stevevt

The Arcade Fire's "Funeral" has been getting great reviews, but I don't think anyone's talked about it here. Did a search and found nothing.

So, anybody else have any impressions of this?

It's yet another one of those albums that gets better every time I hear it.

jonnyrocks

Totally!

I picked up this album from Merge, and it is gradually living up to the hype behind it with every listen.

I'm always a sucker for these bands that draw Neutral Milk Hotel comparisons (even though the only similarities are always the Magnumesque nasal vocal styling). They've got some strong songs on this album, and I'm looking forward to catching these guys play next month.

Ralph Wiggum

I picked this up yesterday and it is quickly growing on me.

sebastianv50

There is a ton of hype about this album. But the stuff I heard so far sounds good so maybe it's deserved.

Caliking

i want this album bad. im a big iTunes DL'r but they dont have it. ill have to get the cd of the net.

printerati

I'm (finally) picking it up after work today based on the strength of "Rebellion (Lies)" alone. That track has enjoyed decent airplay on 97X for the past couple of weeks.

Hollowgen

i was just thinking about starting a thread. i just listened to the album yesterday, and it's really something to be heard. i really can't stand neutral milk hotel, and like it was mentioned above, only see the similarity in the vocals. maybe. this cd is great!

printerati

I made it through the first five tracks on the way to work this morning. Their approach reminds me of Sparklehorse, which isn't what I was expecting...but I like Sparklehorse, so I'm not complaining. I'm anxious to listen to the second half, if only to see how they transition to the sound of the "Rebellion (Lies)" as the album progresses.

thebunk

I like the album but feel that they are trying to channel the career of the Flaming Lips on one album. You have the feedback-ladden rock of Transmissions from the Satelitte Heart and the pscyhadelia and experimentation of Yoshimi and The Soft Bulletin. Not bad at all, but I would only rate it a 8 so far.

In my opinion, Modest Mouse's "Good news for People who Love bad News" still rates number 1 for the year.

The Antipodean

Good stuff, I'm digging it.

Caliking

sooo frickin good! best album of the year so far! at least thats what i would say.

beats out ac newman, rogue wave, les savy fav, citizens here and abroad, sonic youth for my tops so far this year (ok...i'll admit it, i really liked kanye west too).

Neighborhood #2 is addicting!

Frank TJ Mackey

Simply fantastic.

I heard an EP of theirs last year and did not care for it.

But - wow - the "Funeral" album grabbed me from the
very beginning.

What a terrific listen this thing is.

Absolut

Agreed. Easily one of this years best.

stevevt

MP3s of the 11/12 show at TT the Bears in Boston here.

Hollowgen

thanks for that link! the whole page is great, although, i'm not sure how legal it is.

printerati

I missed tonight's concert at the Southgate House.

Hollowgen

maybe i also forgot to mention this: out of all 1,000+ albums that i have, this is in my top 3. i was blown away upon first listen. what music!

othermike

If you have a chance to see the band live, DO IT. Their show was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. Even better than the CD.. in fact, going home to listen to the CD was almost underwhelming after seeing how powerful their live show was.

pezsoup

I too forgot about the Southgate House show

Krazed

Nothing in the album comes close to the first four tracks. They should make an EP of those and "In the Backseat".

Gdrlv

Just bought this album today, and I love it. One of the best albums I've heard this year for sure. Nice to find a disc where the accolades are well deserved.

Hollowgen

just saw the band last night in seattle. what a show! the sound wasn't immaculate, or even that GREAT. but with all 8 band members on stage, they never stopped being energetic, and they seemed to all be having a really great time. they played all songs from the album, plus a couple others. well worth the $15. we don't get concerts like this often enough anymore...

Ralph Wiggum

I saw them in Phoenix last Monday and it was an excellent show, especially for $8. They're one of those rare bands that must be experienced live - such an intense and energetic act.

jarsim

It's a given that after I hear overwhelming raving reviews such as being 'blown away' by an album that I will myself leave disappointed by it. On the other hand, I would have never heard of the band outside of these reviews (I believe I first searched out this particular CD from glowing feedback on this forum).

So, after buying it and listening to it one time each entering and leaving Sedona, Arizona (which is one of the coolest places to drive in all of the US), I have mixed feelings. Actually there was a break where I had stopped listening to it at the beginning of the album (around track 3 I think), when we had continued on our trip I was still expecting the Magnetic Fields 'I' CD that we had previously been listening to. I was immediately confused and thought, 'how did this Modest Mouse CD get in there, I didn't even bring one'.

After listening to this, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill crossed my mind in addition to a score of other bands. And I guess overall this a negative to me because when I listen to a lot of my favorite bands I never think of who they sound like. They simply sound original to me, like no other than themselves.

Although I like it, perhaps might even to grow to like it a lot (although I honestly now doubt I'll grow to love it), its sound is all over the proverbial indie map for me to truly appreciate.

But my opinions are apt to change....as I do love the Killer's 'Hot Fuss' and I do love that derivative Duran 2 sound it has going on....or is that something I just read. What the hell do I know?

stevevt

MP3s of their 1/17/05 show on KCRW's 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' here.