The Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
The Arcade Fire aren't just musicians they are magicians. They don't just write music they caste it, over and over until the spell has taken over. And while we were all fond of the nostalgic, sad, wonderfully and uniquely beautiful premiere spell that was Funeral, Neon Bible has arrived and is here to stay. It has set its 4,000 pound stone stage on your shores...forever. They'll croon and slam at their instruments while the fuckin' sea tumbles furiously at their feet and black clouds roar and shake above. At least, that's the scene that album opener "Black Mirror" has set for itself--and what a scene it is. Here comes the new Mr. Butler (same as the old Mr. Butler) who is so ready for the future that he "forgets his name after he's told it you cause he doesn't know where and he doesn't know when but its coming! (keep the car running)." He's sick of working for the church while his family dies and he cant stand to watch his brothers and sisters in the ghettos eating off of hundred dollar plates. But as much as Butler is tired of the fear, loneliness and doubt invading and poisoning our world he also feels the hope inside begging to take over it all. His band seems to agree with him for while they seems to be overtly in the mood to haunt it isn't to scare YOU but the demons inside. For behind all the reverb, goth and scary background synths....is a throbbing bleeding heart that loves. The organs scream, violins sweep through and around and away (your breath that is), Mr. Butler swoons and wails prophecies, declarations of love and hate, the guitars swim furiously or obediently with the driving (yet wonderfully alive) rhythm section to take you to that place you need to go. Where all the "little babies, women, children and old folks" are going. They don't know here yet but they've gotta try. And as old Winny sits on the steps of the church and sings into the night alone (he actually did this for the recording of "My Body is a Cage") he tells us why. To set our bodies and spirits free. GO FOR IT YOUR MIND HOLDS THE KEY!
-Andre Harris, 2008
Where is the rest of the list?
Posted by: | 2008.02.18 at 17:30
They are on the way. All the contributors have run into snags, the major ones which follow:
1. Closing on a house in another state and multiple flights back and forth.
2. Somewhat deadly illness.
3. Auditions and callbacks at Julliard.
4. Drugs, massive amounts of them.
Posted by: TFO Moderator | 2008.02.18 at 18:11