The Arcade Fire "Funereal" - Best record of the year?

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I haven't picked up the record yet myself - is it the best record of the year?

― Asthmatic Cajun (Asthmatic Cajun), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 18:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I pulled this off of soulseek after hearing all the hype. I dont know wtf the hype is all about. Its like broken social scene 2004 (and I kinda like bss). Decent indie band hyped to the hills for no apparent reason.

Disclaimer: Ive only listened to the record about 2 times.

― still bevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 18:59 (twenty-one years ago)

still, OTM

― ken taylrr (ken taylrr), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know that it's the best record of the year, but it's very close. It's emotional, it rocks, it backs off. It's one of only a few albums this year that I just responded to with "holy crap."

― JC-L (JC-L), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for reminding me that I really wanted to hear this ... will try to d/l now and hopefully return to thread later.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Strangely enough, I just put on William Basinski's "Disintegration Loops" for the first time, and it's only five minutes in but I'm already thinking that it might be the best record of the year.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

At least it's better than that TV On The Radio crap.

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

touche

― still bevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Arcade On the Radio

― Star Cauliflower (Star Cauliflower), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait, are people saying they sound like TV on the Radio? I don't hear it. Or was that a hype comparison?

I think it's a pretty excellent record. It reminds me musically of the Walkmen (with the broken, reverby toy pianos) with Neutral Milk Hotel's vivid, storytelling lyrics on top.
I could see them being called "Godspeed You Black Emperor trying to make a top 40 record," too.
The Broken Social Scene comparison is definitely legit, but I find this album to be much warmer, and with stronger melodies.
I have had the line from the first song where he goes "yeaaaah, a tunnel..." in my head for the past week.
I would like to see how they sound live.

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

what a terrible name, though

what'r two good songs to download for a general idea?

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

It's in the Top 5....I think it succeds by varying its focus and intensity...great sequencing...as was said before, they know how to back off and balance the emotional effects...its only flaws are two mid-tempo drags, but the heights certainly overwhelm the sluggish points in this case

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

xxpost. Yeah I was just comparing the hype. BSS has not really stuck with me at all. Thought it was brilliant for a very short period of time. Silly me.

― Star Cauliflower (Star Cauliflower), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

two songs....Wake Up (which is at Insound) and Neighborhood #1:Tunnel

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

got 'em. right on, thanks. will report black

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, it's really good. Maybe not album of the year but in the top 10. I don't know where people are getting the Broken Social Scene comparison. Ok, they're both Canadian. So? That doesn't mean they sound anything more like BSS than they would Bryan Adams.

Some parts remind me of the Wrens (probably the crappy recording)and the guy's voice reminds me of David Byrne and Andy Partridge but don't let that scare you. I've really enjoyed this album.

― righteousmaelstrom, Tuesday, 21 September 2004 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

"headlights look like diamonds" from their other record is pretty great. I wanna hear the new one though.

― Rollie Pemberton (Rollie Pemberton), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the BSS comparison comes from Pitchfork wild enthusiasm for both bands. I have yet to hear The Arcade Fire. Look forward to it, though.

― Star Cauliflower (Star Cauliflower), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I forget how to post a link, but...your welcome:
http://www.cimeris.com/The%20Arcade%20Fire/Funeral/

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

how convenient

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

this album definitely made me go HOLY CRAP, especially the first song, when the drums kick in all krautrock-y

― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:29 (twenty-one years ago)

very emotional.. nice changes.. dark

― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I think it's awful good and I'm about as resistant to indie style rock as they come.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

If they come to yr town, do not miss them, their live show is fantastic.

― Elliot (Elliot), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Took me several listens to get into this one...a lot of the power comes from album cohesion, which isn't immediately apparent. It's also what sets this album apart from something like "You Forgot It In People".

― nameom (nameom), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

just because a band is from canada and have a large rotating line up means they sound like BSS? wtf?

― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:16 (twenty-one years ago)

JEEZ LOUISE!

― Star Cauliflower (Star Cauliflower), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Listening to the first song right now. Seems pretty blase to me.
Decent.

― Magic City (ano ano), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:49 (twenty-one years ago)

you probably didn't get to that part where the drums get RAD

― cutty (mcutt), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, crap, this is really good.

I need LESS records, not more! LESS! And the ones I buy can't be, like, NEW ones!

Christ.

Oh well, yeah this rules. I'm surprised / impressed

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

To paraphrase ol' Preznit Bush, "The reason we keep insisting that there is a link between BSS and The Arcade Fire is because there IS a link between BSS and The Arcade Fire!"

Yes, there are the surface similarities - Canuck collectives and all (with sporadic appearances by a pretty-voiced indie lady to sing a song or 2) --- but the albums also have very similar production. The guitars could be played through the same amps with the same reverb settings. And then when they take the reverb off, the guitar sounds still match -- compare the Haiti song by TAF to Pacific Theme (I think) by BSS.... anyone could think they were by the same band.

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 23:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm listening to snippets right now and I don't really hear much of anything BSS other than they're both indie-rock. However, I very much hear the direct influence of Echo & The Bunnymen (and not just obviously the vocals).

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 00:03 (twenty-one years ago)

totally otm

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 00:04 (twenty-one years ago)

They're Bright Eyes for people who are too "cool" to admit to liking the doe-eyed Cornhusker. When's the Pitchfork hajj to Manitoba?

― edgar frog, Wednesday, 22 September 2004 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Huh? I like Bright Eyes...

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

This is a winner. Chicago ILXers: they're playing the Empty Bottle Nov 26. Should be a good post-Thanksgiving Day treat.

― Asthmatic Cajun (Asthmatic Cajun), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 00:43 (twenty-one years ago)

cheap too, 8 bucks!

― Jeff-PTTL (Jeff), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I've also become a fan of the album, though I was a little skeptical of the hype. I've got plans to see them in Guelph, Ontario at the end of the month.

― Bruce S. Urquhart (BanjoMania), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think this is the best record of the year by any means, but it certainly deserves some sort of accolades and success as it is very very good. "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" is one of the best indie tracks I've heard this year.

And, for the record: hype having any affect on one's liking of a band/album/song is DUD

― lemin (lemin), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Since the bulk of the people who were suspicious of the album's hype seem to quite like the album, it didn't have much of an effect on the liking. But with every third album being touted as earth-shatteringly brilliant, a few of us can be a touch cynical.
But, for the most part, we still reserve judgment.

― Bruce S. Urquhart (BanjoMania), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm pretty underwhelmed by these guys. They sound ok, I guess, but the hype sure doesn't help. And neither do the wacky comparisons to Neutral Milk Hotel.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the word i was looking for was "effect". or "bearing" or something. ahem.
I do think it's a fine line though. Getting excited over a record is okay, but claiming it's utter superiority to anything else released in a long time ... whatever. Fine line. If everybody could form their own opinions without being told what to think by anyone else- now that would be an ideal world.

xpost

― lemin (lemin), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:50 (twenty-one years ago)

the comparison of the arcade fire to NMH is more a comparison of the cohesiveness of the album and the familial subject matter of the lyrics, than it is a comparison to what NMH actually sounds like... (IMHO.)

― cutty (mcutt), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 01:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Initial thoughts: I see where the GYBE comments are coming from (moreso from the "A Silver Mt. Zion"-esque singing than from the music itself). But this album isn't grabbing me the way the BSS album did, I don't think the hooks are nearly as strong on "Funeral".

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the hooks are pretty strong..."Power Out" is one of the catchiest indie tracks of the year. Also, AF's lyrics are consistently compelling, which is more than can be said of BSS...I think the powerful lyrical drive of "Funeral" has been largely overlooked.

― nameom (nameom), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:43 (twenty-one years ago)

oh Disintergration Loops came out last year, fyi

― harshaw (jube), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:43 (twenty-one years ago)

re: soundslikes

When I spoke to Win in March or so, he said he thought (hoped?) that the BSS and Flaming Lips comparisons would go out the window once the album was recorded and released. He was all about channelling the Talking Heads and Depeche Mode (and i guess a bit of the Sugacubes).

I think it's absolutely great, and although I got tired of it after a week I left it for two and now it's been in my CD player for like two weeks straight. But if you read my blog you know all that.

They played with The Wrens back in March, and very almost signed to Absolutely Kosher. (Also almost signed with the Unicorns on Alien8.) But, clearly, didn't.

― Sean M (Sean M), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Um, I just heard this album end to end and ...

meh...

why am I supposed to be impressed?

― ex-jeremy (x Jeremy), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:52 (twenty-one years ago)

because it's not Blueberry Boat I reckon...

― harshaw (jube), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

had me (mostly) fooled.

― ex-jeremy (x Jeremy), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 04:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 22 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I'm talking about not being able to enjoy music that is out of tune. In this case, the vocals being out of tonal synchronicity with the other instruments. And no, I do not listen to music for pure technicalities, but my ears demand its being in tune. In fact, my taste in music is the entire opposite of the "schmaltz" you mention in such "great" singers as Celine Dion, et al. (I'd argue Celine Dion ISN'T a great singer, by the way.) I like eerieness and dissonance.

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 17:57 (twenty-one years ago)

It's good but the Electrelane LP is better.

― I'm American, Wednesday, 22 September 2004 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

For example, vocals aside; despite my enjoyment of Amon Tobin, there are certain bass parts in his record Bricolage that are out of tune. Whenever I listen to them, I feel nauseous.

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

And perhaps my saying it's the "most annoying record of the year" is an overstatement. I just think it's tiring, the fact that Pitchfork seems to have recently acquired this agenda to hype this "new rock" thing which isn't happening at all. (All due respects to dleone, who does seem to have ears and a sense of honesty.)

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 18:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus, man, what happens when somebody puts on The Shaggs?!
I guess I'll just consider myself fortunate to not have this curse! Re: Celine, I just assumed she is seen as techincally good, with all those bendy histrionics and crotch-cringing vibrato.

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, I don't want to give the impression that I'm this operatic snob, though. Ha, ha. I really like Can...but then again, they made music which was in tune. :-)

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

salvador, i don't understand how you can say things like "I like eerieness and dissonance." and actually have a PROBLEM with out of tune vocals. there's nothing more eerie or dissonant than things that are out of tune.

― Felonious Drunk (Felcher), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Theres an early Talking Heads vibe I get as well...but in a looser way. Are they being hyped other than people saying that the record is good ? Its not like they are whoring themselves or in all glossy magazines... its a good & worthy record. Album of the year....who's to say ? but it coming out in the fall will give it a distinct advantage for year end critics picks..

― me, Wednesday, 22 September 2004 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

(yawn)

― 57 7th (calstars), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Is there a 'Best Record of 2004' thread? Summer in Abbadon gets my vote.

― 57 7th (calstars), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Go ahead and add "(yawn)" to the list of intolerable jaded robot hipster cliches on ILM threads.

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 20:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Felonious Drunk, out-of-tuneness is dissonant to music in itself. I like MUSICAL dissonance. Is this concept so alien to you?

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Thursday, 23 September 2004 00:02 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, so I've been, ahem, "absorbing' this record for the past 24 hours - it IS good, but a certain Oberst-ness is starting to make itself very clear. I DID kinda like Fevers & Mirrors a bit, and that's the era of Bright Eyes this reminds me of, but the 'verge of tears' vocal style is a wee bit grating after a couple of listens, no?

The opening of the record is a direct Walkmen rip, isn't it?

the second song totally reminds me of Yummy Fur / Male Nurse!

― roger adultery (roger adultery), Thursday, 23 September 2004 05:32 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah the piano sound is reminiscent of "we've been had".

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 23 September 2004 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm going to say this again: Echo & the Bunnymen.

Actually, I'm enjoying this album as a kind of baroque Pulp-y thing - also reminds me of The Dears a bit.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 23 September 2004 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

"I just think it's tiring, the fact that Pitchfork seems to have recently acquired this agenda to hype this "new rock" thing which isn't happening at all."

i'm ignorant, can you explain this in more detail? what exactly is this "new rock"? i mean, do you literally mean any rock albums which have are recent and not old, or does that term refer to a certain style? what other examples are there, and what makes you think its an "agenda" being pushed rather than people just liking the records? just wondering, thanks.

― vb, Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

The Rapture, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, The Fiery Furnaces, The Arcade Fire --- I could list endless examples of bands being overrated by Pitchfork as of late. But it's just my opinion, anyway.

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

If they could all just get themselves in tune.... WOULD IT KILL THEM TO GET IN TUNE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
(Sorry, dude, I couldn't resist).

― Taxi Dancing in the Soft Prison (Ben Boyer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 23:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Salvador: I see what you mean.

Personally, pf generally shares my tastes. Very good examples though: I could never get into The Rapture or Franz Ferdinand. The Fiery Furnaces record was enjoyable, but it's not something I find myself rushing back to - I think I've still only listened to it once. And I guess I did sense a bit of "hyping" on that one - something about the line "one of indie rock's most ambitious statements in years" makes me feel like they really wanted to like it, and they might as well have capitalized "indie rock" in that sentence.

However, I actually love the first Interpol LP (just recently got it) and think the Arcade Fire album is great so far. If not 9.7-great, i wouldn't drop it by more than a full point. The same thing goes for ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags and Codes. It's very hard to argue that it deserved a 10.0, but it really was an excellent album in my opinion, 9.x worthy to be sure. But I'm sure there was already a thread about that two years ago.

Anyway, you're right, it's just a matter of opinion. Thanks for the clarification.

― vb, Friday, 24 September 2004 02:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I hardly ever post over here because you music pedants scare me but...I like these guys. I REALLY like them. I saw them open for another band about a year ago and can attest that they're one of the few bands that sounds better live than recorded. They sound different and honest and sincere and all that jazz. I hadn't noticed them getting hyped, but if they are, it's deserved.

― mouse (mouse), Friday, 24 September 2004 03:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Hm...salvador, your "as of late" spans a period of two years...I don't really see a strong connection. What you've suggested is a general distaste for indie rock, which is certainly common, but may prevent accepting AF on their own terms. As far as indie rock in 2004 is concerned, "Funeral" is clearly an excellent (and popular) release.

― nameom (nameom), Friday, 24 September 2004 04:31 (twenty-one years ago)

you music pedants scare me

Rolling 2004 Dictionary Thread to thread

― harshaw (jube), Friday, 24 September 2004 06:26 (twenty-one years ago)

it´s a good record. Maybe not record of the year, but still very good. And "Rebellion (lies)" is already a classic indie anthem in my book.

― dr do-good, Friday, 24 September 2004 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

There's a good article about them here.

― Elliot (Elliot), Friday, 24 September 2004 14:05 (twenty-one years ago)

nameom, why is it good?

― Salvador Saca (Mr. Xolotl), Friday, 24 September 2004 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I think that the album is sonically majestic (and unique...a lot of the band comparisons don't quite work, particularly BSS and Shins) and lyrically and conceptually powerful--that last distinction tends to get glossed over because of Butler's vocal timbre. It's well-constructed pop (beautiful arrangements, memorable hooks, etc.), but the emotions and arguments conveyed are what make it really compelling, and what tends to incite passion for the album instead of abstract appreciation. But the emotional weight depends on an acceptance of what you describe as "new rock" sound.

― nameom (nameom), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Just got it and love it. Not much more to add, but just to cast my vote...I find it quite an emotional record.

― paulhw (paulhw), Friday, 15 October 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

holy shit. the NYC arcade fire/hidden cameras show for nov.11 is already sold out. who's got an extra ticket for me?

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 18 October 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

NYTimes review of their CMJ shows, and "indie flavor of the week" hype, is here.

― Nancy Boy (scottkundla), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

i suck your dick for a ticket

― phil-two (phil-two), Saturday, 23 October 2004 01:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Get in line.

(I mean, lots of people want tickets not get in line to get your BJ)

I really didn't want to like this record.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Saturday, 23 October 2004 01:26 (twenty-one years ago)

aaron, you at home or school? theres going to be fun at the delancey tonite. dan selzer's playing records for the cabaret voltaire party. and i think somehow its going to be also a pretty girls make graves/death cab afterparty, or something.

― phil-two (phil-two), Saturday, 23 October 2004 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

> i don't understand how you can say things like "I like eerieness and dissonance." and actually have a PROBLEM with out of tune vocals.

A singer who is out of tune because he or she isn't actually able to accurately hit the notes is not enjoyable to listen to, at least for people who themselves possess some inherent musicality. (Viz Electrelane, who I find unendurable.)
There's a world of difference between that kind of ineptitude and the ability of a highly talented vocalist to deliberately introduce dissonance for effect.

― Palomino (Palomino), Saturday, 23 October 2004 11:48 (twenty-one years ago)

still looking to suck a dick

― phil-two (phil-two), Sunday, 24 October 2004 00:36 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

How many Dream Academy albums do you think these guys have?

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 17 November 2004 23:07 (twenty years ago)

The best track is "Meth Of A Rockette's Kick" (Isaac Brock remix)

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 17 November 2004 23:09 (twenty years ago)

Sorry, had to let a little snark out.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 17 November 2004 23:11 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

just listening to this for the first time and had to note how the chick sounds like miss piggy on "in the back seat".

― john'n'chicago, Tuesday, 4 January 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

oh Disintergration Loops came out last year, fyi
*checks*
You're right, the full set was released last year, I thought it was early this year. Oh well.

-- MindInRewind (brune...), September 22nd, 2004 2:25 AM

I'm still a bit riled up about Stylus and PF putting "The Disintegration Loops" on their 2004 lists, considering I "had" to leave it off of mine.

My opinion of this album sure changed a lot from that first impression. I still stand behind my Blondie comment, though.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 6 January 2005 05:52 (twenty years ago)

er, "this album" = "Funeral", of course

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 6 January 2005 05:53 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

***************%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

― Steve Gertz (sgertz), Friday, 4 March 2005 00:35 (twenty years ago)

"rebellion" is an andrew wk song trapped in an arcade fire song's body.

― jermaine (jnoble), Saturday, 12 March 2005 00:37 (twenty years ago)

salvador saca makes me laugh. reminds me of half the music fans i knew in college...

― marc h., Saturday, 12 March 2005 04:18 (twenty years ago)

funeral is pretty bad, though

― honor stoles, Saturday, 12 March 2005 04:36 (twenty years ago)

two months pass...

I love this, but I haven't got a fucking clue who most of these bands they're compared to here are.

Am I right in thinking that 'Neighbourhood 3' or whatver it's called is based on a sample from 'Touched by the hand of God'? I think I might just be.

― rwillmsen (rwillmsen), Monday, 30 May 2005 05:12 (twenty years ago)

I keep trying, recommendation after recommendation, but I still hate this record...vocals are unlistenable, emotionally overwraught, etc.

The interesting thing is that everyone who raves about this keeps telling me that the reason I don't "get it" is because you have to listen to the album as a whole, and talks about the whole dead parent backstory or whatever. I just did that, and I still can't imagine taking the time to listen to it again...do I need the lyrics sheet in front of me to understand the love?

Seriously, what am I missing? Is this another one of those "Polyphonic Spree" moments where i spend a year trying to figure out the hype, and then no-one gives a shit about them anymore?

(Singer fella still reminds me of Roger Waters on "The Final Cut", caterwauling away on that "Maggie what have we done?" line, by the way...any more takers on this theory/connection?)

― John Justen (johnjusten), Monday, 30 May 2005 05:55 (twenty years ago)

This is nonsense. The backstory is irrelevant, and the album's full of singles.

What it comes down to is that the way to enjoy the album is to hear it as desperate, urgent, fierce, but not as "overwrought". It's emotional, yeah, but it's not stupid emo crap. The lyrics are strong, and they suggest the feelings of regret/hope/longing that come with a shift from childhood to adulthood, or something. It's a record about loss, it's a eulogy, but it needn't have anything to do with "dead people". (It's also, in places, a WHOLE lot of fun.)

I think they are a MUCH better band - and this is a MUCH better record - than the Polyphonic Spree ('s albums).

also: Having been listening to it a lot lately, see: Neil Young's Harvest.

― Sean M (Sean M), Monday, 30 May 2005 06:00 (twenty years ago)

YES! for 2004 at least.

― BeeOK (boo radley), Monday, 30 May 2005 06:03 (twenty years ago)

...and they are very convincing live.
(Hands off The Polyphonic Spree!)

― zeus, Monday, 30 May 2005 06:09 (twenty years ago)

Am I right in thinking that 'Neighbourhood 3' or whatver it's called is based on a sample from 'Touched by the hand of God'?

no. the riff is similar, but that's all.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Monday, 30 May 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

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