Arcade Fire Thread (Rolling) - CW: Discussion re sexual misconduct from post 1647 onwards.

Haven’t listened to Reflektor since it came out but remember quite enjoying it. I probably listen to Neon Bible or Funeral the most. The Suburbs is overly long and the lyrics, man the lyrics…

Yep. I remember seeing it for the first time and it utterly flooring me.

NB > F > TS = R for me pals

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Funeral > The Suburbs > Reflektor > Neon Bible

wasn’t supposed to be a reply to ruffers

don’t lie

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i’m probably a bit unfair on Neon Bible cos i was a big fan of Funeral and NB disappointed me and put me off them for a bit. looking back on it in the context of the whole catalogue it is pretty solid (still think the EP version of No Cars Go was better though)

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I don’t think I’ve ever listened to the whole of Reflektor in one sitting. Disc 1 works brilliantly from start to finish; Disc 2 contains the gorgeous It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus) but also some real heavy-handed stinkers (Porno). And I’d love The Suburbs if they culled four or five songs from between tracks 5-12.

Really don’t like Neon Bible much. Funeral is pretty-much perfect.

Funeral > Reflektor Disc 1 >>> The Suburbs >>> Reflektor Disc 2 > Neon Bible

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i like disc 2 including Porno tbh but it’s a definite drop off in quality and often doesn’t always warrant continuing after disc 1 is over, yeah

The only track I dislike is Joan of Arc.

Neon Bible > Funeral > Suburbs >>>>>>>>>> Reflektor

The first three are so close in quality, but I absolutely hated Reflektor. It was bad enough to make me retroactively question the quality of the other three albums too, never had another album do that to me.

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Funeral > Reflektor disc 2 > Neon Bible > The Suburbs > Reflektor disc 1

Really doe, they’re a fantastic band. Bands I’m not bothered about release shite songs every day, I’m only bothered about this one because I love the band… even though Owen Pallett’s solo work is miles better and they should stop hogging his charisma uniqueness nerve and talent.

It’s strange because I completely love Reflektor! Both discs 1 and 2. In fact, I’d say it’s my second (or third, or fourth) favourite album ever.

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Agree with all of this. pretty much.

I’ve been meaning to go back and give Reflektor a proper listen but I’ve never got round to doing it.

Always found the disgust/despair displayed towards their post-Funeral work by some here baffling - did people want them to churn out identical sounding albums for a whole career or just call it quits after 1 album?

They’ve released 2 potential best of era albums (Funeral and The Suburbs) and 2 very good, 8/10 albums. Comments of them ‘not being the same band’ are particularly odd.

That new one really is wank, but every band has similar clangers in them.

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Yeah I prefer the earlier stuff really but it’s hard to deny they’re one of the best and most consistent rock acts of certainly the last twenty years. All four records are really good.

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Suburbs is one of those albums where a lotta people will see a disappointment, but for the 5% who hear it at exactly the right time and place (being 17 in a suburban town, for me) it can be one of those records that changes their life as naff as that sounds

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But Afterlife is the best track on the album

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Personally I think Reflektor would have made an excellent 8 track album. But as it is it’ super bloated.

Flashbulb eyes anyone?

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As much as I think the quality of the tracks vary wildly on Reflektor, I do think it only really works as a big sprawling double disc epic, that’s the whole concept of the album. It’s only really Norman Person and Flashbulb Eyes that aren’t that good anyway, and I reckon Flashbulb Eyes is redeemable.