The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

The Suburbs (Arcade Fire)

A record that truly defines musical geniuses ‘Arcade fire'.

Album Rating: **** ½   (4.5 /5)

           
                 (Bring the cursor to this picture to watch several artworks for the album)

A Band releasing their first album called “Funeral”, talk about being serious. The debut album by Arcade Fire was perhaps the best debut album in past 20-25 years and it still continues to be the very best that they have released. Yet, the new record (their third after “Neon Bible”) is best defined example of “Art Rock” and is certainly the best album to come out this year.

“The Suburbs” open with rather uncharacteristic, simple ‘indie-rock’ song called umm.. well.. ‘The Suburbs’ but what follows immediately afterwards is nothing short of an Arcade Fire masterpiece “Ready To Start”. The song shows immense urgency in Win Butler’s (lead singer) voice with finely crafted guitar distortions and drums.  Just after a few listens to this record ‘Ready To Start’ will surely become a permanent selection in your playlist. “Modern Man” gives us a sense of Butler song writing capabilities as he describes the situation and plight of a typical guy-next-door. This album perfectly succeeds in bringing nostalgia in every listeners mind with songs like “Half Light I” and “Deep Blue”.

Another mere perfect song in this album is “Suburban War” which starts with a catchy riff and continues on until it reaches the extreme level much to the delight of the listener, the last one and half minute of this song is the best moment of this record. DON’T MISS IT.  (“Music divides us into tribes, Choose your side I’ll choose my side” declares Win Butler). “We Used To Wait” continues with the general flow of the album which begins to end with Butler’s wife singing ABBA-type (but with better lyrics) “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” before finally ending the album with the beginning lines itself “Sometimes I can’t believe I am moving past the feeling again”.  

So, Why is the record not perfect?? Well, Two songs prevent it from being so… “Empty Room” and “Month of May” break the majestic flow and increases the entire length of the album to more than an hour. But this is not a ‘major’ drawback in any way whatsoever.

“The Suburbs” is nothing short of an indie-rock classic and shouldn’t be missed for the world. If not understood once, be patient give it few more tries and you would understand what “Arcade Fire” have created is surely a masterpiece. 

Key Songs:  Ready To Start, Suburban War, City With No Children.

Track Listing:

				Title	Composer	Time
		1		The Suburbs	Arcade Fire	5:15
		2		Ready to Start	Arcade Fire	4:15
		3		Modern Man	Arcade Fire	4:39
		4		Rococo	Arcade Fire	3:56
		5		Empty Room	Arcade Fire	2:51
		6		City with No Children	Arcade Fire	3:11
		7		Half Light I	Arcade Fire	4:13
		8		Half Light II (No Celebration)	Arcade Fire	4:27
		9		Suburban War	Arcade Fire	4:45
		10		Month of May	Arcade Fire	3:50
		11		Wasted Hours	Arcade Fire	3:20
		12		Deep Blue	Arcade Fire	4:28
		13		We Used to Wait	Arcade Fire	5:01
		14		Sprawl I (Flatland)	Arcade Fire	2:54
		15		Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)	Arcade Fire	5:25
		16		The Suburbs	Arcade Fire	1:27