Saturday 5 March 2011

Music: Arcade Fire

After all the "Who are they?" comments following their 2010 Album of the Year Grammy, I've decided to give an introduction to the Montreal-based band Arcade Fire.


The band, described as Indy but akin more to Stadium rock, consists of husband Win Butler (lead vocal/guitar), wife Regine Chassagne (drums, lead vocals, piano, odd instruments), brother Will Butler (everything) and a few other close friends. 

Known for being one of the best live acts around, Arcade Fire takes advantage of their numbers by employing a multitude of instruments and sounds throughout each of their songs, both in studio and live.


Funeral (2004)

Their major label debut, Funeral, was widely praised by critics, many citing Funeral as the best album of 2004 and 2005.

There first released single, "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", describes the aftermath of the infamous 98' Ice Storm that cover all of northeastern North America, in which cities were ripped apart, power lines knocked over, and in some cases injuries and deaths occurred. 


"Wake Up", probably one of their most well known songs to-date, namely because of its use in promotional advertising and movie scores, is what you would call a "show-stopper". With a thrilling sing-a-long chant, this song is the type of song that every artist dreams of writing.


"Rebellion (Lies)" cited as one of the best off Funeral, is expertly crafted from droning bass lines, pounding keys and a rolling drum beat to die for. Whats not to love?




Neon Bible (2006)

After their explosion into the mainstream through Funeral, the band used their next project, Neon Bible, to explore new musical territory, with new instruments, new song styles, and a new perspective on life.

However, that doesn't mean that the band abandoned their signature bass lines, big band sound and addicting melodies, as can be seen in their hit single "No Cars Go".




The Suburbs (2010)

After a two-year hiatus, the band hit back hard with the release of The Suburbs, aptly called due to its thematic fixation on youth. Though not the first album in which Arcade Fire chose an overall them, The Suburbs is by far the most successful in that regard.

I therefore present you with my two favorite songs on the album - the first being the ever-droning "Empty Room".


Finally, I present "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)", one of the many beautiful songs that include of Regine as lead vocalist. This was one of the first songs on the album I really got into, and I was very happy when they chose to release it as a single - something I didn't think would happen. 


Well, thanks for sticking with me here, I know getting to known new bands can sometimes be a tedious adventure. So, did anyone know about Arcade Fire previous to the Grammy win? If you have one, what is your favorite song by them? Thanks again! 

37 comments:

  1. funural legendary album. my fav neighborhood #1

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  2. i FKKIN LOVE arcade fire. funeral was awesome

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  3. They llok like such a great band l;ive, but I'm not really into the new album =(. Funeral and neon bible were the tops.

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  4. I have never heard of any of these. Thanks for showing it to me ;-)

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  5. I'm one of those guys who knew about Arcade Fire before they were as big as they are now. Always loved these guys. It's nice to see them get the recognition the deserve.

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  6. thanks for showing me these guys

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  7. I rememeber how heavy-handed Pitchfork were in their assertions of just how much influence they had on breaking the Arcade Fire to the masses. Pfft. Anyway, that first album was great back when it came out, i recall the 2nd being mostly decent. The third i've yet to listen to, but what i've heard doesn't interest me greatly. Seems a lot of their usual sturm-und-drang, guitar heavy, "us against the world" preaching. Bit of a shambolic marching band feel they got going on as well.

    Nonetheless, i'll look into it :)

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  8. i love them, this is music!

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  9. Oh man I love Arcade fire! I might cover one of thoose on my blog tomorrow!

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  10. great band, thanks for sharing

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  11. i've always been a bit in the middle with arcade fire. i'd like to hear their the suburbs one of these days though.

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  12. Nice post aha. I've never heard of Arcade Fire before the Grammy's either o_O Good stuff to know, followed!

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  13. To be honest, I've never actually listened to Arcade Fire.

    They arent bad though

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  14. great songs! thanks for the share!

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  15. I never knew about them until I heard 'Wake Up' on the trailer for Where the Wild Things Are, I've loved them ever since.

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  16. These guys are great, I'm really crazy about the Funeral album.

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  17. i discovered them a few weeks ago too, wake up is now one of my favorite songs ever

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  18. Rebellion (Lies) reminds me of the indie nightclub back in my heady student days.
    Good stuff.

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  19. arcade fire has some nice songs. not exactly something i prefer listening to though..

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  20. When they won the award I had no idea why or who they were. Then I listened to their music, questions answered lol

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  21. :o awesome songs +followed! :) check my blog http://amboredfun.blogspot.com/

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  22. I saw them some years ago...great live!!

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  23. Arcade fire Makes me proud to be Canadian. Awesome band, I hope more people discover them through your blog

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  24. sounds really good thanks for the recommendation. followed :)

    If you're into electronic music, check out my set I just released today!
    Electric Addict Set #3

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