This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Arcade Fire Make Another Perfect Record
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
Merge Records
Every once in a while a cd will come along that you can't get out of your head. You take it with you to the car, you bring it into the shower with you, and hey look at that there it is playing in your iPod. Arcade Fire's first album was like that, Funeral.
Beware though, Neon Bible is going to cost you. It's such a dynamically beautiful record, rich with brass and strings that your car speakers will sound like shit. LAist seriously went to Best Buy and got a new pair of Infinity's yesterday - even though the price for install was way out of line - simply because we had to hear how grand this cd is. It's big, people.
But then you get home and you want to blast it there too, and you try, and then you start looking at your home speakers as the pieces of crud that they are.
When Neon Bible first came out Best Buy was selling it for nine bucks or was it eight? If they were smart they'd give it away because, seriously, you won't be able to stop playing it, and it rewards you even more once you upgrade your equipment.
"My Body is a Cage" alone, the album's closing piece, begins with a simple enough heartbeat-like rhythm with someone humming as bro sings his little song. Then the sustained organ note turns into a chord and then there are background angels. All's well until halfway through when the organ intensifies with the drums in a spiritually robust climax that finally explains in music what the Neon Bible is all about.
Sponsored message
It's about the Arcade Fire being from Heaven.
Amen.
No Cars Go
Keep The Car Running
My Body is a Cage
Intervention
The Well and the Lighthouse
Sponsored message
Cold Wind
Neon Bible
Black Mirror
Ocean of Noise
Bonus - Guns of Brixton at Brixton Academy 3/17/07
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
