Arcade Fire – THE
SUBURBS
I don’t care too much
about the concept. I don’t know if this was better than Funeral or not. I never asked myself how pretentious this band is.
I just think this is a brilliant collection of songs. And, five years later,
the wishy-washy “Wasted Hours” is the only one I could live without.
The Suburbs is the sort of album you should listen to on long
journeys. I’ve done that a few times now, and it has never let me down. The
scope of this thing. The melodies and the moods you can live a hundred times or
more. My favourite moment is when the gorgeous, wistful “Suburban War” gives
way to the punkish energy rush of “Month Of May”. Or perhaps it is the way they
keep changing the tempo throughout “Modern Man”? Or the biting lyrics of “Rococo”?..
It’s driving,
anthemic sound, and these are driving, anthemic songs. Good songs. I don’t think there are many bands around who can rival
them for arrangements and songwriting chops. Maybe The New Pornographers. Maybe…
Honestly, I don’t know who else.
