I loved 'Funeral'. It was a new musical language that was warm, chaotic and exciting. And this time around that language seems even more sure-footed and confident. I had a debate with some AF fans that this sophomore effort is a more accomplished album than Funeral. They felt Neon Bible (while excellent) lacked the magic of the debut. I counter that Funeral's magic had more to do with the discovery of something fresh and unique...a ramped up perception conjured by the element of surprise. Neon Bible can't possibly live up to that as there is no mistaking that this is an Arcade Fire creation. This album treats fans to the familiar Arcade sound, but it's a brand new rollercoaster - with newly engineered flips and turns thrown in to really pile on the G's.
The album is also subtly political without getting preachy. The band is really down on religion, war, economics and global warming, yet it's the power of Win's lyrics and vocals (not the issues) that get to you.
I couldn't possibly trivialise this album with a song-by-song review. But for some reason on my first listen, I felt compelled to write a comment down for each song...a kind of word association game...but with tracks. Results below:
Black Mirror - Too much fun to be a nightmare
Keep the Car Running - Win's wail sails the blues
Neon Bible - Nursery Rhyme twisted into a playgorund taunt
Intervention - A hymn for here and now
Black Wave / Bad Vibrations - Orchestral indy's 'Dusk til Dawn'
Ocean of Noise - What it says on the tin (of refried Mexican lovebeans)
The Well and the Lighthouse - Punks on 1990 ecstacy
(Antichrist Television Blues)- Springsteen on slide guitar
Windowstill - It's getting dark out, best come inside
No Cars Go - Hey!
My Body Is a Cage - Bigger than Meatloaf
1 comment:
Yeah I love this record. But what's with comparing it to Bruce Springsteen? Surely it's This Is The Sea-era Waterboys?
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