Every year there are one or two bands that I really get into. Not just happily introduced to or discovered, but more to the point of becoming quite fanatical about them, thrusting burned cds into strangers hands unsolicited and attempting to decipher the meaning of ambiguous lyrics long into the night. Past artists be on this prestigious list (at least to anyone who holds my opinion prestigious - I'm raising my hand) include Subtle, Calexico, Elliott Smith, Wilco, Radiohead, Bob Dylan and my first pop music obsession, The Beatles. This year, that band is Arcade Fire.
I didn't receive the band very warmly when their first album, Funeral was released. I remember hearing a track or two on public radio and feeling, just, well I guess not feel
ing would be the way to describe it. I can't tell you exactly why, just not the right time and situation, I suppose (though some of it had to do with the massive hype surrounding the release, I'm always wary of the Pitchfork effect in the indie rock world). However, I gave the band another go-round this spring when they released their second full-length, the inspiring, splendid Neon Bible and I was blown away. This has happened to me before (giving a band or album a second listen months or years down the line). It is actually quite cool - like discovering meaning after-the-fact, through events already trudged through (and hoped by the experiencer to never revisit).
Well, I've been enjoying a nice honeymoon with husband-wife duo/band founders Win Butler & Regine Chassagne and the rest of the Canadian crew for the past six months, absorbing all the demo
s and b-sides I could get my ears on. The band has a great reputation live, and this weekend they appear on the best music television show America has to offer, PBS's Austin City Limits. Here in Utah it airs on KUED-7 at midnight (technically Sunday morning) and the episode looks to be a hoot. You can check out "Keep The Car Running" on the show's website, complete with hurdy-gurdy. I've got my DVR set.
Below are some of my favorite Arcade Fire songs. I think what draws me to the band most is the ability for the music to sound like a downright celebration while the lyrics often reflect unease, uncertainty and cynicism.
It's kind of like life - at least as viewed through my eyes - a helluva a lot of suffering and doubt adorned by beauty and warmth beyond description.
Download the entire Arcade Fire playlist
or, individually:
Wake Up (from Funeral)
Keep The Car Running (from Neon Bible)
My Body is a Cage (from Neon Bible)
Surf City Eastern Bloc (from "No Cars Go" single)
Crown of Love (from Funeral)
(Antichrist Television Blues) (from Neon Bible)
Headlights Look Like Diamonds (from Arcade Fire EP)
Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover) (from some 2007 Coachella sampler)
In The Attic (from the band's 2001 demos)
I didn't receive the band very warmly when their first album, Funeral was released. I remember hearing a track or two on public radio and feeling, just, well I guess not feel
ing would be the way to describe it. I can't tell you exactly why, just not the right time and situation, I suppose (though some of it had to do with the massive hype surrounding the release, I'm always wary of the Pitchfork effect in the indie rock world). However, I gave the band another go-round this spring when they released their second full-length, the inspiring, splendid Neon Bible and I was blown away. This has happened to me before (giving a band or album a second listen months or years down the line). It is actually quite cool - like discovering meaning after-the-fact, through events already trudged through (and hoped by the experiencer to never revisit).Well, I've been enjoying a nice honeymoon with husband-wife duo/band founders Win Butler & Regine Chassagne and the rest of the Canadian crew for the past six months, absorbing all the demo
s and b-sides I could get my ears on. The band has a great reputation live, and this weekend they appear on the best music television show America has to offer, PBS's Austin City Limits. Here in Utah it airs on KUED-7 at midnight (technically Sunday morning) and the episode looks to be a hoot. You can check out "Keep The Car Running" on the show's website, complete with hurdy-gurdy. I've got my DVR set.Below are some of my favorite Arcade Fire songs. I think what draws me to the band most is the ability for the music to sound like a downright celebration while the lyrics often reflect unease, uncertainty and cynicism.
It's kind of like life - at least as viewed through my eyes - a helluva a lot of suffering and doubt adorned by beauty and warmth beyond description.
Download the entire Arcade Fire playlist
or, individually:
Wake Up (from Funeral)
Keep The Car Running (from Neon Bible)
My Body is a Cage (from Neon Bible)
Surf City Eastern Bloc (from "No Cars Go" single)
Crown of Love (from Funeral)
(Antichrist Television Blues) (from Neon Bible)
Headlights Look Like Diamonds (from Arcade Fire EP)
Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover) (from some 2007 Coachella sampler)
In The Attic (from the band's 2001 demos)
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