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Arcade Fire - Album #3 - Page 3

post #101 of 207
8/3/10 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Abed View Post
I adore the epic feel of Neon Bible, but its bloated and exaggerated production isn't gonna do it any favors years from now.
I see people accuse Neon Bible of being overblown all the time, but I really don't get it. It does have a more dense, orchestral sound, but for the most part the songs are much more understated than Funeral's string of bombastic emotional anthems. I find that one their most listenable album, just because it isn't quite so draining.

I still need to process this new one, but right now I'm not feeling it. Some really excellent songs appear towards the end, but it seems like there are so many mid tempo, static dirges with limp tunes and generic chord sequences. I'm hoping hidden depths will reveal themselves soon.
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post #102 of 207
8/3/10 at 11:49am
This article http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/ar.../01arcade.html speaks about the band's commitment to the full-album aesthetic, as well as the importance of physical releases & artwork. Good stuff.
Recording the album onto 24-track tape, pressing 12-inch vinyl masters of each song and then recording the digital from that is just... well, it gives me a weird boner.
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post #103 of 207
8/3/10 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul C View Post
I see people accuse Neon Bible of being overblown all the time, but I really don't get it. It does have a more dense, orchestral sound, but for the most part the songs are much more understated than Funeral's string of bombastic emotional anthems. I find that one their most listenable album, just because it isn't quite so draining.

I still need to process this new one, but right now I'm not feeling it. Some really excellent songs appear towards the end, but it seems like there are so many mid tempo, static dirges with limp tunes and generic chord sequences. I'm hoping hidden depths will reveal themselves soon.
My comment wasn't really a criticism of the music on Neon Bible, because the way it's layered and mixed gives it its own identity. 'The Well and the Lighthouse' could be my fave AF tune, and once the main chorus begins to erupt, its theatricality has snagged me right in its grip. But I don't know how well that sort of histrionics will age when I'm listening in my late '40s and early '50s.

The "hidden depths" of the new album really began to take shape for me with 'Suburban War', 'Wasted Hours', and 'Deep Blue'. All three grew on me like mold on wheat bread and added to the album's resonance immensely.
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post #104 of 207
8/3/10 at 6:16pm
Sprawl II is so, so good, and so danceable. But can I just say this:-

ROCOCO ROCOCO ROCOCO ROCOCO

Cheers.
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post #105 of 207
8/3/10 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Abed View Post
'The Well and the Lighthouse' could be my fave AF tune, and once the main chorus begins to erupt, its theatricality has snagged me right in its grip. But I don't know how well that sort of histrionics will age when I'm listening in my late '40s and early '50s.
I love that song as well, but I guess I just don't see it as all that histrionic. If I had to tag an Arcade Fire track with that label it would probably be one of those wailing sing along epics like Wake Up or Crown of Love or something like that.
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post #106 of 207
8/3/10 at 6:36pm
My ear for detail just sucks (entirely possible), the speakers I'm currently using are lousy (entirely possible), or there were different leaks of varying quality, because the difference between the Amazon download and the copy I've had is nowhere near as distinct as people are making it out to be in this thread.

Could it be that you're just warming up to the album? I'm liking it more, but I still think it lacks a little in the energy and pacing departments compared to their previous work. It's still one of the better releases of the year, but I don't think I'm going to end up liking it more than Funeral (although I can see it equaling Neon Bible).
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post #107 of 207
8/3/10 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB View Post
My ear for detail just sucks (entirely possible), the speakers I'm currently using are lousy (entirely possible), or there were different leaks of varying quality, because the difference between the Amazon download and the copy I've had is nowhere near as distinct as people are making it out to be in this thread.

Could it be that you're just warming up to the album? I'm liking it more, but I still think it lacks a little in the energy and pacing departments compared to their previous work. It's still one of the better releases of the year, but I don't think I'm going to end up liking it more than Funeral (although I can see it equaling Neon Bible).
I listened to it on vinyl and downloaded FLAC files, so the quality between that and the Amazon MP3's might have something to do with it. Or we had different bootleg copies, because I swear to god there is a huge difference in quality between the two. Get some quality headphones and compare. It's not outstandingly huge, but you'll notice some big differences.

Or, it could be one of the things you mentioned.

And it's nowhere close to Funeral for me. Granted, Funeral is my favorite record of the past decade (and one of my favorites ever). It's growing on me means that I was somewhat passive and dismissive of it on first listen. Now I'm starting to think it's one of the better releases of the year. But it's also a very good year, so that says a lot.

I think it might surpass Neon Bible for me eventually. I just listened to that album again today (after kinda wearing out The Suburbs) and some of the overblown songwriting doesn't hold up. It's still great, but some of the subtlety and maturity on this album might cause it to edge it out eventually.

ETA: Also, this is just an awesome cover. I wish they played this at the Boston show.
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post #108 of 207
8/3/10 at 11:19pm
Thread Starter 
Dave, don't you own a record player? If I did, I would've bought the vinyl version in a heartbeat.

I don't know if the leaks had varying degrees of quality, but I'm even noticing extra detail in a song like 'Month of May'.
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post #109 of 207
8/4/10 at 9:26am
I really really like it. Even more so than Neon Bible, but yeah, it's really tough to surpass Funeral.
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post #110 of 207
8/4/10 at 10:07am
I would definitely recommend giving it a listen with the best set of headphones you have too. Last night I started listening to it while I was doing stuff around the house and about half way through I was done and listened to the rest of it on headphones and found myself enjoying it a lot more than I did before. With my headphones on I started picking up a lot of the lyrics better too.
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post #111 of 207
8/4/10 at 10:53am
Echoing the headphones statement.

After a few listens I'm liking it A LOT. But I think it's approx. 1 to 1 1/2 songs too long. Specifically around Wasted Hours/Deep Blue/We Used to Wait. Which is funny, considering what Ray Abed posted above.
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post #112 of 207
8/4/10 at 11:23am
After a half-dozen listens or so, the only track I have an urge to skip right now is "City With No Children", which sounds like pedestrian late-era U2. The "Wasted Hours" to "Deep Blue" stretch is a little indistinguishable at the moment but I could see it revealing itself after a while.

Regine should be singing more. A lot more.
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post #113 of 207
8/4/10 at 11:38am
This album is great. I'm gonna try to find that half a song that doesn't belong though.
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post #114 of 207
8/4/10 at 12:16pm
I think Wasted Hours and Deep Blue should have fucked and gave birth to a better baby. That baby would then spit up on We Used to Wait. Then everything would be golden.
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post #115 of 207
8/4/10 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Bean View Post
I think Wasted Hours and Deep Blue should have fucked and gave birth to a better baby. That baby would then spit up on We Used to Wait. Then everything would be golden.
Funny, We Used To Wait is one of my favorite songs on the album.

Wasted Hours is probably the one I'm the least excited about, but I kinda like Deep Blue. I like how it builds to that catchy chorus. It was good live, too.
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post #116 of 207
8/4/10 at 1:36pm
I actually really like We Used to Wait, too. Hence, just the spit-up.

Neither Wasted Hours or Deep Blue are bad per se... it's just that by that point in the album you're pretty much ready for the Sprawl's to lovingly take you home. I think of them as kind of like the scene in your own movie that you're attached to so never cut, but an outside eye would tell you to lose it.
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post #117 of 207
8/4/10 at 2:43pm
I've only listened to the album as a whole at this point (aside from the singles that were first released).

It didn't feel bloated to me, but I was painting a room. So the time floating by without notice is not unheard of during that shit.
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post #118 of 207
8/4/10 at 3:01pm
I've listened to it through start to finish about 5 times now, haven't jumped to any specific song to just listen to that song yet. But Sprawl II is the most enjoyable piece of music I've heard in a year.

Its a very good album, to be sure. Really listenable, but its one where the tracks that stand out at first because of an obvious hook are gonna wear thin a lot faster than the others (City With No Children, I'm looking at you). Where does it sit in the canon? Well, Neon Bible never fully clicked for me, though it does contain some of my favourite songs of theirs. Funeral is one of the great albums of the last decade for me. Right now, Id say The Suburbs sits somewhere in between the two, but its very early days.

My fear is that the love I'm experiencing right now will give way to indifference once the album's played out. But I hope not. Cos I am a little in love with it at the moment,
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post #119 of 207
8/5/10 at 2:05am
Tonight @ MSG: Great show or greatest show?

They came on late and it was a little short, but otherwise, holy shit.

Not-entirely-accurate setlist:

Ready To Start
Laika
No Cars Go
Haiti
Half Light II
Rococo
The Suburbs
Crown Of Love
Intervention
Month Of May
We Used To Wait
Power Out / Rebellion
Tunnels

Encore:
Keep The Car Running
Sprawl II
Wake Up

I have probably cocked up the order pretty bad, but I don't think I missed any songs. They definitely opened with Ready To Start, closed the first set with Tunnels, and closed the whole show with Wake Up. And hey, look who was right in front of us checking out Owen Pallett's act!


(OK, shitty picture. But it's Win.)
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post #120 of 207
8/5/10 at 2:16am
After one listen, I like it. I need to spin it a few more times before anything substantial comes to my mind.
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post #121 of 207
8/5/10 at 2:47am
Thread Starter 
You're one lucky SOB, Count Floyd. And who else could that be but Win in that pic?...he's got the coolest and most fashionable mullet on the planet right now.
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post #122 of 207
8/5/10 at 2:49am
I don't go to a lot of shows, but tonight was the best I've been to.
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post #123 of 207
8/5/10 at 2:50am
I was really harsh to it on first listen. It definitely is on par with Neon Bible and is a worthy addition to their discography. Some just clicked for me on a recent spin.

Also, the last time I saw them live LCD Soundsystem opened. How fucking awesome is that?
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post #124 of 207
8/5/10 at 11:31pm
Anyone listen this live? http://www.youtube.com/ArcadeFireVEVO
Amazing.
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post #125 of 207
8/5/10 at 11:41pm
Yeah, this is fucking great.

ETA : I thought those opening bits with Gilliam were fun.
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post #126 of 207
8/5/10 at 11:54pm
Ask not for whom the bell tolls, U2.
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post #127 of 207
8/5/10 at 11:59pm
Judging this setlist next to the one above I'm anticipating 'Sprawl II' like a motherfucker.
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post #128 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:09am
Yay, the world gets to hear that awesome Power Out/Rebellion segue!
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post #129 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:19am
That was an amazing transition.
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post #130 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:34am
FUCK YES.

ETA : Oh My!
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post #131 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:37am
That's how live is...

Gorgeous.
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post #132 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:47am
I am so glad Gilliam was a part of this show.
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post #133 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomas Mejor View Post
I am so glad Gilliam was a part of this show.
I blame the Sprawl II fuck-up on his curse, though.
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post #134 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:52am
Hey, the show was completed!
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post #135 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:55am
True, I was worried the band would get eaten by alligators before the show or something.
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post #136 of 207
8/6/10 at 4:08am
Just got back from the MSG show. Fucking epic, wonderful set, high energy. Everyone stayed on there feet for the entire 90 minutes.

Highlights: The power out/Rebellion transition, Win's balancing act and walking through the crowd during We Used To Wait, the drum fuckup during Sprawl II causing the band to start over; just a really great time, one of the best I've had in a long time.

I think after these two MSG shows, and the new album, AF can kiss their Indie status goodbye. The band is perfect for the large stage.

Spoon was shit, but that's not because of the band, but because of the dude on the mixing board turning up the mic to 12 while the instruments were on 5.
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post #137 of 207
8/6/10 at 8:43am
Now I'm really getting excited for the Atlanta show next week. I hope they keep Power Out/Rebellion in the set list.

As far as the album goes, I like it quite a bit. I have to echo the love for Suburbs II. The only thing that bothers me about the album is I find myself waiting for the band to really open up. It is so restrained. It is almost like a tease and while Suburbs II almost takes care of that it isn't quite a wide open song either.
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post #138 of 207
8/6/10 at 10:39am
I think you mean Sprawl II.

I can't wait to hear that one live, too, but I'm really looking forward to "We Used to Wait," which seems like it could really kill on stage.
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post #139 of 207
8/6/10 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Abed View Post
Dave, don't you own a record player? If I did, I would've bought the vinyl version in a heartbeat.
I might eventually, but that Amazon deal was too good to pass up for the time being. Plus, I don't own Funeral on vinyl yet, and that would be a higher priority.
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post #140 of 207
8/6/10 at 4:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt M View Post
I think you mean Sprawl II.

I can't wait to hear that one live, too, but I'm really looking forward to "We Used to Wait," which seems like it could really kill on stage.

Yeah, you are right. I typed that just before getting on a flight this morning and when fired up the album I realized I had messed up.
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post #141 of 207
8/6/10 at 4:43pm
Which video is the Power Out/Rebellion bit on?
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post #142 of 207
8/6/10 at 5:17pm
I'm seeing 3 vids... is the whole set archived?
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post #143 of 207
8/6/10 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Bean View Post
I'm seeing 3 vids... is the whole set archived?
Looks like you missed out if you didn't tune in live (or for the encore presentation afterward). Unless I'm interpreting things incorrectly, it looks like they've just got "Ready to Start," "Rococo," and "Empty Room" up now, along with the pre-show interviews.

The live feed was pretty rough going for me, possibly due to a not-so-ideal connection, but it was still totally worth watching. Their albums, good as they are, just don't compare to the live sound. And I'm not just saying that as a general statement about all bands, since it's not always true - I'm saying that about the Arcade Fire, in particular. I kind of wish they'd just go in a studio (or onstage for that matter) with some new material, record the whole damn thing live, and release it. Unlike Neon Bible and the Suburbs, it wouldn't be a grower, but a work with both immediate appeal and staying power.
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post #144 of 207
8/6/10 at 9:49pm
Well, that was a good show. I kinda liked the show I went better, but props for having Sprawl II as an encore.

Goddamn I love this band. The Suburbs keeps getting better as I listen to it.
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post #145 of 207
8/7/10 at 9:33pm
OK, Sprawl II reminds me of Goldfrapp and I can't really pin down why or what song. The Knight Rideresque guitar bit in We Used to Wait makes me grin when I hear it.
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post #146 of 207
8/8/10 at 1:29am
I got Keep the Car Running and Wake up as my encore with the Power Out/Rebellion as the first ending on Friday and it was a total blast!
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post #147 of 207
8/9/10 at 12:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB View Post
Looks like you missed out if you didn't tune in live (or for the encore presentation afterward). Unless I'm interpreting things incorrectly, it looks like they've just got "Ready to Start," "Rococo," and "Empty Room" up now, along with the pre-show interviews.

The live feed was pretty rough going for me, possibly due to a not-so-ideal connection, but it was still totally worth watching. Their albums, good as they are, just don't compare to the live sound. And I'm not just saying that as a general statement about all bands, since it's not always true - I'm saying that about the Arcade Fire, in particular. I kind of wish they'd just go in a studio (or onstage for that matter) with some new material, record the whole damn thing live, and release it. Unlike Neon Bible and the Suburbs, it wouldn't be a grower, but a work with both immediate appeal and staying power.
Crap.

And yeah I totally agree. Not every band is better live than on albums but Arcade Fire definitely fits into the category.
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post #148 of 207
8/10/10 at 1:39am
I'm enjoying it very much but not in the way I enjoyed Neon Bible, whose brilliance just hit me last week, so my perceptions are all over the place.

I’ve owned Neon Bible for a few months based on the praise the band received from many year-end lists (Funeral was out of stock) and I tried and I tried but could not get into it. Nearing the impending release date of the new album about a week ago, I gave it another shot and randomly started on track 4, “Intervention.” It was like those very rare moments when music becomes brilliant out of nowhere, similar to my first Radiohead experience. So, I decided to take it with me in my car. Again, I started at track 4 and drove through a harrowing monsoon here in the desert. The sky was orange and gray with flashes of lightning. Construction lights and random debris were flying aimlessly on the roads. I was at “Ocean of Noise” and it just felt so perfect.

Sorry for the dramatic flair to the story but it’s rare when a song or album can bring out stories of when they suddenly “hit” you as opposed to merely sitting at home or on your computer listening. I will eventually buy Funeral but am waiting for these two wonderful albums to sink in a little bit more.
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post #149 of 207
8/13/10 at 9:54am
Ok so I got tickets for the O2 show in London on 1st December.

Although i'm disappointed that now my fave band is playing super-arena's and fear that I will never again see them in a small intimate venue. Still psyched for the show.

Also if there are any UK fans who didnt get a ticket PM me. I accidentally bought 4 and only need two. The spare two tickets I have are upper tier row T though which is fairly near the back just FYI. I'll accept RRP.
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post #150 of 207
8/13/10 at 1:48pm
I don't see them totally abandoning small venues. Their brand of music is about perfect for 1000-5000 seat venues. It is nice that it translates reasonably well to bigger places as well.

We were at the show Wednesday night here in Atlanta. Set list was pretty much as described above. Great show. They sounded awesome and put on a great high energy show despite the heat.
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