It all started with a live performance I caught on UK TV’s only serious terrestrial modern music show, Later. The Arcade Fire (a collective of American musicians now residing in Canada) dazzled with its inventiveness, adventure, passion and consummate skill. In short, I was blown away. But then I started to wonder why we had not heard about this new band, and why no review material had been received. While I tried to find out who was distributing the band’s music in the UK Chris Martin declared his love for the band during a TV interview. I finally last-resorted it and went into a local HMV music store and discovered that Rough Trade was handling the band’s recordings over here.

In the absence of record company contact I went to my old friend Mr Ebay where there was an abundance of ‘promotional’ copies of the new album up for sale. As I type this FUNERAL is playing for the umpteenth time since I received it just a few days ago. It’s an amazing album and I just wonder what Chris Martin really felt about his own new album after hearing this… The Arcade Fire album should be the number one global album chart smash, but of course it isn’t. Why? The answer probably is something to do with lack of airplay, and the UK media’s obsession with musical mediocrity.

We all know that a single can sell an album on both sides of the Atlantic, but particularly here in the UK. So here’s my tip for the band: release track 9 Rebellion (Lies) as the first single and make sure every fucking radio station gets it. It’s a rhythmic, melodic, lyrical and performance tour de force and will soar to the top of the single charts (backed by live performances of course on TV). Hang on! Maybe it should be opener Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels), an epic, piano led rock/pop tune, and perhaps one of the most powerful songs to open an album in 2005. The song has everything including a strong sense of emotion, great vocal choruses and excellent lyrics. If you can imagine a mix of Flaming Lips, Doves, REM and Plyphonic Spree then you’re getting close to the sound this band makes. Track three Une Annee Sans Lumiere is an utterly beautiful, gently flowing, contemplative song until the final minute when the accelerator is floored and an instrumental stampede ensues led by a rampart guitar. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) sustains the quicker pace while maintaining the strongest possible melody. It’s a song that sounds epic, cinematic with instrumental twists and turns, and a vocal that veers between pop and punk. It’s extraordinary.

FUNERAL is one of those albums that catches you unawares and won’t let go. I’ve played nothing else since I received it and have now bought a new six-track EP. There’s diverse pace including the funereal, highly emotional and totally magical Crown Of Love, that includes a parting segment of ELO style instrumentals. There’s the deliciously acoustic Haiti and fragile In The Backseat where Win Butler’s voice hits impossibly high notes as keyboards and strings twinkle like the brightest stars. There have been some excellent albums in 2005 but few can match the unique and compelling sounds of this one. Buy it and prepare to become addicted.

5/5