So you're probably aware that Montreal-based indie-rock behemoths Arcade Fire have a new album out. It's called Neon Bible and to say its eagerly anticipated would be something of an understatement. I had intended to write a full review of the album, but in the end my crushing lack of enthusiasm for it defeated me. Here are some phrases that would have appeared in my review: "slathered in orchestration", "plodding, graceless opener", "faintly ridiculous", "Unremarkable blues shuffle", "Downright embarassing lyrics", I think you get idea. If you go to Neon Bible's Metacritic page, you'll see that it's garnered almost universal acclaim. I'm afraid i just don't buy it, this is a fundamentally uninspired, lifeless album, with a very few bright spots and a lot of unremarkable filler. The clue for this distinct lack of spark comes on the track "(Antichrist Televison Blues)", the lyrics of which apparently concern Joe Simpson, sinister svengali pa of Ashley and Jessica. Now previously i wouldn't have pegged Win Butler for a "Newlyweds" fan, but when on the next song he gloomily intones "MTV what have you done to me?" suddenly the the lack of inspiration evident on Neon Bible makes perfect sense. We've all been there - You start the day with big plans, like y'know finding a job, or following up your critically acclaimed debut album. But a little TV first won't hurt will it? Then before you know it it's dark outside, and you realize you've been staring at a "Viva La Bam" marathon in slack-jawed torpor for the last six hours.In the end the only song on the album that captures the anthemic abandon of the Arcade Fire of old is, uh, an old Arcade Fire song. Yep, the best song on Neon Bible is a re-recording of "No Cars Go" a four year old track from their debut EP. And if that isn't a damning indictment, i don't know what is. Next time Win, turn off that episode of "Room Raiders" you've already seen a hundred times and write some songs.
Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
3 comments:
well the track i posted is all you need to hear really. It's not that bad i suppose, just extremely uninspired next to the debut. I bet they still kick ass live though, we just missed out on tickets for their gig here. Me, bitter?
Snuck a look at this before ya published it Conor, fairly much crystalised what I couldn't pin down. And prejudiced my listenings there after! What happened to those acclaimed euphoric endings? Some awful clunker lines a bit too often as well. Liked your MTV theory too - Win up in the loft of his newly purchased church moronicaly staring at My Sweet Sixteen for nights on end with deadlines fast approaching. Ya cruel bastard. Brilliant.
Kudos on the writing yet again mon ami, I didnt mention that first time round.
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