Neon Bible
Faith has always been a thematic touchstone for Arcade Fire (frontman Win Butler even took religious studies at college in Montreal) but the twin American pillars of religion and commercialism come to the fore on this second album. Recorded in a converted church, *Neon Bible* thrums with urgent boot-stompers (“Keep the Car Running”), and jittery, organ-drenched hymnals (“Intervention”). But, somehow, it still manages to meld its baleful worldview with tricksy, irresistible melodies.
The Arcade Fire's follow-up to 2004's Funeral looks and sounds like an elaborate riddle. The oblique lyrics are overwhelmingly ominous; the murky liner notes—with their flip-book images of a young girl on stage and costumed synchronized swimmers in inky water—look like production stills from a David Lynch film; and…
May the congregation be seated. The service is about to resume. Pay attention. It’s fantastic.
When Montreal's Arcade Fire released Funeral in 2004, it received the kind of critical and commercial acclaim that most bands spend their entire careers trying to attain.
Arcade Fire's follow-up to Funeral is an album filled with tension, verve, and ingenuity that heralds their return in brilliant style.
At last a new scripture has been written, and it’s something our new saviours Arcade Fire subconsciously and unwittingly implore us to have faith in.
<p>Make no mistake, writes <strong>Paul Mardles</strong>, greatness is within the grasp of the startling Canadian art rock septet.</p>
<p>(Sonovox) Armageddon is just around the corner, according to Arcade Fire. But if it sounds as dazzling as this, bring it on, says Alexis Petridis.</p>