Red Mosquito

liebzz wrote:WE

There’s a lot to unpack on this one. Thematically, this is a giant sweeping record that deals with a societal collapse, how we feel about it inside, collectively, and what we can then do about it, being The Lightning’s sweeping calls or a renewed focus and attention on those things that matter most individually in our small family circles. A grandiose statement from a grandiose band.

On a sonic level, Arcade Fire seem to want to split the difference between their early orchestral days and their more recent focus on danceability and I think they hit that mark incredibly well. Add to that a sort of glazed over ominous element, most striking on End of the Empire, but I think it serves as connective tissue for the whole album - an almost Pink Floyd level commitment to atmosphere while having the sweeping ambition of the E Street Band.

Long story short, love this album, which I think with further listens will stack up with their best.

Also it might be cheesy, but Unconditional (Lookout Kid) hit me like a ton of bricks. Tailor made for us forty somethings watching and guiding our children into unknown futures. Damn.

Ms Harmless wrote:

liebzz wrote:WE

There’s a lot to unpack on this one. Thematically, this is a giant sweeping record that deals with a societal collapse, how we feel about it inside, collectively, and what we can then do about it, being The Lightning’s sweeping calls or a renewed focus and attention on those things that matter most individually in our small family circles. A grandiose statement from a grandiose band.

On a sonic level, Arcade Fire seem to want to split the difference between their early orchestral days and their more recent focus on danceability and I think they hit that mark incredibly well. Add to that a sort of glazed over ominous element, most striking on End of the Empire, but I think it serves as connective tissue for the whole album - an almost Pink Floyd level commitment to atmosphere while having the sweeping ambition of the E Street Band.

Long story short, love this album, which I think with further listens will stack up with their best.

Also it might be cheesy, but Unconditional (Lookout Kid) hit me like a ton of bricks. Tailor made for us forty somethings watching and guiding our children into unknown futures. Damn.

great write-up! I don't know if this is better than any of those first three albums, but it's definitely up there and takes away the slightly bittersweet taste of the last two (which I liked fine, but I'm not hugely emotionally attached to)

liebzz wrote:

Ms Harmless wrote:

liebzz wrote:WE

There’s a lot to unpack on this one. Thematically, this is a giant sweeping record that deals with a societal collapse, how we feel about it inside, collectively, and what we can then do about it, being The Lightning’s sweeping calls or a renewed focus and attention on those things that matter most individually in our small family circles. A grandiose statement from a grandiose band.

On a sonic level, Arcade Fire seem to want to split the difference between their early orchestral days and their more recent focus on danceability and I think they hit that mark incredibly well. Add to that a sort of glazed over ominous element, most striking on End of the Empire, but I think it serves as connective tissue for the whole album - an almost Pink Floyd level commitment to atmosphere while having the sweeping ambition of the E Street Band.

Long story short, love this album, which I think with further listens will stack up with their best.

Also it might be cheesy, but Unconditional (Lookout Kid) hit me like a ton of bricks. Tailor made for us forty somethings watching and guiding our children into unknown futures. Damn.

great write-up! I don't know if this is better than any of those first three albums, but it's definitely up there and takes away the slightly bittersweet taste of the last two (which I liked fine, but I'm not hugely emotionally attached to)

I think over time this one will sound much better. I have never been emotionally invested in Arcade Fire like a lot of people, but I really appreciate their approach, even if it can be a bit much for me sometimes. This strikes an amazing balance. I mean it takes a very big Arcade Fire-like swing, but I think it’s more concise running time makes that swing more accessible and packs a bigger punch…and btw, I completely agree that Race and Religion and Lookout Kid should have switched places, especially coming off that Empire/Lightning combo - it I think placing Race and Religion as the lead up to the emotional impact of Lookout Kid would have been better sequencing before landing the plane with We. Outside of that though, my notes are basically this is excellent.

tree_ wrote:I decided to go ahead and listen on my work computer speakers.. loving it

i read a funny review by The Atlantic calling it "cringeworthy" .. some of these critics are so sad

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/arc ... ew/629773/

tree_ wrote:I mean I get why someone would think they are cringeworthy.. that's kind of their thing.. but they're just entirely missing the point of arcade fire

liebzz wrote:

tree_ wrote:I mean I get why someone would think they are cringeworthy.. that's kind of their thing.. but they're just entirely missing the point of arcade fire

I’m starting to feel like this is going toward Arcade Fire being the Fleetwood Mac of the 21st Century. We could chew on that for a few pages.