Arcade Fire-the band that rocks
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Life & Leisure
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How he sees it
Zachary Huff
I recall a long time ago, way back in March of this year, when "Neon Bible" dropped. It was unavoidable; every facet of the media workings in America crammed it down our throats.
The Arcade Fire was on EVERY magazine cover. News stations ran stories EVERY hour about how monumental the band was. EVERY cool celebrity felt compelled to name drop the band whenever they were interviewed.
My parents had even heard of them. They had no idea who they were, but they knew the name "The Arcade Fire" and it's seemingly gigantic social impact.
Why? Did they cure cancer? Did they end world hunger? Did they finally achieve world peace?
No. They released their sophomore album.
Now, with the massive amount of fanfare they received, I was expecting the second coming of Christ for the musical world. Another "White Album" or at the very least, Axl Rose's release of "Chinese Democracy." Once again, the answer was a no.
So why, then, do people fawn for The Arcade Fire? They must be unique, right? Let's find out…
Alright, they have an accordion player in the band. That has to be unique for a rock band. And it would have been, if The Decemberists hadn't done it first.
Strike one.
Well, they are Canadian. And we Americans have a distinct disdain for Canadians. So commercial success from citizens of that big country in the north must be something new. I guess if you ignore bands like The Guess Who, Rush, Hot Hot Heat and Alanis Morissette, that assumption would be pretty good.
Strike two.
Um… Wil Butler lays down some pretty whiny vocals. Just like any screamo band out there. This is harder than I thought it would be.
Strike 3.
Oh! They allow fans to kill the band's lead singer on their fancy flash website ( www.beonlineb.com ). Yeah, no other band has ever thought of something like that. Except The Faint, with their website www.dropkickthefaint.com . Damn.
Zachary Huff
I recall a long time ago, way back in March of this year, when "Neon Bible" dropped. It was unavoidable; every facet of the media workings in America crammed it down our throats.
The Arcade Fire was on EVERY magazine cover. News stations ran stories EVERY hour about how monumental the band was. EVERY cool celebrity felt compelled to name drop the band whenever they were interviewed.
My parents had even heard of them. They had no idea who they were, but they knew the name "The Arcade Fire" and it's seemingly gigantic social impact.
Why? Did they cure cancer? Did they end world hunger? Did they finally achieve world peace?
No. They released their sophomore album.
Now, with the massive amount of fanfare they received, I was expecting the second coming of Christ for the musical world. Another "White Album" or at the very least, Axl Rose's release of "Chinese Democracy." Once again, the answer was a no.
So why, then, do people fawn for The Arcade Fire? They must be unique, right? Let's find out…
Alright, they have an accordion player in the band. That has to be unique for a rock band. And it would have been, if The Decemberists hadn't done it first.
Strike one.
Well, they are Canadian. And we Americans have a distinct disdain for Canadians. So commercial success from citizens of that big country in the north must be something new. I guess if you ignore bands like The Guess Who, Rush, Hot Hot Heat and Alanis Morissette, that assumption would be pretty good.
Strike two.
Um… Wil Butler lays down some pretty whiny vocals. Just like any screamo band out there. This is harder than I thought it would be.
Strike 3.
Oh! They allow fans to kill the band's lead singer on their fancy flash website ( www.beonlineb.com ). Yeah, no other band has ever thought of something like that. Except The Faint, with their website www.dropkickthefaint.com . Damn.
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