Who is Arcade Fire?

reblfan

Sorry if I offend anyone by not knowing who this band is, but I've only recently began to hear about them. How long have they been around and what type of music is it?

dunkman

3-4 years
genius

mwachsman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_fire

intodeep

their first album came out in late 04 (october i think) they put out and ep before that. They are from Montreal Canada. They get labled as an indie group.

Their first album has some bowie/talking heads influence i think and the newest one that came out yesterday has some springteenesqu sounds.

There are like 7 people in the band they have all your usual instruments then some organs/keys and a violinist that add and intersting texture to their songs.

If you want download a couple of their songs here are my suggestions from the albums:

Funeral (2004)
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
Neighborhood #3 (Poweout)
Rebellion (lies)

Neon Bible (2007)
intervention
antichrist television blues
no cars go

Their first album funeral got a lot of recognition. As it was being made 3-4 members of the band lost family members. Although not every song is about death every song seems to drip with emotion.

the new album came out yesterday so i'm still digesting it, but i like it a good bit.

hope that helps

lukins fridge

also have gotten much praise from Bowie and Mick Jagger (they've attended some shows). they're the real deal for sure.

highly recommended to anyone that likes independent rock music.

thankyougrandma

... but most of all, they're an amazing live act, for those who had a chance to see them, the tickets rartiy reminds me of a band in the early 90's .

Going to buy Neon Bible tonight, can't wait.

1STmammal2wearPants

only one of the best bands out there today.

reblfan

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely going to check them out...I just hate it has taken me this long to find out about them.

nutmeg81

saw em in Dublin on mobady night....frickin class! aint bought the new
record yet, so half the set was new to me.....but i enjoyed it none the
less!!
the EP was re-released after the success of Funeral sky-rocketed!

boroff89

Sawyer wrote:

probably the greatest live act right now.....yes, that includes PJ......phenomenal musicians

I put them at an equal level with Pearl Jam in terms of live shows, and that's saying something. They really are spectacular. Can't wait until June when I get to see them twice more in Berkeley.

toddiet123

A great band indeed. The new cd is on sale at target of all places for 7.98.

pjrvm

I'm just getting into Arcade Fire and I'm not too sure about them yet. Definitely talented. Definitely diffrent... definitely pretentious

AvocadoLady

pjrvm wrote:

I'm just getting into Arcade Fire and I'm not too sure about them yet. Definitely talented. Definitely diffrent... definitely pretentious

I hear ya...I'm not quite sure what to think of them either. There's a certain affectation about them that I can't get past. I'm seeing them at Sasquatch, though, and hoping they prove me wrong.

boroff89

pjrvm wrote:

I'm just getting into Arcade Fire and I'm not too sure about them yet. Definitely talented. Definitely diffrent... definitely pretentious

They actually come across as one of the least pretentious group of people you'll ever find. That's been my experience with their live shows anyway. They remind me a lot of Pearl Jam in the way that they engage and care about their fans. It's a beautiful thing.

AvocadoLady

You know what it is, it's the outfits.

intodeep

boroff89 wrote:

They actually come across as one of the least pretentious group of people you'll ever find. That's been my experience with their live shows anyway. They remind me a lot of Pearl Jam in the way that they engage and care about their fans. It's a beautiful thing.

Yeah i agree. I remember the first time i saw them in Jan of 05 for the last song 3 of the members got off the stage and came in the crowd playing their instruments to finish the show. Evidently they do that often and i just thought it was the coolest experience i was right down there and Win was right there.

pjrvm

I don't know about the shows, I just find the music itself a little pretentious... I mean calling all your songs "Neighbourhood #___"
they sorta seem like the type of band that if you love them great and if you don't you just don't "get it"
Same could be said for Radiohead I suppose, whom I do love.

boroff89

intodeep wrote:

Yeah i agree. I remember the first time i saw them in Jan of 05 for the last song 3 of the members got off the stage and came in the crowd playing their instruments to finish the show. Evidently they do that often and i just thought it was the coolest experience i was right down there and Win was right there.

When I saw them last, Win was so fired up by the crowd that he didn't want to stop playing. At the end of the show, he grabbed a guitar, dove into the crowd, and ran outside to Market St here in San Francisco. He played a few songs out on the street for anyone who cared to stop and listen. Definitely one of the coolest things I have ever seen a musician do.

AvocadoLady

boroff89 wrote:

When I saw them last, Win was so fired up by the crowd that he didn't want to stop playing. At the end of the show, he grabbed a guitar, dove into the crowd, and ran outside to Market St here in San Francisco. He played a few songs out on the street for anyone who cared to stop and listen. Definitely one of the coolest things I have ever seen a musician do.

Well, that's pretty cool. Even though I don't quite get the hype about their music, I'm definitely interested to see them live.