Arcade Fire – The Suburbs – Album review from modmove

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Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
If gathering up media accolades and illustrious comparisons would temper most band’s mission statement, Arcade Fire have side stepped the issue almost entirely with The Suburbs. It sounds like nothing less than a personal recollection of the building blocks of a childhood spent in suburbia be it good or bad. Setting a goal of something less than grandiose has resulted in something actually quite grand.

The band continues with their ability to build songs with less than obvious hooks that utterly charm you with melodic moments and lyrical invention that gets under your skin. The outcome is an appeal that feels more genuine and less manipulative. This results in songs with lasting appeal like The Suburbs, Modern Man, Rococo and City With No Children.

Stacking the first half of the album with more radio friendly songs gives the band the luxury of exploring a second half filled with more moments of experimentation while still giving the industry something to work with. The more immediate first half hooks you, while the second half keeps you coming back for more.

Filling a band with multi-instrumentalists, clever lyricists and friends that share a common goal has worked so far for Arcade Fire and the new work continues that appealing approach.
Rob Hudson
www.arcadefire.com

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