Arcade Fire
Rating: 
Album: Neon Bible
Out: 05/05/07
Canadian Francophiles just know how to write good music. A Silver Mt Zion, The Dears and Arcade Fire: seamless, skilful creators of epiphany-inducing noise. Maybe debut Funeral was a fluke, a one-trick pony that got even David Bowie salivating. But Ziggy needn’t worry - Neon Bible is an outstanding album that’ll easily keep us mortals enthralled after many listens.
The opening thudding piano beat and shimmering violins of ‘Black Mirror’ screams Arcade Fire. The production is airtight, whilst maintaining a warm rustic sensibility only achieved from recording on ole’ decrepit analogues in converted gothic churches - naturally. Indeed, the album does betray a fervent preacher-esque dynamism.
‘No Cars Go’ and ‘(Antichrist Television Blues)’ have a desperate oomph, rendering them instantly catchy and infinitely playable. ‘Oceans Of Noise’ shows a delicate side of the band, deviating from a mid-tempo waltz into a trumpet fanfare march: truly beautiful stuff. The only snag is its similarity to their debut; aggressively strummed guitars, snappy drums, accordions. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Arcade Fire are honing and perfecting their beautiful sound - urban yet pastoral, aggressive yet delicate. An album of bombastically biblical proportions.
