Listening To Some Brand New Arcade Fire

May 10, 2007

Arcade Fire “Neon Bible”

French Canada’s The Arcade Fire is a seven-piece rock orchestra whose second album, Neon Bible, was released in April of this year. By the way, did I mention that they were from Canada? Because for some reason, a lot of people feel the need to specify that The Arcade Fire are from Canada. Last.fm even describes their music as Canadian lol. Have a look-see:

 

After spending 545 pesos on this CD, I really desperately wanted to fucking like it. But it just fails. The opening track was weak, though it did pick up at the second song, Keep the Car Running, to which I thought to myself: “Man, The Arcade Fire can do no wrong!” Turns out, I was wrong. Four groan-worthy songs succeed Keep the Car Running, and they just started to sound like that crappy artsy fartsy band that people pretend to listen to so they could put them under their Favorite Music lists on Friendster and be all artsy and cool and shit.

The Arcade Fire "Keep the Car Running"

Thankfully, those four terrible songs are followed by four good ones, and the most noteworthy of this bunch would be (Antichrist Television Blues) which talks about God and mocking birds, I think. Other than a few good songs, the only thing that I could really commend Neon Bible on is its fantastic album art. It even comes in a snazzy slipcase. But at this point, all I can really say is that The Arcade Fire totally screwed themselves over with their poor track arrangement, because it would take a really patient man to listen through tracks 3 to 6 without putting a bullet in his head. Anyhuway, moving on to the good stuff.

 

Brand New “The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me”

Brand New is a New York-bred quartet whose debut effort, Your Favorite Weapon, is something that I personally don’t care much for, but I’m not selling it because I’m a dick. Their 2003 follow-up Deja Entendu, however, was a complete departure from their pop-punk roots, as it featured a more mature sound, which I can only describe as a three-way marriage between Brit Alternative, Indie, and Awesome Music In General. I will have you know that I get a major case of the precums whenever I plug the disc in for a spin. Three years later, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me picks up where Deja Entendu left off, with the band kicking things up a notch to create yet another remarkable CD.

From the get-go, I noticed that the track Jesus appeared to be the best, and potentially the most radio-friendly from the album. I never really cared for lyrics; I could sing along to tunes that advocate abortion and boy-love and I wouldn’t give a jabroni’s ballsack. As long as they make my head bob and my feet tap, I’m a happy man. And head-bobbing and feet-tapping are exactly what Jesus (the song) does for me. However, lyrically-speaking, I think that the band may face some backlash for the said song. Again, I never really cared for lyrics, but I think that the song talks about nailing Jesus (the Savior Dude) back on the cross or some shit; I’m not really sure.

Brand New "Jesus"

Other notable tracks would be the following: Degausser, in which vocalist Jesse Lacey actually quasi-raps towards the end, but pulls it off without him sounding ridiculous; Luca, which I think would make a certain dead grunge icon rise from the dead just to shoot himself in the face all over again for not having this song under his belt during his day; and The Archer’s Bows Have Broken and Not the Sun, two post-punk/new wave-inspired and borderline dancey tracks, the latter of which you can listen to below:

Brand New "Not the Sun"

Add two instrumental tracks, four delectable songs mirroring the music of their Long Island residence’s maturing post-hardcore scene, and in true Brand New fashion, an acoustic song to cap the disc off, and what we have is a musical gem. Honestly, the only word that I can use to describe the album is plain “beautiful.” And the only word you’ll probably be using to describe me from here on is “gaytastiriffic.” So, okay.

Verdicts

Arcade Fire’s paltry sophomore effort, Neon Bible, renders them a rating of One (1) Rick Moranis, and One Half (1/2) of a Celine Dion.

I give Brand New’s The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me Five (5) Patrick Ewings, and hereby nominate it for the title of “Ass-Kickingest Album of the Decade, But the Decade Isn’t Over Yet, But I’m Calling It Anyway, So Suck My Balls.”

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Note: Both albums are available locally for 545 buckeroos. They’re imported, hence the steep price. This also means that there are only a handful of copies floating around. I really recommend picking up the Brand New album.

Speaking of recommendations, why don’t you head out to our Music Recommendations Thread and make one of your own, hmn?