Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Merge Records Aug 3, 2010
How dare you say indie rock is dead!
Well, maybe indie rock was on the tail end of a long and painful death, but thankfully a crew of rock superheroes busted out the musical defibrillator and saved the day, postponing the inevitable demise of the once monstrous genre called Indie Rock! Who are these caped saviors? Are they Californians, Texans, New Yorkers or maybe British… NOPE…they’re Canadian. FUCKING CANADIANS!?!?!?!
I have been critical of the Canadians, especially on this Blog site, but today I offer up thanks to Canada. More precisely, I thank the Montreal based indie rock ensemble Arcade Fire for releasing their third studio album The Suburbs which may be their masterpiece.
Arcade Fire’s first LP, Funeral , was poetic to the point of being transcendent. It was an album composed of love, grief and broken promises elaborately weaved in dramatic yet dazzling arrangements, creating one of the most awe-inspiring records in the last 10 years. Neon Bible used Funeral as its foundation and built on it, but the final product was not very captivating. Funeral was not meant to be built on; and if I may quote the wise philosopher Q-Tip, “A weak foundation ain’t good for a home, that’s why mine is built on chrome microphones.” Neon Bible was accused of being over arranged and too bold. It was like an overcooked steak, it’s still edible but not exactly what you had in mind before you began cooking it. Finally, 2010’s The Suburbs takes from both Funeral and Neon Bible and makes something alluring and grandiose while focusing on self-important measures, responsibilities, momentary adolescence, come-ups and let-downs. Nothing sounds anxious; rather it keeps a steady pace, comparable to the way Beck kept a stable melody on his album Sea Change. The Suburbs may not be as poetic as Funeral but it is sincere and far more accessible. In my opinion, this is the album where Arcade Fire finds what alcoholics call a moment of clarity (not that I’m an alcoholic that has observed such a moment, I just heard someone say that in a movie once).
Arcade Fire doesn’t waste a second with The Suburbs. Every note, every chord on all 16-tracks has been scrupulously and meticulously hand crafted like an intricate entwine that cannot be loosened. The album is passionate, sincere and deeper than anything they’ve attempted. In short, these Canucks have achieved their masterpiece. I’ve heard The Suburbs being compared to Springsteen’s ‘The River’ which I can easily see after one listen.
There are too many amazing songs to count on this album…actually there’s 16, BUT the tracks that stick out to me and should definitely be listened to goes as followed:
“Rococo” – Poppy and catchy, but very direct and genuine. ‘Rococo’ can be a hint of the bare truth and straightforwardness you step into when listening to The Suburbs in its entirety.
“Month of May” – Shows that Arcade Fire has been digging for influences, probably in their late 70’s and early 80’s rock collection. This track is a tad faster and somewhat more annoyed than you would expect from Arcade Fire.
“Suburban War” – This is The Suburbs pivotal moment. The song illustrates the anger of a man who has lost the cherished connection of a once good friend, sidekick, companion. Finding that life can transform once familiar brothers into familiar strangers is a sad fact I’ve come to understand as I’ve become older. Age is a can of paint thinner leaking over portraits of loved-ones that surround youth like a security blanket.
Somehow Arcade Fire continues to funnel emotion and intimacy into a sound that can electrify a crowd. It was 2004 when Funeral released, I was 20 years-old (prime of my youth). Funeral saw things from my young perspective, an album about adolescence, rebellion and defying adults. As I’ve matured so have my responsibilities and this nerve-racking transition into adulthood seems to never reduce to anything less than terrifying. The Suburbs examines life from the adults’ point of view, the opposite end of the spectrum from Funeral. Arcade Fire brings their audience one step closer to the parents perception if you will. This is no easy task, but like all the great performers who have brought their listeners numerous standpoints with each album (such as: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, The Who, The Moody Blues, etc.) Arcade Fire succeeds, forcing their fans to observe this world, understand it and then step into it. If The Suburbs isn’t a masterpiece now, I guarantee it will be well delivered as their followers get older and understand the concept. Adulthood is unavoidable ya’ll, unless you die or become a vampire. If you can avoid these alternate options, give this album another listen and see if it rubs you differently.
…and they’re CANADIANS!?!
(- review by Tony)
All wristbands gone. Lines around San Fernando. DJ Muggs, Mr Choc, and ErnDogg on the wheels. Ill Bill and special guests on stage for the new album Kill Devil Hills (officially dropping on Aug 31). Fans with Soul Assassins tattoos. And 50 some pictures for you to sift through. The in store performance last Friday night was a huge success. Thanks to the entire Soul Assassins fam, and to everyone that came out.
More photos from Friday night’s Soul Assassins in store performance with DJ Muggs, Ill Bill, and special guests.
Ok so here are the rules and the details everyone has been asking…
This Monday, August 16th at 11am we will open and have the new Soul Assassins Brand clothing line in their buildout, the first 100 people to purchase any items from the Soul Assassins buildout and/or pre-order the new DJ Muggs / Ill Bill album “Kill Devil Hills” will receive a wristband. THERE WILL ONLY BE 100 WRISTBANDS GIVEN OUT, ONCE WE ARE OUT, WE ARE OUT!! 1 purchase = 1 wristband, no extras for your cousin, your girl, your homie that’s at work or your mom.
Yes, there people added to this amazing lineup…Sick Jacken (Pyschorealm), Slaine (La Coka Nostra), Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks), Q-Unique and Mr Choc (Beat Junkies). This will for sure be a night to remember.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOW UP FRIDAY UNLESS YOU HAVE A WRSITBAND, YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IN…THANKS AND ENJOY!
These images, by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Depression on America’s rural and small town populations. The photographs are the property of the Library of Congress and were included in a 2006 exhibit Bound for Glory: America in Color. To view the article, click on the photograph below.
Personally I am the most excited to see Ms Lauryn Hill perform this year at Rock the Bells. This song was taken off the “Love Jones” soundtrack back in 1997. Supposedly this tour is supposed to mark her comeback. She recently stated she felt “inspired” again and we also can’t forget about the track that was recently leaked…she must be cookin something up for us.
Rock the Bells, San Bernandino 8/21/10…be there.
This is one of my favorite soul songs of all time…
You know it’s a party when it takes you 10 minutes to walk through the store…Thanks to everyone that came out! And big shouts to DJ Vick One, El Prez, U-N-I, Casey Veggies, and CURT@!N$. Disclaimer: I left after the U-N-I performance, so I wasn’t able to photograph the rest of the performers…
Check out this interview with UNI after their performance at Backside this past Friday…pictures from the whole night coming soon. For sure a night to remember!
We headed over to Huntington Beach yesterday for day one of Agenda – the trade show where the best of streetwear and action sports unite under one roof. Upstairs in the main room, we rapped with brands like Obey and 10 Deep. And downstairs in the skate specific section appropriately called ‘The Berrics Agenda’, we rapped with brands like Diamond and Huf. Now, let the photo gallery do the talking.
