Quote :

"Does Arcade Fire have any more 'hard rock' type of songs or are they pretty similar to Sprawl II?"

Most of their songs aren't really that similar to Sprawl II. I would listen to some songs off of Funeral. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels), Neighborhood #3 (Power Out), Wake Up, and Rebellion (Lies) are probably good starting points.

2/25/2011 3:54:23 PM

EN VEVO

2/25/2011 3:57:31 PM

didn't read the thread

but the mp3 album is $5 on Amazon

2/25/2011 4:05:49 PM

I'm about to blow your mind Peter

2/25/2011 4:09:41 PM

fuck, i love this album. for me, it's on the same level as Funeral for me.

and i don't get the whiny vibe others are referring to on this. i get a more nostalgic feeling on most of the songs. maybe that's just me, though. that and i don't 100% listen to the lyrics as others have said

2/25/2011 5:36:52 PM

Quote :

"i don't get the whiny vibe others are referring to"

"whiny" is a popular criticism lobbed at many bands. I think it largely emerged in the late 90s/early 2000s when popular and semi-popular rock acts were dominated by bands who were either fronted by singers with shrill vocals or largely featured lyrics centered around tortured relationships or how parents just don't understand.

even though those type of acts aren't as prevalent, the knock of "whiny" persists. now, it generally applies to any person or group who isn't expressly masculine or is openly feminine. in short, its usually a stupid and inaccurate critique.

Arcade Fire doesn't sound like its members will kick somebody's ass, and they have no problem embracing a non-aggressive, female voice. therefore, they are whiny. to simpletons, at least.

2/25/2011 7:15:22 PM

First of all, I don't think a person can label a band as anything if they don't at least try to interpret the lyrics of the songs and understand the themes on the albums they produce.

I think lyrics like "They heard me singing and they told me to stop, quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock" is about how the band feels about critics responding to some of the whiny, self-important songs on Neon Bible. It is no secret that some critics and even fans of the band found the lyrics and song subjects on Neon Bible to be a bit too much in some cases.

I think the song Rococo is in some way a response to a critic in the New Yorker slamming the band http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/10/22/071022crmu_music_frerejones. He writes, "Do they play everything in the same end-of-the-world style?"

I dunno, I like to interpret song lyrics. I don't listen to as much music as some of you guys so I spend more time analyzing the albums I love. I've always gravitated towards aggressive music with whiny lyrics or complaint rock if you will, probably because I complain a lot. I don't think The Suburbs is all that whiny but it isn't finding anything good to say about anything.

2/26/2011 1:24:48 PM

^It is entirely inaccurate to say that Frere-Jones "slammed" the band in that article. He's simply observing and commenting on the role of race in contemporary music. He even says he isn't going to fault the band for what they lack, according to him.

BTW, that's a great article and Frere-Jones is probably my favorite music journalist ever.

2/26/2011 2:33:53 PM

Yes, I agree 100% that is what the article is about and it is a great article on the state of indie music. I don't expect everyone to read the whole thing. I do think the first part of the article tries to convey what I am saying. I am not going to sit here on a Saturday and link to articles that back what I am saying but you get my point.

Quote :

"Win Butler, writes lyrics that allude to big, potentially buzz-killing themes: guilt, rapture, death, redemption. And because, for the most part, he deals convincingly with these ideas, the band has been likened to older bands known for passion and gravitas, including the Clash."

[Edited on February 26, 2011 at 3:07 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on February 26, 2011 at 3:07 PM. Reason : i'm dumb]

2/26/2011 3:04:32 PM

^Yeah, I mean I get what you're saying, but to me, he goes out of his way to make it clear that he isn't slamming AF or anything, just pointing out how they, along with many, many other indie rock bands, lack the influence of black music. He even says that most of those bands aren't as "entertaining" as AF. The way I read it, his words about Wilco were much harsher than his words about Arcade Fire.

[Edited on February 26, 2011 at 3:19 PM. Reason : Also, BTW, I did just re-read the whole article, even on a Saturday ]

2/26/2011 3:18:28 PM

Quote :

" Does Arcade Fire have any more 'hard rock' type of songs or are they pretty similar to Sprawl II?"

"Sprawl II" is one of more out of place songs in their entire catalog --- by that, I mean, it caught me completely off guard coming from them.

But, if you're looking for "hard rock", you'll have to look elsewhere for your 3 chords and leather pants.

GROSS GENERALIZATIONS ITT

2/26/2011 11:51:36 PM

Quote :

"many other indie rock bands, lack the influence of black music. . . . The way I read it, his words about Wilco were much harsher than his words about Arcade Fire."

i guess this guy thinks country came out of the ether of america and european music? or that rock in general wasn't originally a rip-off of black blues (among other things)?

[Edited on February 27, 2011 at 12:30 PM. Reason : .]

2/27/2011 12:29:24 PM

^No, no, no, you're misunderstanding; he says exactly that (that rock and roll stole from black blues). Read the article. He's pointing out that "indie rock" has gotten away from that, as he puts it, miscegenation. He's arguing that indie rock is too white, thus the title of the article, "A Whiter Shade of Pale."

One of his main points is that bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and even The Clash, totally stole from black music.

But don't take it from me, take it from him; read the article, you won't regret it if you're at all interested in the role of race in contemporary music.

[Edited on February 27, 2011 at 1:48 PM. Reason : .]

2/27/2011 1:46:43 PM

What I can't stop thinking about is how The Suburbs presents a problem but no solution, maybe because there isn't one or the solution is too hard to define. To me, the album moarns the luster of the past being paved over by the fast paced present day. What are we supposed to do, move away from it all and become hermits so we can find the goodness again? Am I interpreting it wrong? I personally don't have much nostalgia for my past.

But I always think about how hard it would be growing up the way society is now. It wasn't easy for me back in the day, since I didn't even have cable or satellite. I was never into rap like all the popular kids in high school who watched the videos on MTV. It seems things are even more materialistic and with facebook around, geez. I read an interview with Win today and he definetly has that fear.

2/28/2011 5:26:24 PM

^I hope that's some weird Arcade Fire meme.

If not...what the fuck are you talking about?

2/28/2011 5:28:48 PM

Quote :

"What are we supposed to do, move away from it all and become hermits so we can find the goodness again?"

You're talking about a band that always dress anachronistically and use 14th century instruments. While they might not actively suggest that we go back to old ways in the interest of practicality, it's not far off to say they recommend the idea in the philosophy of their music.

2/28/2011 5:33:39 PM

Jesus christ -- it's called getting old. Happens to everyone, and we all become curmudgeons.


Let's not try to attribute profound thoughts where there aren't any.

2/28/2011 7:24:26 PM

The first time I listened to Arcade fire it really hit me and I liked it immediately. Suburbs, on the other hand, I did not care for at first. I think that is largely because I compared it to Arcade Fire and Neon Bible, looking for that same immediate feel. I put the CD away and didn't listen to it for over a year but now, after listening to it all the way through, I like the story feel to it and have pushed this to my all time favorites.

Its a damn good album, and I agree that the eerie feeling of nostalgia that it provides is entirely appropriate.

4/26/2011 9:34:54 AM

^ are you talking about the self-titled EP or about Funeral when you refer to the album 'Arcade Fire'?

I agree with your assessment of the Suburbs. When it leaked last summer, I listened to it on repeat for a week while practically living on my front-porch (my air conditioning was broken, and July in a brick house in South Carolina made it like an oven inside). This experience will forever be imprinted on my brain and connected with the mood of that album. it's my go-to Arcade Fire album, and really it's a go-to album in general. I have yet to get tired of listening to it front-to-back.

4/26/2011 11:01:00 AM

^^I'd like to know where/how you got The Suburbs over a year ago

4/26/2011 11:16:32 AM

It seems like AF is expanding The Suburbs with two additional songs:'Speaking In Tongues' and 'Culture War'.

Have these two been released or leaked?

4/26/2011 11:23:48 AM

Quote :

"Today Zane Lowe announced on BBC Radio 1 that the band will be releasing an expanded version of The Suburbs on June 27th. It will include: Two new songs: “Speaking in Tongues” and “Culture War” The Spike Jonze directed “The Suburbs” DVD A behind the scenes documentary The new songs will debut on the radio May 23rd."

Another site says the bundle will include a 76-page booklet, as well as an extended version of Wasted Hours (Sweet!). It appears that this will only be released on CD-- not vinyl

[Edited on April 26, 2011 at 11:32 AM. Reason : g]

4/26/2011 11:29:57 AM

i'm still confused by the vinyl sequencing

the CD sequence should easily fit on the four sides as it is

sprawl ii doesn't work nearly as well where it is on the vinyl

4/26/2011 11:46:26 AM

^ yeh, i'm really confused by it as well. dunno if it was a mistake, or if they were torn on the sequencing and decided to do the cd one way and the vinyl the other way

4/26/2011 11:54:15 AM

Link to streams of Speaking in Tongues and Culture War. Good stuff!

http://stereogum.com/711161/arcade-fire-speaking-in-tongues-culture-war/mp3s/

5/23/2011 6:33:34 PM

i really enjoyed this.

http://blog.muchmusic.com/watch-the-wedge-presents-arcade-fire/

6/15/2011 7:58:23 PM

New single leaked over the weekend and officially comes out today. It's pretty good. I'm more interested in hearing whatever the song is in this clip, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaGFl8B7Irk

9/9/2013 10:59:53 AM

Interactive video for "Reflektor" https://www.justareflektor.com/

9/9/2013 12:19:58 PM

playing the season premiere of SNL, too

IT'S ALL HAPPENING

9/9/2013 12:21:05 PM

Wow this made me way too excited.

9/9/2013 3:26:56 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo

9/9/2013 4:19:15 PM

Sounds like James Murphy's production is going to send them in an epic new direction where the new album will be a disco-y record that sounds like the logical extension of the best song from The Suburbs, Sprawl II. Loving it.

9/9/2013 6:17:59 PM

Damn, I'm still amp'd about this song. DAY 2.

9/10/2013 1:07:28 PM

single has been bought and album has been pre-ordered

9/10/2013 1:33:32 PM

Didn't even realize it was available for preorder.

9/10/2013 1:52:10 PM

Disc 1
1. Reflektor (7:33)
2. We Exist (5:44)
3. Flashbulb Eyes (2:42)
4. Here Comes the Night Time (6:30)
5. Normal Person (4:22)
6. You Already Know (3:59)
7. Joan of Arc (5:26)

Disc 2
1. Here Comes the Night Time II (2:52)
2. Awful Sound (Oh Erydice) (6:13)
3. It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus) (6:42)
4. Porno (6:02)
5. Afterlife (5:52)
6. Supersymmetry (11:16)

9/25/2013 2:51:36 PM

An 11 minute song... I can dig it

9/25/2013 5:26:05 PM

they are playing an after-SNL special on Saturday and it's airing on NBC

here is a picture of their setup:



FUCK

YES

9/26/2013 5:48:20 PM

that looks fucking awesome

9/26/2013 7:29:13 PM

Any idea how I could watch without cable / digital bunny ears?

9/26/2013 10:09:03 PM

First teaser for SNL:

"We love you Amy!"

"I love you too, Coldplay."

9/26/2013 10:14:10 PM

apparently they spilled the beans before Merge was able to put out a press release (of course Merge knew about it, just weren't planning on the band releasing the pic. it's also showing up on the guide)

9/26/2013 10:29:27 PM

also, looks like Win put on more baby weight than Regine

9/26/2013 11:26:24 PM

i have dish network.. and don't see anything about a concert following snl on nbc

9/28/2013 9:28:11 PM

It's at 2:02 am if you didn't bother going that far

[Edited on September 29, 2013 at 12:14 AM. Reason : On TWC that is.. Should be the same ]

9/29/2013 12:14:23 AM

Not really surprised, but that song didn't translate particularly well to live performance...

9/29/2013 12:16:55 AM

it will after a few more performances/with a better mix

9/29/2013 12:18:27 AM

Maybe, but Sprawl II has always been a little underwhelming live.

9/29/2013 12:45:27 AM

That mix had almost no stage left guitar and aux percussion, and it's a dance song. SNL mixing strikes again.

Hell, the delay pedal on a stand next to Win was higher in the mix than Regine and the stage left guitar.

9/29/2013 12:48:06 AM

That song sounded awesome.

9/29/2013 12:52:11 AM