One newspaper review I read stated that “This is only their second proper album, but already Arcade Fire sound short of ideas.” The Arcade Fire’s last album FUNERAL was just a bit special for several important reasons, including that of displaying the band’s very distinctive and original sonic signature. But even more important was the band’s ability to translate that very complex sound to live performance – something they managed with spectacular success, and endeared them to a growing band of fans. The challenge of following up FUNERAL is rather like Radiohead trying to exceed the quality of OK COMPUTER, an impossible task. So what do you do? Well, you stick to the sonic landscape that works best for you on stage and in the studio, then it’s fingers crossed and just do your friggin’ best. And that’s precisely what Arcade Fire has done here…

NEON BIBLE holds few surprises in that the wheel has not been re-invented. First track Black Mirror hints strongly at a band in angrier and more cathartic mood. The deathly opening bass line leaves one in no doubt that ‘shock and awe’ is not far away. Sure enough the explosive choruses arrive and with them a much more complex soundscape than appeared on the last album. The band’s trademark melodic strength still dominates along with explicit and forthright lyrics (“Shot by a security camera/you can’t watch your own image… the black mirror knows no reflection/it knows not pride or vanity/it cares not about your dreams/it cares not for your pyramid dreams.”). Keep The Car Running could be straight off the last album and is pretty much as good as anything on it. Neon Bible is next up and offers up a different sound (slow paced, subtle bass rhythm) and is both compelling and one of the best here. Intervention ups the stakes even further with its opulent, dark Hammond introduction (and a sound that forms the backdrop to the whole song). The message is anti-war underpinned by the most expressive vocal that leaves one in no doubt as to the integrity and sincerity behind this song and record. This is one tune I can’t wait to hear live and is strong enough to be a single. Windowsill is another superb track that wanders away from that signature sound and sounds like something off a Neil Young record. The more conventional rock n’ roll sound is rounded off with some truly wonderful lyrics: “Don’t wanna live in my father’s house no more/don’t wanna fight in a holy war/don’t want the salesman knocking on my door/I don’t wanna live in America no more.” No Cars Go is heady mix of belted backing vocals, symphonic orchestrations and changes of pace. It’s a song that is difficult to describe but makes compelling listening. Finally, My Body Is A Cage takes a heavy blues route and contains one of the most interesting lyrical lines on the album: “I’m standing on a stage/of fear and self doubt/it’s a hollow play/but they’ll clap anyway.”

Frankly, I can’t think of a better follow-up album. There’s more inventiveness, diverse pace, with integrity and emotion oozing from every CD groove. This is an album that takes a few listens for its enormity and beauty to sink in, and when it does…

4.5/5