Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

amazing

Great album. Was not into it right away, but then again I could not get into Funeral right away either. February 8, 2008

melodramatic hogwash

Funeral was an infectious album fueled by youthful angst and unbridled enthusiasm where nearly every track proved anthemic. The choruses were rousing and the percussion monsterous. Though the lyrics left something to be desired, it was difficult not to get caught up in the group's enthusiasm, especially with their killer live show. Critics unanimously hailed the album as one of the best of the year -- quite a feat for a debut album.

So of course Neon Bible has a lot to live up to.

I wasn't expecting them to top Funeral, and really, Arcade Fire don't attempt to with Neon Bible. This album goes in a pretty different direction. Sort of a goth-rock indie hybrid, Arcade Fire go for a darker sound with Neon Bible and come off melodramatic. They sacrifice the personal for the political in the songwriting, which would be fine if they had the lyrical chops for it, but sadly they fall far short. Instead of the youthful intensity of their debut, most of the tracks on this album intend to be moody and introspective, but just lack content. There are exceptions: namely, "Keep the Car Running", which is just as good as anything off Funeral, "Intervention", with its driving organ part making up for the silly lyrics, and "No Cars Go", despite that it sounded better on their debut EP.
Arcade Fire had good intentions with Neon Bible, but I think they bit off more than they could chew with this album, and the product comes off as pretentious. I can see it pleasing a lot of younger fans, but those with more mature musical taste will probably detect the poor songwriting. And even with those who like it, I doubt it will have the staying power as Funeral. "My Body is a Cage" is a strong contender for worst track of the year...
I hope with their next album Arcade Fire tone down the melodrama and theatrics and focus on writing solid rock songs. December 30, 2007

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY...

One day before I embark to go see Canada's incredible Arcade Fire in concert, I ask myself: Why rate this album lower than Five Stars? What you get with their sophomore effort is not a sophomore slump at all. You get music that somehow, someway, speaks to you when you close your eyes late at night, when you awaken early in the morning, when you're off doing your own thing in this vast world. A world in which most music nowadays, especially rock music, is full of the same boring stuff that gets recycled over and over. I've read a couple of one to three star reviews here and I will have to disagree with all of them. Yeah, yeah, everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but when you're not open minded and can care less about genuine, solid music, you will just not understand a band like the Arcade Fire. This is a different kind of band, a band that will open your mind to music that is rare in these modern times. So close your eyes and be ready to be transported elsewhere and have your breath taken away. September 19, 2007

Disappointing

I actually purchased this cd after watching "Sunday Morning on CBS". The band I saw on the show was entertaining and eccletic. I found the cd to be filled with talent, but it lacked the interesting energy I anticipated. July 3, 2007

Another Brilliant Album

Happy to say that Neon Bible is just as satisfying as Funeral. In other words, this will be the album of the year for most discerning rock fans.
It is unusual for a new band to follow up on such an excellent debut without the old sophomore dip.
Neon Bible lacks some of the intense moments of Funeral but makes this up in consistency.
Everyone us right about the silly packaging: flimsy, indulgent and wasteful - nothing like being irritated before you manage to get to the disk. June 7, 2007

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