The Arcade Fire - Funeral

The driving force behind Montreal's alternative band Arcade Fire is the husband and wife duo, Win Butler and Québécoise Régine Chassagne. After David Bowie reportedly discovered the band while on tour, Arcade Fire soon released its internet-driven debut album, Funeral, in 2004. It immediately drew the world's attention with five hit singles (the best of which are the four-part "Neighborhood" and the song "Wake Up"), and resulted in collaborations with Bowie (who performed with the band in Central Park) and U2 (who covered Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" with the band in concert). The album features a rich tapestry of guitars, drums and bass, with flourishes of piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, keyboard, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy, harp and mandolin. Funeral is arguably better that Arcade Fire's sophomore effort, Neon Bible. Funeral tracks include:

1. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) 4:48
2. Neighborhood #2 (Laika) 3:32
3. Une Annee Sans Lumiere 3:41
4. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) 5:12
5. Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) 4:49
6. Crown of Love 4:42
7. Wake Up 5:35
8. Haiti 4:07
9. Rebellion (Lies) 5:10
10. In the Backseat 6:20

G. Merritt

It's tough to say anything about this record that hasn't already been said in a hundred other reviews. Nonetheless, it never hurts to try. On their debut LP Funeral, Arcade Fire sound fresh, invigorated, and confident. The band stylistically apes a number of great classic artists, not to mention some much more modern ones. Their style of pairing upbeat melodies with dark, brooding lyrics is taken directly from contemporaries Of Montreal, who have been writing quirky, downtrodden pop songs for years. What sets Arcade Fire apart from many indie bands doing a similar sort of thing, such as the Besnard Lakes, is their taste for production and songwriting, which really can't be matched by their direct competitors. The songs are lively and passionate, though often enough they stray and overstay their welcome. Seven out of ten tracks on this record clock in near or over five minutes when many of them would have been tighter and more enjoyable at four.

Songs such as opener "Tunnels" and track three "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" have bright and creative instrumentation, though Arcade Fire is hardly the first band to get so creative in their use of older 'uncool' instruments. The Decemberists have been using things like glockenspiel and lap steel since their first EP. At the end of the day, Funeral is a spry and enjoyable debut, but like many good things, it gets a little more credit than it is due, resulting in the polarization of rabid fans and detractors, leaving little room for casual fans to have any say about the band. Funeral is a great record, but it isn't life-changing or future-forging the way many critics say, but songs like "Power Out" will leave little doubt as to whether or not this album is worth the dough.

Didn't like it too much at first but it grows on you after 2 weeks.. i think my mind couldn't categorize the music maybe?? it's all i listen to when i work out now.. 8 of the songs are great.. 2 are ok.. Track 2 is incredible.. read the words on the lyric sheet on that one and you will be cracking up.. crazy crazy sometimes but some songs are very touching and personal.. cool CD - the neighbors must think i'm nuts with how i blast it in the garage every sunday.. that's ok.. if the neighbors don't like it "THEY CAN DANCE IN THE POLICE DISCO LIGHTS!" (SEE TRACK 2).. get this it is nuts and emotional and sometimes slow but GOOD !!!

no one has a better ear for new bands then mac and laura from Merge, and no one from Canada has such an original inpact on my indie rock music than tne Arcade fire.

*Review From A Classic Rock Fan
I found this album to be very repetitive. Maybe not in the song structures or lyrics, but in the sound. I have listened to this five times now and I still have not found an amazing song that really sticks out among the rest. The upside to this however is that there is not a bad note, making this album just OK. It is the album's sound that has probably made it so popular, because then there is not much room for criticism. However, that is why I like there next album so much more, because it is so much more diverse, and something that I would recommend well before this one.

I ordered this cd back in January 08 out of curiosity--had read great reviews of both this and Neon Bible but had hever actually heard anything by them. I honestly was blown away. This is the best cd on the whole that I have ever heard. The packaging actually came with 2 cd's so I gave the extra one to my sister and told her I heard they were good. Two days later she emails me to tell me it was her new favorite cd. My only regret was that I caught on to them too late to catch them on tour for Neon Bible (which I immediately bought and is also 5 stars). I just received the debut EP and can't wait to get to know it. If you're on the fence about these guys or just curious, do yourself a favor and order something by them. They are incredible.

I am a recent fan of AF and started with Neon Bible. This debut album reminds of the feeling of pure raw driven energy I heard in the first efforts by The Cure, U2, Cranberries and Talking Heads. This is not to say AF's sound is similar to those bands but that I heard unique genuine compositions coming from the heart with potential for greatness. Those other bands went on to more polished sophisticated and popular work but the early stuff containing the seeds of success has an unadulterated feel that cannot be matched. My favorites are Wake up, Haiti, Rebellion. Even after weeks of repeated listening I'm still overcome when Regine begins "Haiti, mon pays ..."

The Arcade Fire in a strange way became the sort of "go to" band for anyone craving anything indie. While other bands have had success, more talk and discussion were placed on this band to the point I was worried they were becoming a victim of overexposure; the band to "save us from the awfulness of rock" as it were. While there is a bit of overhyped feelings, it's hard not to see how good it felt to not see a band bogged down by MOR-ready sounds. Sounding unique yet strangely familiar, reminscent of other bands without ripping them off, Funeral is a good example of a debut album of a band confident right out of the gate.

The album starts with probably my favorite album opener in years, "Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)". Being part 1 of 4 parts, this starts out with a more steady beat and vocalist Win Butler's impassioned singing, the song seems to almost crescendo and build for the whole thing. Even though I can't sing, I can't help but sing the falsettos at the end and rock out. It's too bad part 2, called "Laika" followed it since it's a strong track with its harmonic-tinged guitar, and what sounds like a accordian or a musette, it's certainly unique and catchy but again, too bad Tunnels was played first.

Then of course we come to probably the most well-known track, part 3 entitled "Power Out" which is just energetic and propulsive. It may not be catchy in an radio sense and even on first listen, I didn't care much for it but it grew quite quickly. The last part, entitled "7 Kettles" is an acoustic track with some percussion thrown in and it almost feels like a pub song by way of a Celtic beat (though I might be off on that).

"Wake Up" is just as energetic as "Power Out" with big choir-esque parts and a catchy main riff, it's another album highlight and became a live favorite. Then we come down to "Rebellion (Lies)" which continues the sound of having a steady beat and the song building as it progresses. My one complaint is the "liiees, liiies" hook during the chorus; I don't mind the hook, just the vocal used but still, it's quite a catchy song and could see why it was a single. The closer has co-vocalist and Butler's wife Regine Chassagne taking over the vocals. It still has the big guitar riffs, pianos, strings and whatnot but it's not as epic sounding has something like Tunnels or Wake Up which kind of helps with the album's title and subject matter. Not my favorite track but a decent closer.

The Arcade Fire is quickly becoming one of the more promising bands to me and if they keep it up, they can also be one of the new millennium's best. Hopefully they don't burn out too quickly though.

Having seen the band live with U2 back in 2005, I knew they were good. I have been adding their cd's to my collection ever since. This is their best one. "Arcade of Fire" is fantastic & is the song that kicked off the U2 concerts in most cities!

There once was a man called Isaac Brock he put his boat down in the dock his very best friends were in for a shock....and then he. Oh sorry I'm drambling again that delicous dream ramble. This long player is genuinely overated, not at all bad but not that great either. If you don't believe me listen to the last track (the one about taking out the back seat and driving your grandma around from the back seat looking like the cool b*****d that we are) and tell me it doesn't have more emotion than the rest of the album put together? hah what was that? darkfathers cat (rattler age 2) got ya tounge? The saddest thing is that the track shows the band's potential when they decide not to plod but I thought Indie in all forms was supposed to be dangerous or inspiring. Sonic Youth lolling through Starpower or Fugazi ripping through Public witness program. Don't expect that raw emotion here but don't expect bad music here either, or so David says anyway.

I understand some people just don't "get" the Arcade Fire, and that's OK (maybe they will one day). There is something very powerful & emotive about the lead vocalist akin to say, Jack White's type of howling. However, unlike the White Stripes, Arcade Fire have an amazing about of music going on besides the bluesy, heartfelt lyrics and often it's done in a surprising way.
Almost what 3 or 4 years after this debut album was released and I still go back to several key songs over and over. I'm always interested in what this band is doing and I hope they keep progressing into new territory.

I have only had this record for a few months, but I can already say that it is one of the best cds I have heard so far this decade, and Arcade Fire is easily my find of 2007.

This band seems to throw everything at you, including the kitchen sink. They have managed to create a very unique sound, not to mention using a wide array of instrumentation. Aside from the usual guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards, they utilize instruments such as the cello, French Horn, xylophone, violin, mandolin, and many others.

Getting to the record in question, "Funeral"..."Wake Up" is probably their most well-known song to date, and it is a keeper, but almost every song on this record is a winner, my favorites being "Rebellion (Lies)," "Une Annee Sans Lumiere," "Haiti," and "Crown of Love." The only song I find to be less than stellar is "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)." It isn't a bad song by any means, but the quality of every other song is just so high, that it feels like a bit of a letdown. Still, in the context of the album, it works.

In short, this cd comes highly recommended by me.

I came to "Funeral" via a wonderful festival live appearance and the grandeur of "Neon Bible", but this is where it really all began: Merge, a brave indie music label took on this rather grand but inexperienced group from Montreal and made an album which included such obscur titles as "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels"). While the group has gained in stature and especially confidence since and their sound has become both more amplified and grander on "Neon Bible, "Funeral" is a tremendous first album with most of the signature sound themes already present, with the rhythmic build up and the anthemic style. A great starting point.

If you like this album, I would also recommend that you try music from another Montreal band called Les Cowboys Fringants. They have a similar Quebec folk music base that is meshed into great indie rock like Arcade. The only drawback is that they sing in Quebecois (French), so I don't understand a lick of what they're saying. Also, Amazon charges for their CD's like they are imports (how hard is it to get something from Canada to the US?!?!), so I'd try and find some cheaper MP3 downloads, but well worth the money.

Funeral has some anthemic moments that sound great on the first play, but most songs need several spins to really be appreciated. I saw them play on Austin City Limits a few weeks back, and live they're amazing. You can hear what all the critical fuss is about, but I think a large part of the bands reputation is based on their live sets?

This album is so overrated, and more frustrating is the fact that the only great song on here is greatly overlooked ("Tunnels"). I will go so far as to say that these guys will never inspire me again, because any time the first song on your first major album is the only good song on the record, chances are you don't have anything more to offer. U2 must be trying to act hip by playing Arcade Fire before their live shows.

I kept hearing the hype and gave it a spin. I didn't get it. So, I gave it another and another. I even went to see them live so that maybe I would "get it." Nope. They have some really good songs, and are good live performers, but they are just a really really OK indie band. I'm a huge fan of Neutral Milk Hotel, Decemberists, Shins all of whom they've been compared to. But this is just not greatness. Pitchfork has created a monster.

I rarely give a 5 star review to an album. Actuallly only 8 others have been granted such a rating (The Beatles-Abby Road, Bob Dylan-Bloodon the tracks, Radiohead-OK Computer, Van Morrison-Astral Weeks, Rolling Stones-exile On Main St., Television-Marquee Moon, Bruce springsteen-Born to run, Talking Heads-Remain In Light).

Musically it's fantastic, but what truely makes this the best is not just the amazing lyrics, but the power behind the band that's delivering them.

I've seen this band 3 times in concert, and everytime has been a life changing experience.

Most memorable track "Rebelian Lies"

Some people seem to be turned off in a big way by Win Butler's voice. Other bands around these days make me nauseous for the same reason even when their music is OK, the prime example being Modest Mouse, who I can't bloody tolerate for more than two seconds after "friends" insist on playing it. They, the Shins, and all the rest of their sorry bunch make up the new category of "Not-Rock". --Anyhow, for some reason it never occured to me that Butler's voice is in the same camp of the whiny/girly/limpwrist vocal style so sadly prevalent on the radio nowadays.

Therefore I write this simply to announce that Arcade Fire is the best band in the world right now and that's really all that needs to be said.

This is a simple case of an over-hyped record. It is not stunningly innovative or original, nor does it provide much in the way of emotional depth. It does possess some pretty cool qualities, but is also consistently hampered by numerous irksome ones.

The weakest link here is the singer. His voice sounds unattractive and annoyingly choked, like some spastic, sweaty adolescent who just got caught touching himself in the bathroom. He leaves me cold; I don't get any genuine feeling from him, just unintelligible energy. This unintelligibility, along with his irksome, affected warbly-ness, prevents him from conveying emotions with any real sincerity or depth.

The music fares better, but proves monotonous by the end. There are some genuinely nice moments, like the melodically pretty, low-key "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" (probably the best song), and the attractive, new wavey harmonic strumming in "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)." "Haiti" is also a nice song, if a bit too repetitive. "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" sounded strangely familiar to me, and on the 2nd listen I realized that the chord progression totally cops the Pixies.

Many of the arrangements are quite nice, featuring strings, accordion, organ, and various forms of melodic percussion. At times it hints at the exotic or the baroque. But too often the band buries its best traits by devolving into pumping bombast. Rather than find a well-crafted resolution to a particular section or verse, they instead crank up the volume and start bashing away at some cliche arena-ready riff that could've been churned out by anyone with hands and a guitar.

So, while I've really tried to like his album, while I've tried hard to focus on the numerous good traits, the abundant negative aspects prove difficult to overlook (especially that singer's awful voice!). I can understand why this might appeal to a lot of people, but I fail to understand the "saviors of rock" tag the critics have bestowed on them.

This is wonderful...If you have not heard it.. stop going without....

This is a thoroughly unclassifiable album. It's a bombastic composition that REALLY REALLY works, and never FEELS like it's over the top, even though it really is over the top. It's TOTALLY over the top, and sometimes sounds like that the band members are singing and playing at the edge of their control, even though they're not. It's wild, unpredictable, and sometimes drifting over that cliff for a moment before wandering back...which simply adds to the experience.

How good is this album? When you're listening you wish it would never end, except that you NEED it to end so you can get off the roller coaster ride it takes you on, and get back to the real world.

Chamber music? Sing-along? A eulogy? Oooh-oooh-oooh's? Pounding drums?

Growling guitars & bass juxtaposed with violins and french horns that drift from beautiful harmony to uncomfortable discord and back again?

A night at the symphony? Rock anthems? An album about death that's not actually sad? Massive tempo changes? SCREAMED, not sung, lyrics, here and there? Lyrics that surprise you when you figure out the point? A lead singer who sounds like he might be on the verge of tears one minute and might end up smashing his mic stand through a bass drum the next???

Yes, all of the above.

Think, "what if the Beatles had put out Abbey Road as their first album?" (what if you set the bar so high you can't ever get there again?)

Does it rock? Yes, quite a bit.

Does it make you think? Yes, quite a bit.

Does it rip your heart out and stomp all over it, and then put it back while it's still beating? Yes, it does that too...all while you're stomping your foot or pounding the steering wheel. You get the feeling that with every listen, you'll pick up something new. This album is so sonically deep and sumptuous that it would be hard to not hear something new on each listen, unless of course you're just singing along with it, which you might very well be.

(and to think that everyone says that they're even better live)

The hallmark of a great album is that it gets better upon each listen. Give it FIVE spins. If you don't like it, just get rid of it because you'll never like it. If you like it, you'll probably love it.

If you can listen to Regine's impassioned and imperfect wails above the violins and horns during "In the Backseat," and not FEEL anything, forget it. Otherwise, enjoy.

This is a 2004 record that I got in early 2007 but it is still relevant today and will continue to remain relevant as long as people die! Yes, this is because "Funeral" is almost bound to make you cry and seems quite helpful in helping you get over a loved ones passing. It also features one of my new 'all time favourite' songs, the garguantan, "Wake Up". This album is for any true musick fan. It features now as one of my favourtie albums ever!

I found this album a few years after the fact but I'm glad I found it when I did. It's a great soundtrack for anyone who isn't blind to the negative energy generated by everyday life -- for anyone who feels lost, confused, but not completely hopeless. Tunnels is the most euphoric song I've heard recently, Power Out rages with intensity, and Wake Up might just be the most emotionally-stirring song I've ever heard. Even the slow songs are captivating. Never a dull moment on this one!

Basically I agree with all of the other positive reviews on here. Arcade Fire have to be heard to be believed, and if you get the chance to see them live... DO IT!

Funeral is a good album. The first word of the second song is my name, and I like that. The music is fun and hefty-sounding, but all in all, if you have to get one Arcade Fire album, go with Neon Bible.

Like some strange mixture of Neil Young, Roy Orbison, Bruce Springsteen, and The Killers. The music is pretty simple, but its basis of combining unused orchestral instruments such as the harp, and adding accordion, steady drums, and some strings... mash this all up with guitar and you've got a something that really shouldn't be - something that works. This music is a little more straightforward than say Sufjan Stevens. But like that genius, Arcade Fire assembles just a wonderful album out of disparaging elements.

Many of the songs on 'Funeral' have an elegant, almost archaic feel that's truly beatiful to absorb. 'Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels),' 'une annee sans lumiere,' 'Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)' and 'Wake Up' are each filled with warm sounds and truly sensitive feelings behind the words. 'Funeral' is a stately concept album in the sense that the band named it in honor of several relatives and friends who passed away during its creation - thus, the respectful feel of the album, right down to the funeral-designed brochure tucked inside the ultra-slim CD package.

Arcade Fire is a diverse-sounding band that can change its stripes at the drop of a hat, from elegies to rock to dance to songs with an ethnic flair. The list of instruments used on 'Funeral' - besides the typical guitar, drums and bass - is striking, and adds to the creative vibe that the CD radiates: piano, xylophone, violin, recorders, accordian, rickenbacker are just several unique instruments on the list. At times I hear remnants of the Talking Heads (see The Best of Talking Heads) in such songs as 'Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)', but overall, Arcade Fire is definitely its own unique musical monster.

The best song on 'Funeral' is also the most unexpected, sonically speaking. 'Rebellion (Lies)' is nothing like its more reverent bretheren on the CD. At its core, this song is pure feel-good pop, with slightly disconcerting lyrics to boot. (The 'Lies!' shriek at the tail end of the chorus is priceless.) I discovered Arcade Fire through this song, though it took me months to find out the band's actual name. Perhaps the coolest portion of 'Funeral' occurs when the salsa-tinged 'Haiti' slowly melds into 'Rebellion,' with nothing more than an ardent kick drum, a squealing guitar and a lingering synth. The mysterious intro to the song is par for the course on an album that itself holds some persistent mysteriousness throughout.

OK, I don't get it. This album is noisy, odd, and disjointed, and the vocals are weak and annoying. Am I missing something? It didn't impress me when I bought it, so I put it aside for a few months. I justed picked it up again today, after reading an article about the band in a recent issue of MOJO. I just don't hear anything that impresses me at all. I'd nominate this for most overrated album of the new century.

The first few times I heard this album, I did not really like it....it was cheesy, melodramatic (very Springsteen), and I didn't think the melodies were that great.

However, the more you listen to this album, the more you realize its greatness. Most of the songs increase dramatically in energy from start to finish, eventually ending in a frenetic, passionate (but very melodic) crescendo, as the last reviewer mentioned.

My opinion of the album has shifted so much...I used to think the songs were hammy and overwrought...I realize now that they're actually quite subtle, but it takes time to understand that.

Stand out tracks: All of them are great, but my personal favorites are "Neighborhood #3" (the only song I liked upon first listen, and without doubt the core of the album), "Crown of Love" (nice waltzy pace, with a fantastic violin outro), and "Rebellion/Lies" (just an all around great track).

And if you've not seen them live, then you haven't seen anything yet. Win Butler is insane.

(I found this CD to be in quality condition with no injuries upon delivery.)

As for the CD overall, I saw this band before they became mainstream and loved them, so when I saw this CD at such a cheap price, I had to buy it. The Arcade Fire is a unique band with a variety of songs. Some of their pieces are eerie and soft, where others are up-beat and fun. I would suggest this CD to someone who is looking for a change from their average choice of music to serve as something to lessen the drastic change. The Arcade Fire is very agreeable music.

I held back on purchasing this record at first. I listened to 30 second bits, but it just didn't hit me. I read many reviews, that were for the most part very positive to the CD....so I took a chance and went with it.
What an outstanding piece of music. I use "piece" as in the flow from first cut to the last. I am still amazed that this is such a young group. They have such a maturity in the words and in the overall music approach. This cd belongs on that shelf where you keep rare works of musical genius.

Arcade Fire is a band from Canada, Montreal to be exact. The Members of this band are Texas born Win Butler who sings lead vocals, is the chief song writer and also is the lead guitarist. Régine Chassagne, wife of Win, who was born in hati, emgarted at a young age, co founded the band, plays many different insurments in the band (do not ask me which ones, as I don't know which ones). Richard Reed Parry who plays tom, tambourine, keyboards, electric guitar, and accordion. Sarah Neufeld is the violinist in the band. Jeremy Gara is on the drums

Funeral opens with a slow hypnotic plodding key board with a low fuzzy sounding electric guitar underneath, then lead singer, Win butler's world weary vocals come in softly before booming out "we forgot all the names that we used to know" whit in the first couple of minutes of the opening track you know that this is something different.

The great tracks tracks keep on coming, the next stand out moment on this album comes in the form of the bombastic thrills of "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" which is mezerising its sheer power and emotion, also has a brillant musical promo clip to go with it, which is worth a look, if you want to see the acomping clip, best bet is to head on to you tube.

The other stand out track on this album is "Wake Up". The track begins with a somber and meanceing gutiar riff, the band must have found the happy pills, because at roughly minute four the tempo swiches form somber and meancing to joyous carvilesce atomosphere, with brillant harmoising bettween the band members, annother slice of brillance.

The penultimte song Reblion (Lies) is another supurative track.

There is not enough good things that can be siad about this band, its very diffacult to believe that thiz band have only relaeased the one album, this sound like their fifth, if this leves you feeling a little chily on the first time arround, listen to again, by listen four you should fall in love with album, it is a rare breed of album that desreve all the hype that has surroned it.

I can't help but think of early Echo & The Bunnymen when I hear this (the reference to Ian McCulloch's voice is obvious). And then maybe a little Birthday Party, Pixies and even some very early OMD for good measure. Maybe that's why I feel like I've been listening to Funeral since high school.

In the atmosphere of so much music labled as particular genres like "rock" or "pop", here comes a very different sort of band that doesn't seem to care about such distinctions. The band was luckily able to gain recognition, due to some promotion on MTV's "Advance Warning" program and radio play on alternative stations. Though "The Funeral" was released in 2004, it could've very well been released in any other era. It carries with it a sort of timeless quality that's not modern, but not entirely antique either. This effect is achieved through the variety of musical instruments, use of lyrics of a poetic quality, and the sincere earnestness found in the vocals.

I particularly appreciate albums such as this that sound good from start to finish; the kind where you don't feel the need to skip over any songs. A few of the stand-out songs include 'Neighborhood #2 (Laika)', 'Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)', and 'Rebellion (Lies)'. "The Funeral" is a rather different, well-produced effort that shows promise for The Arcade Fire's future music.

Some bands you have to dig for, or Amazon suggests to you and you buy...Either way its a joy to find these gems. This album is a great listen from beginning to end. Love the melodies, love the lyrics, love the passion. If you find great pleasure, as I do, from music that moves your soul you must get this album today.

I just trashed a bunch of other bands, so I figured I ought to say something nice. This is a great album. It has an intensity that seems impossible, given the amount of chaos going on in within it. The singing is a bit weak, but the band's enthusiasm makes up for it.

They are FANTASTIC live. Their ACL show in 2005 was the highlight of the festival.

EASILY among the past decades most artistically significant albums. A tremendously powerful emotional journey start to finish. I can not praise Arcade Fire enough for their production of this masterpiece.

I was told about this band ages ago from a friend of my sisters. I like all kinds of bands, except EMO, and this is one of my favourites. The music is beautiful and very different to anything else i've heard. One of the stand out tracks would have to be 'Rebellion (lies)' but when you listen to the cd a couple times you'll find that every track is a masterpiece in itself. I seriously recommend giving these guys and girl a listen a few times before deciding whether you like or hate them. In some ways they are very different to most bands, and i especially like how in this album every song seems to get faster in the last minute of each track. I saw them perform live once and it was really cool, especially with the whole drumming on ppl wearing helmets on their heads. In a way the singer kinda reminds me of the singer of Talking Heads (David Burne), another exceptionally cool band. Overall, give them a try and listen to them more then once before you decide you dont like them. Most ppl drawn to this band (whether by word of mouth or something else, wont be dissappointed). Arcade Fire for the win!

This is another one of those albums that I've heard about in passing and has been recommended to me by online retailer algorhythms based on past purchases.

I'll start off by saying that I like this album, but I'm not sure where to go from there; quite frankly it takes me a little bit out of my comfort zone. The drums play a rock beat every once in a while, but it isn't a rock album. It's not emo or alternative and not quite indie-rock. I've heard things like "chamber pop" and comparisons made with Belle & Sebastian. I'm not sure if any of those things are fair to this album though. What is it like? The closest thing that comes to mind is if you took a band like the Strokes, gave them more dimension, and augmented them with quartets and pianos, you'd be halfway to Funeral by Arcade Fire.

The album is a concept from start to finish. The liner notes are printed in a morbid funeral program mock up, delicious and unsettling at the same time. The opening song, "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" opens a lot like a funeral dirge might start, sneaks away from it slowly as drums and quiet guitars find their way into the mix. "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)" starts out with drums on a steady rock beat straight way, but it is difused a bit by the acordion that follows shortly. The lyrics during the verse are quick and halting, but the chorus continues the sorrowful theme that is consistent throughout the album. Transistions in these songs vary from super gradual to sudden, but always seem right.

"Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" makes a great use of sampled whistling tea kettles. It doesn't come off as gimmicky like so many alternative artists who thought it would be cool to use the sound of gurgling bong water. The song has a little more of a folk feel to it, more defined, and is a little more comfortable on first listen than some of the other songs.

The title may suggest that this is one you'll want to save for rainy days and those times when you're convinced you want to hang onto a bad mood. However, the delivery has something of an empowering vibe that might work well on even those sun-shiny happy days.

Why wouldn't you like this album? If an over zealolus Arcade Fire fan tried to shove it down your throat, the gag reflex would kick in and you'd be put off of Funeral forever. The way to enjoy this album is to just relax and discover it on your own time. It's great music, but there is no need to go nuts. They haven't reinvented the wheel here, just put some new fangled tires on it.

Songs That Will Grow On You: Unless you gobble up hype like breakfast cereal, these will all have to grow on you. I wasn't sure about this album the first couple of listens, but it's palatable enough that you won't feel burdened by listening to it again, and you will be glad you did.

Songs I Could Do Without: There are only ten songs total and I don't think I'd want to get rid of any of them. The last song, "In The Backseat", is a little weird, but not bad. I can't give it the axe because it's the right way to end the album

I bought this album without hearing any of the songs, i read about them in a magazine. From the first listen i was hooked. they are one the most original and best bands out today

I, like many others, wanted to like this CD, but was really disappointed. A lot of work obviously went into the creation of this. They have an interesting sound at first that quickly gets predictable.

I thought the first song was decent enough, but after that the CD spirals downward fast. The main problem, as many reviewers have noted, is the singers voice, which is often hard to hear. But if I had a voice like his, I'd probably want it towards the back of the sound mix.

The most original thing about this CD was the liner notes/lyrics, which are presented in the form of a funeral program. Get it? Cool, huh?

Just back in NYC from Seattle where, since it's baseball season, I heard plenty from Mariners lead broadcaster Dave Niehaus and his trademark call of "My, oh my!" to punctuate the most exciting Mariner moments. Well, it struck me that "my, oh my" is exactly how I feel about Funeral. So even though I rarely chip in when over 300 reviews have already been written, this one is worth it. Nine months or so after downloading Funeral I return to it three or four times a week for its passion; its driven music; its stories of urban days, nights and dreams; and the raging, yet somehow always controlled singing. Some cuts are not as superb as others, but the Neighborhoods songs Tunnels, Power Outage, and 7 Kettles, along with Rebellion (Lies) and In the Backseat, grab you, shake you and won't let you go. Like hearing London Calling, or Don't Be Cruel, or Like a Rolling Stone, the first time -- my, oh my, indeed.

What is it about Canada these days? Especially Montreal. Some of the best indie pop post rock whatchamacallit seems to be comming out of the Great White North and Arcade Fire are among the best of them. Funeral is not an album that will grab you immediately, at least it didn't grab me. I had to play it a few times for it to really sink in and that's usually the sign of an album that I'm going to play for a long time. So what do you call this? The Amazon review called this chamber pop and that seems a reasonable moniker. I could name all the influences, pop rock and folk: they sound like blah blah, mixed with a dollop of blah blah, but really they don't sound like anybody else. In other words the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Cliche I know, but fitting. Theirs is an intricate sound, with lots of tonal colors (violin, drums, guitars - electric and acoustic, accordian, etc), musical twists and dynamics that add up to some emotionally complex and rewarding music. I dare you to listen to Wake Up and not be moved. The music isn't about chops, but about the writing. And the writing is good. Win Butler's voice may take some getting used to being a bit like fellow Canadian Neil Young's and the recording isn't the best, but Funeral is the sound of a band really going for it and making something grand in the process.

When writing these amateur reviews, one oftimes settles for more emotive reactions, such as, "Oh, my God. This band changed my life." There are others writing reviews who fashion themselves as the next Lester Bangs or the next Greil Marcus, endeavoring to conjure up a list of smashing phases and laudatory cliche words to describe their current favorite group. Oftimes the results are crap. Let's face it, unless you carry a wealth of popular music history in your threadbare pocket, you would be quite hard pressed to fully encapsulate the magic that is The Arcade Fire. Oh sure, your friends might say, "Heh you liked Bright Eyes. You'll love Arcade Fire." Perhaps. But let us not paint all so-called 'indie bands' with the same proverbial brush stroke.
There is a unique quality to the music of The Arcade Fire. You may not fully appreciate this cd during an initial listen. Yet, at subsequent listenings, you will find their mix of vocals and instramentation intoxicating. Play the music over and over and you will find it engages your sensibilities like few groups today. As a side note, The Arcade Fire's performance at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival was incredibly dynamic.
The members of the Arcade Fire are just damn good.

I subscribe to a magazine in the UK called Uncut. This magazine has introduced me to some really great acts such as Wilco, Drive By Truckers and Richmond Fontaine and opened my eyes to classic artists such as Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. When Uncut voted Arcade Fire's Funeral and Sufjan Stevens' Illinois as albums of the year 2005, I decided it would be worth a try checking out these artists, especially since the magazine's year end CD contained what seemed to be interesting songs by each group. It also covered Arcade Fire in great length, interestingly enough only that one time that I can recollect. Despite still loving the magazine, next year I will be more careful.

I must admit, I've never made it through Arcade Fire. The production is terrible like a 30 year old cassette tape was being used. What sounded interesting on one track became quickly irritating. Singing lessons are in order in Montreal because this is closer to whining than actual singing. Sufjan at least received more patience on my behalf, I managed to listen to it and come to think of it, that album is not entirely bad compared to AF. This is amateur hour at best bloated with what must be hype of 2005. Having given Sufjan only one star, I have second thoughts since I can't give Funeral zero stars, Sufjan at least deserved something but this is painful noise. Avoid!

I really love this CD, the whole thing is a good listen. I can't really pick favorites because I enjoy them all.

Their sound is mellow, melancholy at times, but beautiful throughout.

For those who did not like this album the first time around, give it another try. This is one of those concept albums that actually work (unlike Green Day). Win takes us on a ride through cold weather and death and heartache...and we're there every step of the way. Highlights include Tunnels, 7 Kettles, Crown Of Love, Wake Up, and Rebellion (Lies). But hey, that's half the CD so you might as well listen to it all. These songs build and build to perfection and Arcade Fire features young people that are really good at their instruments (look at the inside of the CD to see how many they play). I can see why some do not like the Arcade Fire, as we all have our different styles, but if you're a fan of Iron and Wine, Sufjan, and Bright Eyes without the uninsightful liberal political leanings, then the Arcade Fire is for you.

Great CD, it still has that big-screen feel of their debut. Nothing is small on this album. They have a their own sound that makes me think of orchestras. Would definitely recommend buying it. Am giving 4 stars not 5 because it's not as amazing as their EP. After 'no cars go', nothing on this album quite hits me the same way.

Funeral is by no means a completely bad album; it has catchy instrumentation, off-key vocals, and almost-insightful lyrics. They've got the haircuts, they've got the psuedo-intellectualism, but they definitely don't have the soul it takes to be distinguishable among the sea of modern indie pop pleasantries. I might have given it three or four stars, but the unwavering praise on this page made me a bit less forgiving.

The only tracks I really enjoyed were the first one, because the lyrics provided excellent imagery, and the last one, because of the female vocalist's great voice, and because I could go and put something else on without having to experience the resounding thought created by a truly significant album. :)

Funeral is an album of great musical achievement. The music is fresh and creative. The band explores a variety of different textures and colors in the sound of their music. We hear heavy powerful rock juxtaposed against light atmospheric compositions and everything in between. The band uses instrumentation very effectively to paint all of these different colors. The listener has encounters with accordion, xylophone, harmonica, violin and a number of textures from keyboards. Arcade Fire presents a beautiful picture to it's listener, but when the vocals come in the picture gets smudged. Win Butler's tone quality leaves much to be desired. He sings abrasively and whiny. His voice lacks much depth or richness, communicating his message to his reader with a dry delivery. There are times when the vocals are so undesirable that the listener thinks the singer is slowly killing an innocent animal. This poor vocal technique often distorts the lyrics which while incredibly insightful and evocative are tough to handle when they can't be heard well. On the lighter songs on the album "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" and "Neighborhood 4- 7 Kettles" the vocals are pretty tolerable for the entire song.

Arcade Fire reminds me of Smashing Pumpkins in many ways. I feel that some incredibly well written music has been destroyed by the lead vocalist. I just don't like listening to Win Butler sing. The group would be great with a better vocalist. When the next album comes out, I am sure I won't buy it if the vocal quality is the same as this album.