Music - The Suburbs
Taking a break from writing intense, psychological drivel and decided to write about something taking up an equal amount of my attention - the newest album from Arcade Fire, entitled The Suburbs.
I have history with Arcade Fire. Their first album, Funeral, was my soundtrack during the two weeks I was in Seattle training for a new job at Starbucks. Not quite adjusted to Pacific standard time, I would wake up full of energy at 5am and go to the little gym at my hotel. Funeral filled my ears as I pedaled to nowhere on the stationary bike.
Arcade Fire is one of those bands that you can focus on or not, depending on your level of appreciation at the moment. They can serve easily as haunting, melodic background music - perfect for driving, writing, or anything else that does not require attention - and will keep perfect company. If you're in the mood to listen, however, they have much to say. Husband/wife team Win Butler and Regine Chassagne take turns leading compositions concerning death, family and religion with whimsical and yet sober concision.
Suburbs is their much-awaited third album. It has been three years since the release of their second album, Neon Bible. NB demonstrated a harsher side of Arcade Fire, more in style than in structure. Suburbs is a return to the whimsy of Funeral, but it is much more than that. It appears, at first listen, to be Arcade Fire's maturation from indie rock kids singing about selfish relationships and individuality to concerns of the future and progress. Win sings of children, asking God for a daughter, "but if it's too much to ask, send me a son." As with all Arcade Fire albums, the lyrics may not stand out at first, blending seamlessly as additional instruments with the tapestry of the melody - but phrases begin to emerge as one listens a second, third listen - perhaps each time the album is played. These indie kids from Montreal always have something to teach.
And now...back to the grind.
I have history with Arcade Fire. Their first album, Funeral, was my soundtrack during the two weeks I was in Seattle training for a new job at Starbucks. Not quite adjusted to Pacific standard time, I would wake up full of energy at 5am and go to the little gym at my hotel. Funeral filled my ears as I pedaled to nowhere on the stationary bike.
Arcade Fire is one of those bands that you can focus on or not, depending on your level of appreciation at the moment. They can serve easily as haunting, melodic background music - perfect for driving, writing, or anything else that does not require attention - and will keep perfect company. If you're in the mood to listen, however, they have much to say. Husband/wife team Win Butler and Regine Chassagne take turns leading compositions concerning death, family and religion with whimsical and yet sober concision.
Suburbs is their much-awaited third album. It has been three years since the release of their second album, Neon Bible. NB demonstrated a harsher side of Arcade Fire, more in style than in structure. Suburbs is a return to the whimsy of Funeral, but it is much more than that. It appears, at first listen, to be Arcade Fire's maturation from indie rock kids singing about selfish relationships and individuality to concerns of the future and progress. Win sings of children, asking God for a daughter, "but if it's too much to ask, send me a son." As with all Arcade Fire albums, the lyrics may not stand out at first, blending seamlessly as additional instruments with the tapestry of the melody - but phrases begin to emerge as one listens a second, third listen - perhaps each time the album is played. These indie kids from Montreal always have something to teach.
And now...back to the grind.