It's been two years since the Grammy's Album of the Year was won by Arcade
Fire's The Suburbs. All the belated 'who the fuck are Arcade Fire?'
memes are gone; they were far more effective than last year’s BRIT Awards, when
'who the fuck is Cat Power' took over. The independents have been included at
big name awards for a number of years now, but they rarely take any award home
for their efforts of social confusion. This year will see the release of
their fourth album Reflektor. Go through the three album discography,
come back, and then think about how the Canadian troop can maintain their
quality recordings. Whatever the outcome of Arcade Fire's next two months,
we'll still have a soft spot for their decade defining albums.
Key lyrics: "They heard me singing and they told me to stop, quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock."
Win
Butler rarely lets his misses and keyboardist Régine Chassagne sing lead on
Arcade Fire songs. She's done her fair bit of good, as you'll see her pop up
later on this list. Chassagne delivers a spectacular vocal on this track,
answering her critics instantly with the tracks opening lyrics: "They
heard me singing and they told me to stop, quit these pretentious things and
just punch the clock." Following in the footsteps of The
Suburbs suburban theme, Chassagne mentions: "Sometimes I wonder if the
world's so small, that we can never get away from the sprawl," sprawl meaning
low populated areas.
9. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Key lyrics: "Ice has covered up my parents' hands, don't have any dreams, don't have any plans."
Based on Chassagne's experiences in Montreal during the North American ice
storm of 1998, "Neighborhood #3" has been purposely left unanswered.
It's an ambiguous track that can be seen differently. There's the 'no hope'
factor of life that plays in with the albums theme Funeral, and then there's
the more sinister imagery with lyrics like: "And the power's out in
the heart of man, take it from your heart, put in your hand." However
you decide to interpret this song, its importance in Arcade Fire's discography
will last a lifetime.
8. No Cars Go
Key lyrics: "Between the click of the light and the start of the dream."
Originally found on the Arcade Fire EP, "No Cars Go" is an
instantly recognisable indie rock song. Taken from 2007s Neon Bible, the
re-recorded version lightens up the lo-fi demo take. Instead of Neutral Milk
Hotel esque instrumentation, Arcade Fire have recorded it with more, better,
and needed skill. It’s one of Arcade Fire's more simple songs, taking on a
standard structure with an extended introduction. It makes for a poignant back
album track.
Key lyrics: "So can you understand? Why I want a daughter while I'm still young. I wanna hold her hand, and show her some beauty, before this damage is done."
The opening track and title track from Arcade Fire's 2010 third album
includes some of Butler's best vocal work, especially on the refrain: "Sometimes
I can't believe it, I'm movin' past the feeling." He sings with
such passion, energy, that the listeners instantly understand his struggles.
This is another basic Arcade Fire song at heart, in structure, and in spirit.
When all the strings, percussion and backing vocals come together, the effects
are astonishingly beautiful. The essence of strings when Butler sings about
wanting offspring, it's purely affectionate vocals.
6.
Key lyrics: "When daddy comes home you always start a fight, so the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights."
The second instalment of Neighborhood on Arcade Fire's magnificent
debut album Funeral is one to remember. Butler sings: "Alexander,
our older brother set out for a great adventure, he tore our images out of his
pictures, he scratched our names out of all his letters, our mother should have
just named you Laika!" He speaks of the suburban low key lifestyle
of people, and how one, Alexander, broke out of it. Mentioning Laika (the
Russian space dog) suggests an overreaction, or boosted opinion of leaving the
close knit community to do something different. A fantastic song, sung by
Butler and Chassagne in high pitch childlike accents, capturing the essence of
the lyrics.
5. Keep The Car Running
Key lyrics: "Every night my dream's the same, same old city with a different name."
Arcade fire's powerful "Keep The Car Running" has regularly been suppressed by critics and fans as the band's best work. Indeed, this track takes all the kooky weird instrumentalism of an indie rock band and throws it together with a Tom Waits styled lyrical masterpiece. Butler confuses the listener with interpretations as to what this song could be about. Quite frankly, it's better left open. This is one of Arcade Fire's masterpieces that sounds far more interesting and fun live, which is why there’s a live video above.
4. Wake Up
Key lyrics: "If the children don't grow up, our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up. We're just a million little god's causin' rain storms turnin' every good thing to rust. I guess we'll just have to adjust."
"Wake Up" is the sound of Funeral. Arcade Fire's early
career will be remembered for making this epic song, for many reasons. First,
the thumping guitar drone, second, the dreary vocal, third, the vocal refrain,
fourth, popular culture. "Wake Up" has phenomenal instrumental arrangements
and even better vocal delivery. It's a two part song, the former being a hazardous
rousing track with hope and fulfilment, the latter is a funky piano arrangement
with an even higher pitched Butler vocal. "Wake Up" was the first
sign of Arcade Fire's world domination... It all traces back to this anthem.
3. Haiti
Key lyrics: "In the forest we are hiding, unmarked graves where flowers grow. Hear the soldiers angry yelling, in the river we will go."
Chassagne pays homage to her mother country Haiti with Arcade Fire's soft
touch from Funeral. "Haiti" is one of the few Arcade Fire
songs that standout as a living entity. It takes Chassagne's emotional vocal
delivery to see the message as clear as a human being. Haiti has a horrid
history, and Chassagne makes reference to that: "Guns can't kill
what soldiers can't see." The imagery of Chassagne's motherland
combined with a cheerful instrumental makes "Haiti" standout among giants
on Funeral.
2. Rebellion (Lies)
Key lyrics: "People say that you'll die, faster than without water. But we know it's just a lie, scare your son, scare your daughter."
Butler's lyricism is often misjudged. He purposely leaves themes wide open
so the listener can relate in any specific way. They don't have to relate the
same way as Butler, as just feeling something from the lyrics, from the song,
is enough in the eyes of Butler. "Rebellion (Lies)" is the
calmest and most baroque protest song of the 00s. Butler speaks of an answer to
avoid falling down a life pit. The above lyrics play towards a baptism related
metaphor. His lyrics are rousing, pushing the listener to question, as the
title suggests - "Rebellion (Lies)". It's the same as saying 'don't
believe everything you read', just with more elements of rebellious attitude
towards society. This track is right up here on this list for its theme, the
magnificent Velvet Underground piano homage and the uplifting chord
progressions. Fitting to Funeral's dull neighbourhood theme.
1. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Key lyrics: "You change all the lead, sleeping in my head. As the day grows dim, I hear you sing a golden hymn."
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is the first track on Arcade Fire's debut album Funeral. Like "The Suburbs", "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" becomes the pedestal for the latter tracks. Listening to Funeral in full is an experience, however if you just want that summary, then "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is your best bet. Butler speaks nostalgic childhood references. It's a love story in development, waiting for the finale that never quite comes. It's the first epic Arcade Fire song that can be considered an anthem. The build-up is incredible with fitting piano accompaniment. It leaves the listener wanting more, more Arcade Fire, and that's what they've we've had since 2005.
~Eddie
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is the first track on Arcade Fire's debut album Funeral. Like "The Suburbs", "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" becomes the pedestal for the latter tracks. Listening to Funeral in full is an experience, however if you just want that summary, then "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is your best bet. Butler speaks nostalgic childhood references. It's a love story in development, waiting for the finale that never quite comes. It's the first epic Arcade Fire song that can be considered an anthem. The build-up is incredible with fitting piano accompaniment. It leaves the listener wanting more, more Arcade Fire, and that's what they've we've had since 2005.
~Eddie
