Funeral
Arcade Fire’s fiery, rhythmically complex rock burns at full-beam, straight out of the gate. Make no mistake, the Montreal collective\'s debut deals in weighty themes (take “Haiti”, the rootsy, shuffling tribute to core member Régine Chassagne’s politically volatile childhood home). But—from the stirring swell of “Wake Up” to the twitchy anguish of “Neighbourhood #3” (Power Out)”—frontman Win Butler marshals a kind of choral defiance, tracking down life-affirming light in the darkest spaces.
Fronted by the husband-and-wife team of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, the Arcade Fire's emotional debut -- rendered even more poignant by the dedications to recently departed family members contained in its liner notes -- is brave, empowering, and dusted with something that many of the indie rock genre's more contrived acts desperately lack: an element of real danger.
For Arcade Fire, though, the happy ending is just close enough to touch…Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.
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Arcade Fire coalesced in Montreal, Quebec, and recorded their debut album Funeral during one of that city's arduous winters.
Arcade Fire - Funeral review: David Bowie's favorite band debuts with some excellently crafted tracks and produce a solid, emotional, and at times brilliant album.