Welcome to my first of possibly many reviews.
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Release Date: August 2, 2010
Genre: Indie Rock
Metacritic Rating: 87
Highlights: Ready to Start, The Suburbs, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
The Suburbs is the third studio album by the Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. For those of you have absolutely no idea what an ‘Arcade Fire’ is. The band slowly developed in the early 2000’s, consisting mainly of Win Bulter and Regine Chassange. In 2003, the band in its earliest stages would release their first EP, entitled ‘Arcade Fire’. A year later, after the band finally came together permanently (excluding the original drummer who left after the first album), the band would release ‘Funeral’, to universal acclaim. However, they would not see commercial success until 2007 with ‘Neon Bible’, much darker compared to the first release.
The Suburbs was released in August of 2010, which would suit perfectly for the feel of the album. Technically being the band’s first concept album, it tells the story, or stories of teenagers living in the suburbs. Frontman Win Butler described it as ‘a letter from the suburbs.’ While The Suburbs has a more upbeat sound compared to Funeral and Neon Bible, the lyrical content remains the same – regretful and depressing or questioning what is to come.
The album won a Grammy for Album of the Year, and was as well nominated for Alternative Album of the Year. 'Ready to Start' was nominated for Rock Song of the Year.
Track by Track Analysis:
The Suburbs is both the title track and first song off the album. The song starts out with an upbeat, joyful and summery beat. As the song progresses, both the lyrics and the sound go from happy to dark. The lyrics also set the stage for the rest of the album: being young, being rebellious and growing up in the suburbs. Although the album has no direct concept, roughly it could be around the time when the protagonists group of friends fall apart. The song slowly ends on the dark tone, and into the next song. 9.5/10
Ready to Start, the second song and most ‘rock’ song on the album begins with an odd type of hook, before breaking into the song. The song is much darker than the first track, although it holds onto the ‘old style of pop’ that goes on through the album. The lyrics are the typical teenage angst. Rather than expressed through bad whiney poetry, it actually means something. With a minute left, the song changes completely for the few seconds. 10/10
Modern Man is the third song on the album. In a personal opinion, I found the song a bit boring. But it still sounds nice, as well as a bit relaxing. The lyrics are simple to interpret: you have potential but you instead become like everyone else, and try to be ‘in with the times’. With 1:30 left, the song gets a bit rougher, before going to the calm feel and slowly ended. 7/10
Rococo had to grow on me. From the get go, it sounded tropical. Loud acoustic guitar starts the song off. The lyrics are probably my favorite in the album: mocking the kids of today. Before the halfway point, it goes from happy to awesome: drums kick in and it gets aggressive. After the verse, the electric guitar in the background kicks in, and makes the song brilliant. Noises in the background also help with the frightening sound. 8.5/10
Empty Room is a lot of ‘song’ for its 2 minute 50 second duration. The violins in the background are being played pretty fast throughout the entire song. This is also the first Regine led song on the album, and the first since In the Backseat on Funeral. Distorted guitar in the background and the lyrics about living your life alone make the song a very memorable one. 9/10
The old pop returns on City with No Children, with clapping and the lyrics again being set far in the past. Although this song is not my personal favourite, the guitar is a bit catchy. My big complaint is during the chorus, which could do without the ‘in it’. 7/10
Half Light I is a, pardon by f**gotry, ‘mystical’ sounding song. The song sounds echoey and has a chilling feel. The lyrics overlay into the next track, about being let out into ‘the half light’, and not recognizing the place you live in. The ghostly feel of the song continues throughout the song, and segues into the next one quite well. 8/10
Half Light II (No Celebration) is one of my favorites on the album. With a dramatic sound, frightening sound and regretful lyrics, it leaves a sad image in your mind. Lyrical concept of being let out into the half light continues, more so focused on coming home, and realizing how much your home has changed. The distorted and frightening sound throughout the album continues. 10/10
Suburban War begins the second half of the album. Continues a dramatic feel, but gives off a different sound, almost tribal. Lyrics derive from the first track, about a war in the suburbs, and finding about how much old friends have changed. The climax of the song, includes tribal drumming and overall epic sound, before quickly ending. 10/10
Month of May is the second ‘rock’ song on the album. A major post punk influence goes through the sound, with a repetitive guitar and bass. The lyrics are about ‘making a recording in the month of May’, and starting over. Half Light II, Suburban War and this song all go together quite well in a linear concept. Frightening sounds return at the end. 9/10
Pop returns with Wasted Hours. Although the sound of the guitar and drums make it sound happy, the lyrics differ, talking about the hours wasted doing nothing. Not much changes from the beginning to the end, and keeps a steady beat. 7/10
I don’t know about Deep Blue. Unique track in terms of what it is exactly. I’m going to say it’s a dark pop song. The style of guitar in Rococo returns near the end of the song. The lyrics are going to back to being young, hearing sounds from passing cars, watching major events on TV. It also brings back lyrical concepts from Modern Man, putting down technology and living for a while. 8.5/10
I wanted to rate We Used to Wait higher. For me, the repetitive piano and relative lyrics make me want to listen to it over and over again. Welcome back to the dark pop. The lyrics are about writing lyrics when you were younger, and growing up don’t do that anymore. This is also the best example of how cheery the album can sound yet how sad the lyrics can be. Song ends on a sort-of aggressive tone. 8.5/10
If you’re soft hearted, Sprawl I (Flatland) will make you cry. Best use of the string instruments on the album. The lyrics are simply about not having a home, but going to back to your old one. 7.5/10
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountain) is the mother of all pop songs on the album. The second Regine led song, and possibly her greatest vocal effort. The lyrics are about how the sprawl and the suburbs, eventually destroys everything. Synths come out on the second verse, continuing to the happy sound yet dark meaning. Twice the song breaks down before going to back the beat. Great ending to the song. 10/10
The album ends with The Suburbs (Continued). A great closer, but in honestly it’s too short. Lyrics sum up the album, as The Suburbs chorus is repeated over and over again, and the song, as well as the album, fades out. 7/10
The Suburbs, overall, is very old style pop, and for the most part quite cheery, but the lyrics are sad and nostalgic. Very relatable for many people, and is why I believe the album went over so well. Personally, I’m sad with the average I ended up giving it. I think it deserves much higher.
The average of all the songs is 8.50, or 85%
I highly recommend you listen to this album.
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Release Date: August 2, 2010
Genre: Indie Rock
Metacritic Rating: 87
Highlights: Ready to Start, The Suburbs, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
The Suburbs is the third studio album by the Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. For those of you have absolutely no idea what an ‘Arcade Fire’ is. The band slowly developed in the early 2000’s, consisting mainly of Win Bulter and Regine Chassange. In 2003, the band in its earliest stages would release their first EP, entitled ‘Arcade Fire’. A year later, after the band finally came together permanently (excluding the original drummer who left after the first album), the band would release ‘Funeral’, to universal acclaim. However, they would not see commercial success until 2007 with ‘Neon Bible’, much darker compared to the first release.
The Suburbs was released in August of 2010, which would suit perfectly for the feel of the album. Technically being the band’s first concept album, it tells the story, or stories of teenagers living in the suburbs. Frontman Win Butler described it as ‘a letter from the suburbs.’ While The Suburbs has a more upbeat sound compared to Funeral and Neon Bible, the lyrical content remains the same – regretful and depressing or questioning what is to come.
The album won a Grammy for Album of the Year, and was as well nominated for Alternative Album of the Year. 'Ready to Start' was nominated for Rock Song of the Year.
Track by Track Analysis:
The Suburbs is both the title track and first song off the album. The song starts out with an upbeat, joyful and summery beat. As the song progresses, both the lyrics and the sound go from happy to dark. The lyrics also set the stage for the rest of the album: being young, being rebellious and growing up in the suburbs. Although the album has no direct concept, roughly it could be around the time when the protagonists group of friends fall apart. The song slowly ends on the dark tone, and into the next song. 9.5/10
Ready to Start, the second song and most ‘rock’ song on the album begins with an odd type of hook, before breaking into the song. The song is much darker than the first track, although it holds onto the ‘old style of pop’ that goes on through the album. The lyrics are the typical teenage angst. Rather than expressed through bad whiney poetry, it actually means something. With a minute left, the song changes completely for the few seconds. 10/10
Modern Man is the third song on the album. In a personal opinion, I found the song a bit boring. But it still sounds nice, as well as a bit relaxing. The lyrics are simple to interpret: you have potential but you instead become like everyone else, and try to be ‘in with the times’. With 1:30 left, the song gets a bit rougher, before going to the calm feel and slowly ended. 7/10
Rococo had to grow on me. From the get go, it sounded tropical. Loud acoustic guitar starts the song off. The lyrics are probably my favorite in the album: mocking the kids of today. Before the halfway point, it goes from happy to awesome: drums kick in and it gets aggressive. After the verse, the electric guitar in the background kicks in, and makes the song brilliant. Noises in the background also help with the frightening sound. 8.5/10
Empty Room is a lot of ‘song’ for its 2 minute 50 second duration. The violins in the background are being played pretty fast throughout the entire song. This is also the first Regine led song on the album, and the first since In the Backseat on Funeral. Distorted guitar in the background and the lyrics about living your life alone make the song a very memorable one. 9/10
The old pop returns on City with No Children, with clapping and the lyrics again being set far in the past. Although this song is not my personal favourite, the guitar is a bit catchy. My big complaint is during the chorus, which could do without the ‘in it’. 7/10
Half Light I is a, pardon by f**gotry, ‘mystical’ sounding song. The song sounds echoey and has a chilling feel. The lyrics overlay into the next track, about being let out into ‘the half light’, and not recognizing the place you live in. The ghostly feel of the song continues throughout the song, and segues into the next one quite well. 8/10
Half Light II (No Celebration) is one of my favorites on the album. With a dramatic sound, frightening sound and regretful lyrics, it leaves a sad image in your mind. Lyrical concept of being let out into the half light continues, more so focused on coming home, and realizing how much your home has changed. The distorted and frightening sound throughout the album continues. 10/10
Suburban War begins the second half of the album. Continues a dramatic feel, but gives off a different sound, almost tribal. Lyrics derive from the first track, about a war in the suburbs, and finding about how much old friends have changed. The climax of the song, includes tribal drumming and overall epic sound, before quickly ending. 10/10
Month of May is the second ‘rock’ song on the album. A major post punk influence goes through the sound, with a repetitive guitar and bass. The lyrics are about ‘making a recording in the month of May’, and starting over. Half Light II, Suburban War and this song all go together quite well in a linear concept. Frightening sounds return at the end. 9/10
Pop returns with Wasted Hours. Although the sound of the guitar and drums make it sound happy, the lyrics differ, talking about the hours wasted doing nothing. Not much changes from the beginning to the end, and keeps a steady beat. 7/10
I don’t know about Deep Blue. Unique track in terms of what it is exactly. I’m going to say it’s a dark pop song. The style of guitar in Rococo returns near the end of the song. The lyrics are going to back to being young, hearing sounds from passing cars, watching major events on TV. It also brings back lyrical concepts from Modern Man, putting down technology and living for a while. 8.5/10
I wanted to rate We Used to Wait higher. For me, the repetitive piano and relative lyrics make me want to listen to it over and over again. Welcome back to the dark pop. The lyrics are about writing lyrics when you were younger, and growing up don’t do that anymore. This is also the best example of how cheery the album can sound yet how sad the lyrics can be. Song ends on a sort-of aggressive tone. 8.5/10
If you’re soft hearted, Sprawl I (Flatland) will make you cry. Best use of the string instruments on the album. The lyrics are simply about not having a home, but going to back to your old one. 7.5/10
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountain) is the mother of all pop songs on the album. The second Regine led song, and possibly her greatest vocal effort. The lyrics are about how the sprawl and the suburbs, eventually destroys everything. Synths come out on the second verse, continuing to the happy sound yet dark meaning. Twice the song breaks down before going to back the beat. Great ending to the song. 10/10
The album ends with The Suburbs (Continued). A great closer, but in honestly it’s too short. Lyrics sum up the album, as The Suburbs chorus is repeated over and over again, and the song, as well as the album, fades out. 7/10
The Suburbs, overall, is very old style pop, and for the most part quite cheery, but the lyrics are sad and nostalgic. Very relatable for many people, and is why I believe the album went over so well. Personally, I’m sad with the average I ended up giving it. I think it deserves much higher.
The average of all the songs is 8.50, or 85%
I highly recommend you listen to this album.
If you read this instead of the review, I hate you
The Suburbs - 9.5/10
Ready to Start - 10/10
Modern Man - 7/10
Rococo - 8.5/10
Empty Room - 9/10
City With No Children - 7/10
Half Light I - 8/10
Half Light II (No Celebration) - 10/10
Suburban War - 10/10
Month of May - 9/10
Wasted Hours - 7/10
Deep Blue - 8/10
We Used to Wait - 8.5/10
Sprawl I (Flatland) - 7.5/10
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - 10/10
The Suburbs (Continued) - 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10, 85%
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Suburbs - 9.5/10
Ready to Start - 10/10
Modern Man - 7/10
Rococo - 8.5/10
Empty Room - 9/10
City With No Children - 7/10
Half Light I - 8/10
Half Light II (No Celebration) - 10/10
Suburban War - 10/10
Month of May - 9/10
Wasted Hours - 7/10
Deep Blue - 8/10
We Used to Wait - 8.5/10
Sprawl I (Flatland) - 7.5/10
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - 10/10
The Suburbs (Continued) - 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10, 85%
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
