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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
How do the Arcade Fire follow-up not just one of the best debut albums ever, but possibly also one of the best indie albums of all time? Well, Neon Bible is a good place to start. After the success of Funeral, expectations were high for a follow up. But really, how could any band be expected to repeat that level of achievement twice in a row? And who can fault a band for setting their own standards so high? If there's one criticism of Neon Bible (named after author John Kennedy Toole's first novel), it's that it's not Funeral. But any other band would consider Neon Bible a towering achievement, for the simple reason that it is. "Keep the Car Running" displays all of the trademarks of the Arcade Fire's best work, building to a crescendo by adding layers and layers of synths to a deceptively simple tune. "Intervention", meanwhile, is easily the biggest-sounding song they've yet recorded, exploding with pipe organ over strummed guitars, strings and a choir. Occasionally, lead singer Win Butler risks being lost behind all of this noise, particularly as his voice has lost some of the strained intensity that made Funeral so affecting (and in fact, on "(Antichrist Television Blues)" he even sounds a bit like 80's-era Springsteen). But there's no denying that Neon Bible is a stellar album, from a band worth discovering. --Ted Kord
Review
It's an appropriate title; this album should convert the unbelievers. Meanwhile the 'Neon' part could be the Montreal-based band's own smart self-reference, because the neon stamp of the 1980s is all over this.
Before things get temporal though, it's worth clocking (hoho) the other themes that permeate this haunting, yet simultaneously uplifting, record.
The church is impossible to avoid and is often starkly juxtaposed with labour. On ''Intervention Frontman'' Win Butler sings about 'working for the church while your family dies' and on ''Building Downtown (Antichrist Television Blues)'' he claims to be 'a good Christian man' before stressing the importance of getting paid while actual church organs blare away. They're back again on morbid LP closer, ''My Body Is A Cage''.
Modern living is addressed with lines that provoke and occasionally amuse throughout. On ''Windowsill'' there is a knowing 'MTV/ what have you done to me?' - perhaps mocking those who mistakenly believe image to be more important than actual songs, or maybe just a dig at TV-rotted youth. Or how about ''Black Mirrors'' 'Shot by security camera/ you can watch your own image', suggesting the CCTV surveillance we all take for granted? None of these lines are overt in meaning but this music ain't about answers handed to you on a plate.
Which brings us back to the 80s. This album will remind all those long enough in the tooth or iTunes account of Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, Kate Bush and Echo and The Bunnymen.
''Keep The Car Running'' is the greatest tune 'Heads front-weirdo, David Byrne, never sang on and sounds as huge as new galaxies exploding into life. Springsteen is evoked on the noughties blue-collar anthem of ''Antichrist!'', arguably the album highlight and the Echo influence is most keenly felt on opener ''Black Mirror'', which is driven by the most menacing piano riff and string section heard in pop in recent memory. Elsewhere ''Black Wave'''s jerky synths and unsteady beats recall the enigmatic Ms Bush to thrilling effect.
Some will doubtless complain that, like it's predecessor, it's a bit too serious for its own good or that it does too much with its endless array of mandolins, galloping drums, organs, strings and synths. But these are quibbles. Neon Bible is a staggering album that only the staunchest sonic agnostic could live without. Praise be. --Lou Thomas
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Everyone reviewing this album seems to have to choose either the can't-beat-Funeral-EVER or wow-WAY-better-than-Funeral approach. To me they are two different records, and you should appreciate them both in their own way! This one is certainly bigger, darker and slightly more experienced, and if that's what you like buy it RIGHT NOW. The gradually building layers of different instruments are just beautiful, and I keep finding random bits of lyrics swimming agreeably round in my head (MTV, what have you done to me? Save my soul, set me free!...). Every single song is my favourite. They are all fantastic little masterpieces.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
'Funeral' was an exceptional album, one that for lesser bands might have also immediately signed a death warrant for any subsequent outings. Thankfully, Arcade Fire are not a lesser band. 'Neon Bible' is an album just as wonderfully rich and textured as the debut that preceded it. 'Keep the Car Running' and 'No Cars Go' perfectly bookend the album, both wonderfully intricate, uplifting anthems that suffer none of the banal simplicity that usually comes with such a tag. There is more orchestration here, a facet that only fails on a couple of minor occasions, but the trio of 'Neon Bible', 'Intervention' and 'Black Wave' are simply fantastic, the latter two proving equal to, if not better than, the majority of the tracks on 'Funeral'. The Arcade Fire are one of only a few truly original and interesting bands around at the moment. If you didn't manage to catch their debut, then by god you need to make sure that this follow-up doesn't pass you by.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Once again, Arcade Fire entertain with a panoply of sound that is as diverse as it is complete. They show themselves as adroit at creating a sound that reveals anthems in their songs yet breaks down to eclectic simplicity in sections. There are gems of gorgeous riffs on Neon Bible that emerge from the very large scale sound that Arcade Fire are able to produce.
There is progression from Funeral but whereas I didn't feel I wanted to part too far from the formula of that album, having enjoyed it so much, the change is enough to feel the distance while retaining their uniqueness and character.
I may have listened to an advance copy but I will help their chart position by buying the album from an appropriate source. Record company executives take note: where the music is of a quality worth buying, people will do so. This definitely comes into that category of worth buying.
There is progression from Funeral but whereas I didn't feel I wanted to part too far from the formula of that album, having enjoyed it so much, the change is enough to feel the distance while retaining their uniqueness and character.
I may have listened to an advance copy but I will help their chart position by buying the album from an appropriate source. Record company executives take note: where the music is of a quality worth buying, people will do so. This definitely comes into that category of worth buying.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
superb music
For me this is the best Arcade Fire album to date - and I love Funeral and The Suburbs too. There is quite a dark feel throughout with lyrics conveying a sense of impending threat,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by markr
DON'T PLAY SIDE 4 (FOR VINYL JUNKIES ONLY)
There isn't any thing to say about this album just to say that if you liked the singles then you will like this as it's much the same as them. Great.
Published 12 months ago by Stephen
Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
I can't say I had ever heard a track by Arcade Fire until they used 'My Body is a Cage' on the TV series 'House'. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Angela Bowers
come back to the suburbs
I love the arcade fire. Funeral is great and the new record, 'the suburbs' is fantastic and I can't stop listening to it. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Omnibus Biscuit
Pure Delight
The Arcade Fire are one of the most exciting bands in the curent musical panorama. Sounds are harmonic, lyrics are deep and most of all they seem genuine. Great band, great album!
Published 18 months ago by Artur Gon?alves
It stands out of the crowd!
I love Arcade fire.....They brought a new wave in the music industry. This album is so emotional. I can't say anything else.... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lena Mac
disappointing
I disagree with the majority of reviewers here in saying this is a poor, over-the-top and uninspired follow up to a breathtaking debut. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2010 by Simon Griffiths
Neon Bible By Arcade Fire
Just disappointing is all I can say.
Not as good as Funeral by them. Not as crafted.
Not as good as Funeral by them. Not as crafted.
Published on 29 Oct 2009 by R. M. Wightman
Good album of austere Goth rock
They specialise in austere humourless music. Which is fine and can be very entertaining. After all, Joy Division were never known to make fun music, but a lot of people can... Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by BS on parade
My Neon Bible.
I bought this album on the strength of some reviews I had read in the music magazines at the time of release, although I admit I must have been living in a cave for some time as I... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2008 by Guitar Heroine
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