“The Suburbs” Arcade Fire
In this epic-length CD (16 tracks, more than 64 minutes of music), Canadian indie rockers, Arcade Fire, set out to examine the way of life that is often seen in TV sitcoms: living in the suburbs. The result is a piece of work that while lyrically repetitive at times, has received generally favorable reviews and rewards listeners with Arcade Fire’s strong melodies backed by ringing guitars, pounding pianos, strong drum lines, and synthesized strings. Lots of excellent tracks to choose from. No FCCs detected.
— Francis
Recommended: 2, 1, 13, 15, 11, 6

1. (5:15) Bouncy acoustic guitar and player piano in this Grateful Dead-like opener, marked by Win Butler’s falsetto lead vocals. ***
2. (4:16) Ringing guitars and pulsing bass line, driven by a solid backbeat. Lyrics warn of “businessmen [who] drink my blood”. Very strong hook. ****
3. (4:40) Midtempo folk-rock feel with interesting time signature changes like “a record that’s skipping, like a clock that’s ticking”.
4. (3:57) A somewhat ominous sound, with repeated chanting of the title “Rococo”.
5. (2:52) Starts with string flourishes, then driven ahead by an urgent rhythm. Female harmonies on the chorus.
6. (3:12) Is that Bruce Springsteen I hear? Of course not — but he could have written and sung this Bru-u-u-ce-like epic. ***
7. (4:14) “Half Light I” Slow dance. Uplifting melody. Strings everywhere, like a 1950s ballad.
8. (4:27) “Half Light II” Pulsing synthesizer mixed with strings, answering the orchestral feeling of “Half Light I”
9. (4:45) Bell-like guitar and Bruce Springsteen vocals again, building to a highly produced chorus and even more highly produced ending. **
10. (3:51) Driving, Neil Young-like garage-rock. **
11. (3:21) A slower, country-rock flavor to this catchy melody. Female “Da-da-da-da’s) add to the charm of the tune. ***
12. (4:28) Orchestrated triplets, piano and staccato snare drum underscore the high vocal line.
13. (5:01) Starts off with plinking piano. Another strong, hooky melody. ***
14. (2:54) Melancholy feeling in this ballad beautifully sung by Butler. Somewhat reminiscent of “She’s Leaving Home” on the Beatles “Sgt. Peppers”
15. (5:26) Counterpoint to #14, marked by Régine Chassagne’s high, light vocals and playful synth lines. Has a 1980s girl band feel. ***
16. (1:28) Short, orchestrated reprise to opening “Suburbs” track.