Arcade Fire

[stip]

I like this album because I like the songs. Believe it or not!

I'm beginning to love this thing. Reflektor, Here Comes The Night Time, Normal Person, Joan Of Arc, Awful Sound, It's Never Over and Afterlife are all fantastic. The rest ranges from good to very good and some songs are still growing.

Normal person just annoyed me. After X number of albums I usually like to see people moving away from those sorts of lyrical themes.

Same question I asked about Intervention. Annoying solely because of the lyrics or also because of the music? Normal Person sounds just glorious to me from 2 minutes onwards especially the bridge sung be the girls and the ending after that.

I did not mean to imply that people can't like the songs, if that was directed at me. I think the nature of these songs makes it easier for someone who is going in thinking they are going to like them to like them. that's always the case to a point. I think given the nature of these songs that's more the case here.

I'm having trouble remembering the music to this one off hand. It probably have some parts I thought were really cool and some other stuff I wish wasn't there. But the lyrics (or lyrics plus vocal melody plus delivery plus voice, etc) were really the deal breaker in this one. He is unusually hamfisted at times for someone who can and does often write quite well.

[Mike]

I did not mean to imply that people can't like the songs, if that was directed at me. I think the nature of these songs makes it easier for someone who is going in thinking they are going to like them to like them. that's always the case to a point. I think given the nature of these songs that's more the case here.

oh no, that was meant for dime's "would we like this if it wasn't arcade fire" comment. I think I understand what you're saying. I did expect to like this whole album and gave it more chances to grow on me knowing I like Arcade Fire and this kind of music. That definitely made it a little easier for the songs as I was more open minded. Maybe I wouldn't have done that for a newcomer band when there album did not convince me the first time around. These songs grew on me without it being in any way forced, so that's cool.

I'm having trouble remembering the music to this one off hand. It probably have some parts I thought were really cool and some other stuff I wish wasn't there. But the lyrics (or lyrics plus vocal melody plus delivery plus voice, etc) were really the deal breaker in this one. He is unusually hamfisted at times for someone who can and does often write quite well.

Even I think some of his lines are a little strange sometimes even though I don't give too much thought to them.

[zeb]

This album makes me wanna dance.

[dimejinky99]

Ive Never said this before about this band. Ever.
And I don't have all day to read all the pages to date. Much as I'd like to.

It sounds like bad porno music. Intentionally. Another reason white people should leave black music well enough alone? Yep.

I can't warm up to it. If it makes you feel cool, go for it. I'm sure that's the aim in it. And it's aiming further than it can reach. We'll always have Suburbs.

Just seems like they were chasing a certain creative muse with this album. I don't think they're trying to make any grand gestures by doing so. That's just up to the media and the fanbase to decide. I don't think they'd even argue that it can sound a bit self indulgent. They seem to be a pretty humble band in their interviews. Very likeable guys. I'm just not a huge fan of this style of music. I'll keep listening though, they've earned it from me at least.

arcade fire strikes me as a band that only thinks in terms of gestures. I don't mean that in a bad way. I would say the same thing about bruce springsteen, u2, or pearl jam (although I wish they were more intentional about it)/

Agreed about the gestures. Can't seethe city for the monolithic monumental gestures.

But if there's a message here other than 'hey fuck you we're gonna enjoy ourselves and if you dont get it fuck you! but aren't we cool? And different?' Well..


That said


If they had made another 'arcade fire' record, it'd be game over in a big way.
So respect to them for indulging themselves and giving Williamsburg something else to aim for.

[stip]

I did not mean to imply that people can't like the songs, if that was directed at me. I think the nature of these songs makes it easier for someone who is going in thinking they are going to like them to like them. that's always the case to a point. I think given the nature of these songs that's more the case here.

oh no, that was meant for dime's "would we like this if it wasn't arcade fire" comment. I think I understand what you're saying. I did expect to like this whole album and gave it more chances to grow on me knowing I like Arcade Fire and this kind of music. That definitely made it a little easier for the songs as I was more open minded. Maybe I wouldn't have done that for a newcomer band when there album did not convince me the first time around. These songs grew on me without it being in any way forced, so that's cool.

I'm having trouble remembering the music to this one off hand. It probably have some parts I thought were really cool and some other stuff I wish wasn't there. But the lyrics (or lyrics plus vocal melody plus delivery plus voice, etc) were really the deal breaker in this one. He is unusually hamfisted at times for someone who can and does often write quite well.

Even I think some of his lines are a little strange sometimes even though I don't give too much thought to them.

The music in this one is all right. I like the cacophony at the end, and there are a few nice moments like that on the record. But it's not blowing my mind and hardly good enough to make up for the lyrics, which basically means I won't ever really like what he's singing. And the intro the song is horrendous.

[harmless]

Would we like RM if it wasn't RM?

[zeb]

It's Never Over is killing me these last 24 hours.

[spike]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle ... story.html

[Jorge]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/arcade-fires-reflektor-still-devoid-of-wit-subtlety-and-danger-now-with-bongos/2013/10/28/6471097a-4004-11e3-9c8b-e8deeb3c755b_story.html

Nice going, B

[spike]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/arcade-fires-reflektor-still-devoid-of-wit-subtlety-and-danger-now-with-bongos/2013/10/28/6471097a-4004-11e3-9c8b-e8deeb3c755b_story.html

Nice going, B

dude, the board is upside and backwards right now. cut me some slack.

[Jorge]

You are forgiven (you are forgiven)

[Norah]

guys, lets just remember that there's no such thing as a normal person and all move on with our day

I think you're cruel enough.

[Soma.]

Every time "We Exist" starts I am reminded of how taxing the bass line of "Billie Gene" is to play. Sheeit.

[stip]

we exist is another song that just gets destroyed by those stupid, stupid lyrics. I do like the bassline.

[stip]

It is kind of amazing to me how good the song Reflektor is compared to the rest of this album--how they got everything they were trying to do (or maybe just everything I wanted them to do) so right here but were so off the mark elsewhere.

[Soma.]

we exist is another song that just gets destroyed by those stupid, stupid lyrics. I do like the bassline.

Its legitimately difficult to play for 3+ minutes. Take my word for it.

[harmless]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

[stip]

what is? the bassline? I like the music in the song, but the hushed quality to it all draws a lot of attention to the lyrics, and I really really really don't like them.


starting my third listen through the album.

Reflektor should be 90 seconds shorter (it should end at about 5:30) but that's a great song

We exist would be a pretty good song with better lyrics. I like the motown music but not the song Win built around it.

I don't care for Flashbulb eye at all

I don't usually like steel drums and Caribbean influenced music, so Here comes the night time is right out.

There are parts of the music in normal person I like (after the ridiculous live intro bit), but the lyrics are another killer here. I said this earlier but I'm bored with Arcade Fire singing songs about how horrible it is to live in a world where not everyone loves Arcade Fire.


I like the music in You Already Known. For the most part I enjoy the song. I don't think it's great, but I enjoy it enough when it comes on.

In general I am not a fan of the lead guitar bits on this album, and think almost every song would be improved without them. that's definitely true on you already know.

[Soma.]

We exist would be a pretty good song with better lyrics. I like the motown music but not the song Win built around it.

You're so embarrassing. Seriously. Who fucking cares about the lyrics, you colossal dork.

[stip]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

Every time Win Butler hisses out 'but we exist' I want to roll my eyes. I liked it much better when Billy Corgan wrote about this when it was every song on Siamese Dream. This is just petulant crap. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this sentiment. There's not. But this is just hamfisted crap that I can't excuse for its earnestness since it is packaged in such a slick fashion.



Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist