This past weekend, I had some drive time, which I actually kind of enjoy. Sure, sitting in the car gets old after a while, but the first two hours are usually kind of pleasant, some time to be alone and just listen to music without any distractions. Also I can sing in the car and nobody will tell me to knock it off.
Anyway, I listened to three albums and a little bit of radio on the road, so have some thoughts.
The New Pornographers - Challengers - Not sure why I picked this album but it was a good choice. I maintain my belief that it might be the most serious of the NP's albums, and possibly the least important, but it's still worth listening to. It only has pinches of the frantic energy that Mass Romantic (and to a slightly lesser extent, Electric Version) hit us with, and it hardly compares to the drums and seamless ambition of Twin Cinema, but it's still got something going for it.
Fiona Apple - Tidal - Now, I feel badly about this one. I think Fiona Apple is talented, and she seems to be less appreciated every year. Her song catalog is wildly uneven - there are plenty of 'oh skip this' songs on her albums, but her best songs would make an old woman steal. Having said that, Tidal has some strong moments, places in time that were once transcendent but have dried and not aged as well as I would have liked. I can't say I dislike this album, but it wasn't a good choice to listen to after Challengers, and probably isn't a good driving album in general. Sorry, Fiona. Call me.
Arcade Fire - Funeral - There probably isn't any new insight on this album, but having taken some time away from it, my perspective is strangely unchanged. I would say the album has aged a little, but it's still enjoyable if emotionally draining to listen to. The songs here are wonderful (except for the album closer, which I probably never will warm up to), though I can't say I'm always in the mood for the Arcade Fire's particular brand of bleeding-heart music. Still, an album so personal and revealing is rare, and if you listen to this and can't enjoy any of it, you might be more of a music snob than even me.
Side Note: I found Funeral one day at Best Buy for $7; that same day, I also bought Cat Power's The Greatest and Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, having only a passing familiarity with each album. Needless to say, I won that day handily.
Other Notes:
Why the hell does Omaha get a dedicated jazz station? I don't mean a lite/smooth/khakis-and-stupid-boat-shoes/jazz station, but a station that recognizes people like Thelonious Monk? Kiss my ass, Omaha. I want a jazz station.
In Other News:
I tried very hard to be good this weekend and failed only once, I think. I owe someone an apology; I didn't do anything wrong, but I could have done more for this person and I didn't, mostly because I second-guessed myself too much. I don't think this person is even mad at me, but I feel that I let someone down. Maybe I just worry too much.
I did some decent things this weekend, though. Just don't look at me like I ride a white horse.
Homemade banana bread makes everything better.
Showing posts with label Arcade Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arcade Fire. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Neon Bible
Today's Music That Jason Likes But Can't Quite Decide How He Feels About is Neon Bible, from the Arcade Fire. This is the group's second album, released earlier this year.
It's difficult to talk about Neon Bible without mentioning it in terms of Funeral. Whereas Funeral is a very intensely personal album, about life changing and loss, Neon Bible is a much broader album and more political. It took me a few listens to really get into it; the album didn't grab me right away. The songs are more layered and complicated, still very emotional and, dare I say, beautiful. It probably is more accessible than Funeral, even if it doesn't have quite the impact; this is a fine album and doesn't represent a radical departure from the Arcade Fire style. One criticism, though, is that Win Butler (the primary songwriter) does almost all the lead vocals on this album. On Funeral, Regine Chassagne (sp) had a number of vocal duties, but she is almost completely absent here, sadly. Still, I would recommend this album to almost anyone. Lots of good songs here, in particular "Intervention" and "Ocean of Noise". "Antichrist Television Blues" is another very good track, and probably has the best title of any song I can think of released in the past year.
So I guess I really can decide how I feel about this album. It is a letdown, but only in comparison to its amazing predecessor. Compared to almost anything else, it shines.
In other news:
I bought a car, a pretty nice one. I can't wait to drive it around a little bit.
I also sprained my foot today. It's painful, but nothing that will keep me from my regular routine.
It's difficult to talk about Neon Bible without mentioning it in terms of Funeral. Whereas Funeral is a very intensely personal album, about life changing and loss, Neon Bible is a much broader album and more political. It took me a few listens to really get into it; the album didn't grab me right away. The songs are more layered and complicated, still very emotional and, dare I say, beautiful. It probably is more accessible than Funeral, even if it doesn't have quite the impact; this is a fine album and doesn't represent a radical departure from the Arcade Fire style. One criticism, though, is that Win Butler (the primary songwriter) does almost all the lead vocals on this album. On Funeral, Regine Chassagne (sp) had a number of vocal duties, but she is almost completely absent here, sadly. Still, I would recommend this album to almost anyone. Lots of good songs here, in particular "Intervention" and "Ocean of Noise". "Antichrist Television Blues" is another very good track, and probably has the best title of any song I can think of released in the past year.
So I guess I really can decide how I feel about this album. It is a letdown, but only in comparison to its amazing predecessor. Compared to almost anything else, it shines.
In other news:
I bought a car, a pretty nice one. I can't wait to drive it around a little bit.
I also sprained my foot today. It's painful, but nothing that will keep me from my regular routine.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Funeral.
Today's music is Funeral, by The Arcade Fire. I chose this because I went to the bar last night to work on my statement of philosophy for TKD testing, and the bartender played this album in its entirety. This really drew me in, as I am more of an album person than a single song person. Part of this is that I like to hear the complete work of the artist/group, and often enjoy the transitions between songs on albums such as Funeral; part of this is that when I am in the mood for something, I just want lots of it.
Funeral is the first full-length album produced by The Arcade Fire, and was it ever an indie-rock heavyweight. It makes fair use of piano and strings, though the guitar is probably the most prominent instrument. It's mostly moving, with a couple ballad-ish songs, and has been described as being "emotional without being emo" (sorry Jeph Jaques) for good reason. The more I think about this album, the more appropriate "Funeral" seems for a title. It has great songs, really swelling and uplifting at times, but it really takes something away from me to listen to this album. I didn't know anything about it when I bought it, really, just that one of my better music sources strongly recommended it, and I found it for $7 at Best Buy. To say the least, it really knocked me on my ass.
This music might be too cloying and emotional for some, but I really think it works. There are songs that I like better than others on the album, but even the weak links are strong works. Good lyrics, good drive, a great album altogether. (The CD even comes with a small funeral program, which is a nice touch.) This CD is not one I listen to often, but I am fond of it; rather, I listen to it sparsely so that the effect it has will not be dimished by time and repetition. "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is a marvelous song.
I was pleased to find that the recent Arcade Fire release, Neon Bible, was a fine album in its own right (maybe a stronger complete work than Funeral) as well. But that's discussion for another day.
In other news, I figured out what I am going to write about for TKD testing. I never really had doubts that I would find an idea, but I feel better having one. If you'd like to proofread my paper, I would welcome some criticism before I send it out to everyone.
Funeral is the first full-length album produced by The Arcade Fire, and was it ever an indie-rock heavyweight. It makes fair use of piano and strings, though the guitar is probably the most prominent instrument. It's mostly moving, with a couple ballad-ish songs, and has been described as being "emotional without being emo" (sorry Jeph Jaques) for good reason. The more I think about this album, the more appropriate "Funeral" seems for a title. It has great songs, really swelling and uplifting at times, but it really takes something away from me to listen to this album. I didn't know anything about it when I bought it, really, just that one of my better music sources strongly recommended it, and I found it for $7 at Best Buy. To say the least, it really knocked me on my ass.
This music might be too cloying and emotional for some, but I really think it works. There are songs that I like better than others on the album, but even the weak links are strong works. Good lyrics, good drive, a great album altogether. (The CD even comes with a small funeral program, which is a nice touch.) This CD is not one I listen to often, but I am fond of it; rather, I listen to it sparsely so that the effect it has will not be dimished by time and repetition. "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is a marvelous song.
I was pleased to find that the recent Arcade Fire release, Neon Bible, was a fine album in its own right (maybe a stronger complete work than Funeral) as well. But that's discussion for another day.
In other news, I figured out what I am going to write about for TKD testing. I never really had doubts that I would find an idea, but I feel better having one. If you'd like to proofread my paper, I would welcome some criticism before I send it out to everyone.
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