Arcade Fire's style of anthemic rock is hard to ignore. It's nearly always accompanied by a driving pulse that gives it great urgency. It's not to everybody's taste. Win Butler's voice is grating at first listen but in time, his pleading should convert any listener. It's only when Regine Chassigne takes over singing duties that their Albums descend into squawking mediocrity. She's a poor man's Bjork.
Their first album, Funeral was written around the time of a number of deaths amongst the group's immediate family. It's never a sombre listen though. It's a clever, almost melodramatic record. It could very easily have succumbed to whimsy but the fact that the group lacks a sense of humour saves it. There's very little irony on Funeral. Very little cynicism. It's refreshing. The production is lovely.
Neon Bible can't compare with Funeral's freshness but it's a satisfactory follow-up all the same. Tracks like 'Intervention' and 'Keep the Car Running' are suitably huge stadium fillers but the rest of the tracks sound weary.
It remains to be seen whether the group can ever top their magnificent beginnings.
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