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Arcade Fire announce "The Suburbs"

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So, I've only listened to this album fully through once, but I like it quite a lot!

Oh, and I also think it's more interesting than High Violet- which I found somewhat disappointing and lacking compared to The Nationals previous releases.
 
DanielPlainview said:
Terry Gilliam Directing Arcade Fire MSG Concert Streaming Live On YouTube

arcade_fire_gilliam.jpg


You can stream the concert live on YouTube at 10pm EST on August 5th.

FUCKING AWESOME.
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HOLY... This is incredible. Wow... Just... Wow.
 
The more I listen to this album the more I'm falling in love with it. I already knew it was really good, I just didn't quite grasp HOW good it was, until a couple listens in.

Firstly, a small disclaimer. I am the type of person who musically is in love with movements; with changes that create a large emotional response; the type of change in sound that will suddenly bring a tear to your eye, or something like that. I really feel that Arcade Fire in this case, have really achieved something wonderful, in that sense. Granted, this dedication and focus on "feeling" is what attracted me and so many others to Funeral, but here it's so subtle in so many places, and so much... stronger in others. In places it's very slight, yet still immensely touching (Modern Man) and in others it's sweeping and vast (Suburban War). So many of the songs emotionally resonate at a sonic level that I feel that if you're listening to strictly the lyrics that you're really almost missing the point.

However, even if you ARE listening to just the lyrics, there's still SO much to grasp onto and relate to, provided you're the type of person who has always felt out of place with the cities that you live in. If that's the case, the lyrics are absolutely brilliant at times. I personally emotionally resonate with almost every song on the album. Ready to Start reminds me of a woman who I loved who I wished I was good enough for, but I wasn't. Hopefully I will be in the future. Recently, I've been realizing that I'm Ready to Start trying to be good enough, after being lost for a long time. Suburban War absolutely destroys me EVERY SINGLE TIME at the 3:20 mark, when the entire song changes and Win starts borderline screaming in a heartbreaking manner, "Oh my old friends, they don't know me now. Oh my old friends, are staring through me now. Oh my old friends! They don't know me now! Oh my old friends, they don't know me noww!! Oh my old, friends, wait..." It literally gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME. I think the first time I heard it I literally teared up. Those are just two of the examples. The only song that I felt was pretty weak was Month of May, and that has grown on me. Not necessarily because of the actual musical arrangement behind it, but because of the lyrics.

This album is something that I relate to, as someone who has spent time just trying to figure himself out as a 25 year old male who has been forced to struggle with the vapid, selfish, fake nature of North American culture; aka, The Suburbs. This album is fucking brilliant, and it's one of my top three of the year, easily. Why am I surprised? Dunno. I shouldn't be. I really, really shouldn't be.
 
So, for those of you planning on snatching up a physical copy, which cover do you have your heart set on?

I'm almost certain I want this one.

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And you can find the artwork here if you still need to decide.
 
Dartastic said:
Suburban War absolutely destroys me EVERY SINGLE TIME at the 3:20 mark, when the entire song changes and Win starts borderline screaming in a heartbreaking manner, "Oh my old friends, they don't know me now. Oh my old friends, are staring through me now. Oh my old friends! They don't know me now! Oh my old friends, they don't know me noww!! Oh my old, friends, wait..." It literally gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME. I think the first time I heard it I literally teared up.
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Gives me Goosebumps every time.
 
yeah, this album keeps getting better with each listen. I'm looking forward to listening to the CD, because the vinyl rip is already better but a bit crackly.
 
I've only listened to this album all the way through once, but I can pretty much tell that it's going to be a grower.

That said, it's pretty obvious which tracks are weaker than others. Empty Room, Half Light 1, Wasted Hours, Deep Blue, and Sprawl don't really stand out as well as the other songs on the album. That might change, though. Heck, I didn't think The Suburbs as a song was that great at first, but it's one of my favorite tracks now.

But still, it says a lot about Arcade Fire when they were able to produce an album with 16 tracks with over half of them being good to great, with the others being at least debatable.

Additionally, even at its weakest points, I can't say I don't enjoy the album merely from a conceptual standpoint. I love the concept and theme that Arcade Fire went for, here.
 
Rash said:
That said, it's pretty obvious which tracks are weaker than others. Empty Room, Half Light 1, Wasted Hours, Deep Blue, and Sprawl don't really stand out as well as the other songs on the album. That might change, though. Heck, I didn't think The Suburbs as a song was that great at first, but it's one of my favorite tracks now.
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I just love how everyone has seemingly different ideas on what tracks are weak. Personally, I like all the tracks you mentioned. In fact, I love all the tracks you mentioned, and I'm sure that a lot of people love those tracks, while disliking some of the tracks you probably enjoy more.
 
The first half is growing on me. I remember noting earlier that the suburbs was one of my least favorite songs, and now it's easily one of my favorites.

Still don't like this album as much as their other records, but that's because "neon bible" and "funeral" have more of that "epic" sound that i love about the band, that feel is toned down in this record as some people have noted here.
 
God, I can tell that there's gonna be a lot of crow eating in this thread. This album is absolutely a "grower", but there are plenty of standout tracks even from the first listen that just grab you. It's an album that will absolutely have a personal effect on you the older you get. I've never really understood why people say the Arcade Fire appeals to a teenage mindset when teenagers can't wait to grow up, and they don't think about things like loss of innocence; not yet anyway. I can't really see them connecting with any of the thematic content in The Suburbs, which speaks more to someone in their mid 20's and up. I think a lot of the people who are marginalizing the simplicity or straightforwardness of the lyrics or music are just trying to have a dissenting opinion for the sake of it and not really letting it all settle in. I don't see it so much as a self conscious effort by the AF to be perceived as sincere, but rather as the output of people who have been affected by and continue to be haunted by loss.
 
The album too long? Nonsense..I've gotten to the point that I don't want it to end. An album THIS good come only a few times a decade. It's not gonna get much better then this for a long time.

Seriously guys, this may be one of my favorite records ever...I haven't been this obsessed about an album since Ok Computer.

It's that good..it's a fucking classic.
 
This album is definitely a grower. The first couple of times, I knew it was good. But didn't think it was near Funeral.

Tonight, driving across LA and listening to it, I realized it might actually be better than Funeral. It's hard for me to name a song I don't like. They all offer bits and pieces. The opening 6 songs are killer. the Half-Lights are haunting. The back end (Esp. the last four), are incredible pieces of song-writing.

Also of interest, on the vinyl, Suburban War is track 15 instead of track 9. I think I prefer that order, actually.
 
Good to hear it's a grower.

So far kinda. Meh on it.


But I was meh on Funeral and Neon Bible the first few times.

Some of the lyrics sound grumpy though.
 
I like Suburban War right where is was at track 9. It's only Track 15 on the Vinyl due to space. Something about Sprawl II as the closing track works better for me.

I have to agree that there are songs on Neon Bible that i skip, and songs on Funeral that i feel out wear their welcome, but I love every song on The Suburbs. The reason its hard to pick a standout, is because all the songs are really good.
 
Prefix rates it a 9.5/10, higher than both NB and Funeral:

It’s business as usual in Arcade Fire land after three years since releasing Neon Bible. It just so happens that business involves making albums that are among the most emotionally resonant -- and not to mention classic -- of the last half-century.
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Oh wow, the mood changed in this thread didn't it? I came in here to post that I'm not really digging the album but perhaps I should listen to it again...

I really like The Suburbs as a song and I understand exactly what they're going for with the feeling of the album but I still miss the balls of Funeral. I dunno, they don't feel like the band I fell in love with any more. It's not offensive but it's not inspiring me yet either. I'll give it a few more goes and come back later.
 
Haven't listened to anything yet besides the two songs from months ago, but the turnaround in this thread is half-amusing and half-annoying.

I totally understand the urge to inform the world of one's impressions ASAP, especially before the release of a much-anticipated album, but when people are eating crow hours after their previous negative impression, I wonder if there should be a moratorium on posting album impressions from the first listen. Let it sink in a little, people. There is no cash prize for being first.

/vent
 
Talon- said:
What's the bombast level of this album insofar?
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It's relatively low. A lot of the tracks are pretty moody and subdued. I really like it because it feels like the album is simmering, and the points where things become unhinged are in turn more striking. Tracks that have a level of bombast to them are... Rococo, Empty Room, We used to Wait, and... Well that's really about it I think.

I just finished another full listen through here at work. I... I'm going out on a limb here, but I just might end up agreeing with that Prefix review - better than Funeral and Neon Bible. The whole thing just flows so well from track to track. Leave it on repeat and it folds back upon itself like a moebius strip.

Edit: Joe: exactly, there needs to be a moratorium on reviews. I'd give it a week to settle in at least before voicing anything concrete.
 
Never been a huge fan of Arcade Fire, I've liked their stuff but not been very emotionally affected by their music.

After one listen to this album, they're my new favorite (active) band.

Blown away is an understatement.
 
Just listened to it for the first time. Good album, no song I actually disliked. No songs stuck out to me on the first listen though besides Suburban War.
 
quite a bit AF fan here, but this album just isn't grabbing me, it's like they tried to do a british sea power album or something. Maybe it'll grow as some here say, but so far it's doing the opposite. There are some good songs though.

Edit: favourite is Sprawl II. its a bit odd seeing such positive impressions on here, I have a lot of friends who are really into their music and no one has been nearly as positive as you guys....
 
Sprawl II is an incredible song, as are most of the songs after Month of May. Sprawl II reminds me of Time To Pretend, actually. Maybe that's why I like it so much :p
 
Why are people talking about crow eating? All I did was say I prefer The National to Arcade Fire at this stage of my life. :) I'm liking The Suburbs now, but still prefer High Violet at the moment.
 
Yep, Sprawl II just flat out steals the show. My album just shipped from Arcade Fire. THey didn't supply me with a code or anything to download the album, I suppose that comes with the actual disc? :/
 
Is the huge ass type on the back of all of them, or is it its own individual sleeve.
I really want all of them. Just because they're good design.
I'll choose the type one if it is by itself though.

Does anyone know where the physically disc(s)/record splits the album, or if it even does?
I want to listen to it with an intermission, and see if I view it any differently. :lol
 
There is a review on Metacritic that compares the album to an AMEX commercial and Riverdance.

Yeah, Riverdance.

I guess someones upset Wake Up being used by the NFL?
 
The album is quite disappointing, and almost impossible to listen to from beginning to end. I find myself listening to a few tracks, like the title track, Sprawl II, Half Light II, and Empty Room. Those aren't the only good tracks but they're pretty much the only ones that really impress me.

Maybe more listens will change things, but right now it's a rather forgettable album in 2010, which has had some great releases so far.
 
DanielPlainview said:
I've had this on non-stop repeat the last 4 days or so. I don't know if that's healthy. :lol
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Same here, it's so good.
My favorite tracks atm are: Rococo, Half Light I and II, Suburban War, Wasted Hours, We Used to Wait, and Sprawl I and II. So I'd say I really like most of the album. Sprawl II and Suburban War are probably my top two.
I think this album is tied with Funeral for my favorite Arcade Fire album. I think it's more re-listenable than Funeral is, but a little less fresh.
 
PhoenixDark said:
The album is quite disappointing, and almost impossible to listen to from beginning to end. I find myself listening to a few tracks, like the title track, Sprawl II, Half Light II, and Empty Room. Those aren't the only good tracks but they're pretty much the only ones that really impress me.

Maybe more listens will change things, but right now it's a rather forgettable album in 2010, which has had some great releases so far.
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Forgetable? This year has had some of the least memorable music ever..if anything this is one of the few that stand above the rest.

I'd give it a few more listens..and for god sakes don't skip any tracks...part of what makes this record so amazing is how the album flows from track to track..the sequencing is genius.
 
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