KRCX Album Spotlight
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Kevin O'Brien
Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: Spotlight
Over the past few years, liberals in the United States have looked up north in envy at a seemingly utopian land, Canada. Gay Marriage, a younger drinking age, and legalized marijuana, no influence of the religious right, universal health care, and a non imperialistic foreign policy: all these things have made Canada look pretty nice to liberals over the past five years.
During this time, music hipsters in the U.S. have also looked up north longingly. Between Modest Mouse albums and before Clap Your Hands, Canada built up quite a reputation for indie music in 2004-2005. Now one of the most heralded Canadian act since Rush, Arcade Fire, returns from a breakout in 2004 with Neon Bible.
Neon Bible opens with a slow rising thunder in "Black Mirror." Featuring the trademark vocals of front man Win Butler, the song has a haunting quality that gives way to a key crashing chorus. The next song, the standout "Keep the Car Running," sets the standard for the rest of the album. O
pening with ringing string sections, which leads to a steady snare beat, a frenzy of mandolin and guitars, and an ensemble chorus, "Keep the Car Running" is the "Rebellion Lies" of Neon Bible.
On Neon Bible, Arcade Fire manages to accomplish a feat that few bands south of the border manage to do: being able to follow up a breakout debut with an equally comparable album that doesn't try too hard, but at the same time remains fresh.
Through Neon Bible, Arcade Fire doesn't just reinvent the wheel, they ride on the same heat that brought them acclaim in 2004. And they make it seem so easy, making you wonder why other bands can't do the same. But then again when you live in a utopia, everything seems a little easier.
During this time, music hipsters in the U.S. have also looked up north longingly. Between Modest Mouse albums and before Clap Your Hands, Canada built up quite a reputation for indie music in 2004-2005. Now one of the most heralded Canadian act since Rush, Arcade Fire, returns from a breakout in 2004 with Neon Bible.
Neon Bible opens with a slow rising thunder in "Black Mirror." Featuring the trademark vocals of front man Win Butler, the song has a haunting quality that gives way to a key crashing chorus. The next song, the standout "Keep the Car Running," sets the standard for the rest of the album. O
pening with ringing string sections, which leads to a steady snare beat, a frenzy of mandolin and guitars, and an ensemble chorus, "Keep the Car Running" is the "Rebellion Lies" of Neon Bible.
On Neon Bible, Arcade Fire manages to accomplish a feat that few bands south of the border manage to do: being able to follow up a breakout debut with an equally comparable album that doesn't try too hard, but at the same time remains fresh.
Through Neon Bible, Arcade Fire doesn't just reinvent the wheel, they ride on the same heat that brought them acclaim in 2004. And they make it seem so easy, making you wonder why other bands can't do the same. But then again when you live in a utopia, everything seems a little easier.
Be the first to comment on this story