend Funeral to every U2 fan, or anybody in search of great music. It’s out there, you just have to sort through the pile of rubbish on top of it.
I really love this album. The hype is for real, for sure, unlike with the new Fiery Furnaces album, which completely bores me. I would recommend Funeral to every U2 fan, or anybody in search of great music. It’s out there, you just have to sort through the pile of rubbish on top of it.
Okay, so I just can’t help myself. David Bowie resurfaced yesterday on his website and mentioned this album as well. This is what he had to say:
THERE’S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.
‘THE ARCADE FIRE’ HAVE THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR.
You must, simply must, buy it now, today, pronto. Quite the most beautiful, moving and passionate piece of brilliant song-writing and quirky performance I’ve heard in YONKS !!!
It’s called ‘FUNERAL’ (Merge Records) and nothing else (and yes, I’ve heard the new U2) comes close.
(Well, maybe ‘Secret Machines’ and their CD ‘Now Here Is Nowhere)
Okay, so I just can’t help myself. David Bowie resurfaced yesterday on his website and mentioned this album as well. This is what he had to say:
THERE’S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.
‘THE ARCADE FIRE’ HAVE THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR.
You must, simply must, buy it now, today, pronto. Quite the most beautiful, moving and passionate piece of brilliant song-writing and quirky performance I’ve heard in YONKS !!!
It’s called ‘FUNERAL’ (Merge Records) and nothing else (and yes, I’ve heard the new U2) comes close.
(Well, maybe ‘Secret Machines’ and their CD ‘Now Here Is Nowhere)
Yes–repeating, I know, but one more long-time U2 fan (who is also a big indie rock fan) here who LOVES this album. Stumbled on it a few months back and just noticed the last strains of “Wake Up” playing before the beginning of the second San Diego show on the bootleg… couldn’t believe it!
Yes–repeating, I know, but one more long-time U2 fan (who is also a big indie rock fan) here who LOVES this album. Stumbled on it a few months back and just noticed the last strains of “Wake Up” playing before the beginning of the second San Diego show on the bootleg… couldn’t believe it!