Arcade Fire - Reflektor

[Pete for President]

New video released of the upcoming Arcade Fire album;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo

I had my doubts when I first listened to the song and there's still some resentment for them totally abandoning the folky-fury of Funeral and the murky darkness of Neon Bible for a more electronic (and David Bowie-ish) vibe, but several listens have me convinced this song is a work of art indeed. So is the video. There's power, mystery and incredible depth to be found.

I'm hoping for a more conceptual, tight package album in comparison to the in my opinion rather unfocussed Suburbs.

Any thoughts?

Edit; big question. Only 6 members in the video. Is it violin player Sarah Neufeld I'm missing?

[Rantz]

It'll take some time to get used to the new sound, but I'm definitely looking forward to the album nonetheless. The song will take a few more listens, but I think it has good promise.

[Jinx]

I like it! It's not bad. I think I'd like it more if it wasn't Arcade Fire. Why can't we go back to Funeral, already? :( I'll give it an open-mind. I hated, hated Suburbs when it came out, mostly because of the negative hype. Now I think it's way better than Neon Bible, and there are some really fantastic songs on it.

[Rantz]

I fell in love with Suburbs from the first listen, actually. It's no Funeral, but it isn't far behind for me. Neon Bible hasn't made much of an impact on me at all even though I like a few songs from it.

[Jinx]

Yeah, I don't care much for Neon Bible. It enrages some people I know that I like Suburbs much more than Neon Bible, and some people I know also think that Neon Bible is Arcade Fire's best album. That's just absurd, of course, everyone knows Funeral is the best AF album. It's what autumn would sound like if autumn was music.

[Shorty]

I can't listen because boo work, but I've thoroughly enjoyed all Arcade Fire albums. They're all so different yet the same feel is there, and I appreciate the messages they try to send and the stories they try to tell.

I don't understand why Neon Bible is generally disliked so much; it has some of their best songs on it. But I won't argue that Funeral is their best collective work.

[Jinx]

Really? Everyone I know loves Neon Bible and hates The Suburbs.

[Shorty]

It's the opposite for people I know xD

[Pete for President]

I hated, hated Suburbs when it came out, mostly because of the negative hype. Now I think it's way better than Neon Bible, and there are some really fantastic songs on it.

There are indeed some really good songs on it, but as an album as a whole I think Suburbs is the weakest. I always skip a few songs on the Suburbs, whereas I don't on Funeral and Neon Bible. To me those two just seem to hold a stronger theme as a whole.

I love Neon Bible for the unaccessible murky dystopian semi-gospel album that it is, and the sound of it is incredibly deep. For that reason I think Neon Bible has even aged a little better than Funeral, although the latter remains unmatched in terms of whimsical feel combined with folky fury! Funeral > Neon Bible > Suburbs is the order of fondness.

Here's hoping Reflektor will rank among the favorites :greenie:

[Pete for President]

Three more songs released in this new spaced out video! Including some guys from the hangover. I did not expect that/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fFAKrIntzY

It seems this record is gonna be quite... diverse. I'm hyped! Especially about Normal Person.

[Rantz]

Haha, loved all the cameos. Nice songs, too!

[Pete for President]

IT'S OUT!

Listening to it right now. It seems to be getting some mixed reviews, and the length of the double album worries me. I mean, 75 minutes in total? I thought the Suburbs was a little bloated, and I sure hope Reflektor won't suffer the same problem. The first track is nothing but soundscape for 10 minutes, I wonder if it has any meaning.

Any thoughts?

[Pete for President]

Here's my review:

Arcade Fire's 4th full length album is proudly presented as a double record, but I'm not convinced this is a good thing. With 75 minutes to fill, it seems Win Butler runs out of stories to tell and questions to ask.

Let's pretend the 10 minute long opener 'Hidden Track' doesn't exist for the sake of getting off a right start. If we consider the single 'Reflektor' as our proper kick-off a very strong set of 5 songs open up the album, each filled with plenty of little details to hear and discover while the band explores several different musical styles. Switching from quirky to powerful on the fly, each piece stands firmly on it's own. 'Normal Person' will rock your socks off, and these songs are full band efforts where the fun they have playing shines through.

After those 5 tracks however, it becomes evident that frontman Win Butler took on more than he can chew. Songs 'You Already Know' and 'Joan of Arc' close off disc one, but both tracks follow structures heard before and are lyrically dull. By this time you start to notice Win is using the words "know" and "go" way too generously. The chorusses become very simple and almost come off as lazy or even a little childish. Even when singer Regine brings some diversity, it's too little too late.

Disc two works well as being different. A slower pace and subtle melodies create a more atmospheric vibe and producer James Murphy influence brings a very pleasant funkiness in the mix. Soon enough however the lack of lyrical creativity comes back as a nuisance and we're back to hearing know and go a lot. Luckily female singer Regine brings a little fresh air to the party on the excellent 'It's Never Over'. The following track 'Porno' on the other hand sounds like the band had a brainstorm session how many words they can think of that end with 'o'. I hate to bring this up so often, but from a band who's lyrics have always been mystical, questioning, compelling or downright gospel this is a disappointment.

Closing tracks 'Afterlife' and 'Supersymmetry' bring back some well needed mysticism and close the album with dignity and afterthought (or at least musically).

Reflektor has plenty of strong moments and well-crafted songs in it's repertoire, but Win Butler's ambition has worked against him this time. About a third of the songs don't feel like a full-band effort and therefor miss the band's fury and diversity. Combined with uninspired chorusses those lesser tracks stand in the way of something awesome, and Reflektor never reaches it's full potential.

I wish the band had applied a "less is more"-rule, and cut out the missable Hidden Track, You Already Know, Joan Of Arc, Awful Sound and Porno. Those are exactly the tracks now switched off in my iTunes.

Enjoy!