So I've put off a but from posts in general, but also a review of the new Arcade Fire album. Part of that is because I plan to write about the album in full for the next month's PineBuzz, but I thought talking about it by covering the live YouTube Madison Square Garden show would be a good way to start.

So, after 15 minutes of a Terry Gilliam's black and white mini music documentary, the band came on. It was pretty exciting--these live YouTube shows are pretty sweet as it is, but it was cool that it had an intro, it was like watching the Oscars. Except better. Because it's Arcade Fire.

And after the first couple songs, it's safe to say that first of all, these guys are crazy, in such a brilliant way, but if you've ever seen a live video of them, you already knew that. The other thing that's quite obvious is that they are amazing in concert. When a YouTube concert is good, the real thing must be incredible.

Of course, that's been said about Arcade Fire for a long time. There was that whole thing about them running into the middle of crowds to start off a show, singing into megaphones (yeah, that happened on La Blogotheque, check it out, video #41).

What's unique about this is that it's simultaneously awesome and a little distressing. Three or four years ago, who ever thought you'd be able to watch full concerts live online as they happen, with DVD quality production? And if they happened, who thought it would be a band as awesome as Arcade Fire? But at the same time, it raises the question: is the same thing going to happen to AF that happened to the Kings Of Leon--that they get "too big?"

There's something to be said for weariness of that latter point. I mean, I'm not kidding about the Kings of Leon. They said it themselves. But after a first listen of this new album, I don't think it's the case with Arcade Fire. They took some time of and let this album take its time to develop. And it was worth it.

As for the concert, well, that's just a bonus to the whole thing. If you missed it, I'll bet you it will show up somewhere later. If I come across it perhaps I'll follow up on this post.

Either way, point is, the new Arcade Fire album is worth a listen.

Comments

fwm2 2 years, 9 months ago

I agree with you 100 percent about the live YouTube stuff Jack.

I do want to go on record now as saying "The Suburbs," (aka: the new Arcade Fire (AF) album,) is actually much more than just worth a listen....It is the best album I have heard all year, and certainly the group's most mature and accessible effort to date.

And that is saying plenty, especially considering both Funeral (2004) and Neon Bible (2207) were superb albums, that each sold quite well, while also garnering considerably high critical acclaim (across the board)

The thing about AF that really does it for me, is their albums are all conceptual...which is almost a rarity in this day and age where the market is driven so much by THE SINGLE.

As a result, the band's albums produce an ethereal effect that is best described as truly transcendent in nature. This excitation is most potently achieved by listening to Arcade Fire's albums, as they were truly intended to be heard -- That way, naturally, being from start (beginning) to finish (end).

I also dig the fact that AF are hesitant to classify (label) themselves; although it is clear they do want to shed some of those indie-rock rags...

IMHO Arcade Fire is on the precipice of reaching that rarefied air reserved for the likes of U2, radiohead and The Killers, as one of the truly elite touring bands in the world....

***one side note: I feel confident that The Strokes fourth studio album (slated to drop sometime this fall) will cement them as rock luminaries once and for all

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