Neon Bible

After I fell in love with 2004's Funeral, I snagged this album as soon as it was released. Initially I was bored and very disappointed, so I ignored it for awhile. Eventually I picked it up again, gave it another chance, and now it's one of my favorite albums; I guess it's an acquired taste? I believe Antichrist Television Blues, in particular, is about Jessica Simpson's father, although it could apply to many others in this age. Other good tracks: Neon Bible, The Well and the Lighthouse.

Neon Bible, produced by Arcade Fire, resonates with its profound lyrics. I particularly enjoyed the various musical instruments that accompanied the large band, and how the instruments, such as the pipe organ, contributes to the mood and theme the band is attempting to convey. The themes expressed in the songs reflect issues that are prevalent in society today, such as the impersonal nature of a materialistic lifestyle and the hypocritical nature of figures in authority.

In a musical environment brimming with shallow and syrupy pop songs, it is incredibly refreshing to hear music that deals with issues that are more important than the typical teen romance. I can sense that the songs were derived with legitimate emotion and concern for the impending society. Although the themes are for the most part dark, they strike me as very real, with the metaphors and imagery illustrating messages that everyone involved in societal issues can relate to.

If you are looking for cd produced for merely commercial benefits, then do not purchase or listen to this cd. This work of art is meant for deep thinkers, who enjoy musical talent accompanied by soulful lyrics. The unification of this band, which consists of many members led by Win Butler, is striking. Neon Bible is an indie production that is sure to please music lovers looking to be enlightened and inspired.

Quite good but not as good as I expected and how it is rated...maybe keeping on listening I will change my mind. Maybe.

Recently discovered this band and I must say this is something special! At age 48 I have heard so much stuff and over the past years I thought I had just gotten too old (as it would be presumptuous to claim that modern music is going nowhere fast). So for those that listened and still listen to Prefab Sprout, Joy Division and even New Order, for those that enjoyed Echo and the Bunnymen's Heaven Up Here, well, check out these kids from Canada. It might just blow you away. Yes, the production is not always perfect, but these issues are just dwarfed by the great lyrics and the excellent timing of each element in the compositions. If you want to try it out with a download of a song or two, I suggest that you go for:
1. No cars go
2. Keep the car running
3. Antichrist television blues
4. Windowsill
Each of these songs have different elements to them and the lyrics on Windowsill just freaked me out ("you can't forgive what you can't forget")!
Enough already, have to get back to my iPod and this "urgent" music.

*Review from a Classic Rock fan
I really felt that this album is much more diverse than Funeral. Whereas Funeral seemed to have an overall sound to it, this album makes it all much more interesting, adding a lot of organ and orchestral pieces. It starts and ends wonderfully, with "Black Mirror" in the beginning setting the stage for what is to come, and ending with "No Cars Go" (featured in Top Gear) and "My Body Is A Cage," which I loved and is my favorite song off the album. The structure of this song alone makes it great, but it is so much more than that, just like with the rest of the album.