If it's a play to get a #1 record then they don't need it. Neon Bible went #1 with only one cover and The Suburbs will do the same.

Maybe it's a totally artistic thing with everyone in the band getting to decide what one of the covers will look like. But after all the multiple covers from other bands...this feels like a total cash grab. Bummer.

Neon Bible only hit #2 in the U.S. It went to #1 in Canada I believe.

To be fair, they have a lot of freakin' members in the band. They make a certain amount of money off albums, touring, merchandise, licensing, etc. That money has to pay for 7 people. On the road, they add three four additional members. That's a lot of mouths to feed.

How will I decide which cover to buy?!? I might have to own them all.

Really?

I don't see enough of a difference to warrant buying more than one (although there's no way I'd buy more than one copy regardless of the covers).

What would one do with 8 different copies of an album anway? Display them? Take down from the shelf and look at all by yourself?

I don't get it.

I was just kidding.

I'm DYING for this album to come out. August 3rd can't get here fast enough!

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Untitled from Arcade Fire on Vimeo.

Live streaming the MSG Show on Aug 5th. Plus, that audio clip is awesome.

I like it a lot.

Listen to 30 second snippets of each song here.

some jerk posted a fake album on, uh, some site
it broke my heart

Your user name over there is pretty similar to the one here

busted

Some reviews:

http://www.spin.com/reviews/arcade-fire-suburbs-merge

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/re...m/17385/182695

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nm4z

http://thequietus.com/articles/04666...y-track-review

Interesting article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...e-2032996.html

The four songs that have been (officially) released have really grown on me. I think my first post about them basically said that I thought they sucked, but I was way wrong. I guess I mistook subtlety and less bombast as not good.

I think I changed my perspective when I listened to a live cut of Rococo and was struck by how Neil Young it felt. But instead of having a copy feel, it felt really fresh and alive (almost like when Nirvana did the Pixie-isms when they cut Teen Spirit). Went back and listened to all the others, then listened again and again and there is a ton of deeper, hidden, subtle heartbreak and growing up going on in these songs. Color me impressed...so far.

From the SPIN review "The Suburbs burns on behalf of the belief that modern culture is missing its heart -- and to give up the search is to send one's soul to oblivion." YES!

And from the BBC "You could call it their OK Computer. But it’s arguably better than that." Very excited to hear it all.

It's nice to know that three deep, it doesn't seem like they'll disappoint.

Listening now.

Got through my first play through and I love it!

I really like this record. I hope the lyrics come with the CD. Can't wait to buy this thing.

It's kind of hard to describe after only one listen though.

Unlike the previous two Arcade Fire albums, this has no weak tracks. Besides the 4 officially released tracks (which I love), I really like Empty Room, Suburban War, and Deep Blue. I've listened to it about 3 times now and I doubt there will be a better release this year.

One listen and I like it. Much to chew on. Despite a few differences in sound here and there, I'm not sure why a fan of the previous albums would dislike this (although I have seen just that on another music forum). "Empty Room" was the rocker that I immediately fell in love with. Part of the vocals in that tune almost sound like an ABBA song!

Where are you guys listening early at?

Has anybody heard of any bonus tracks (b-sides) on foreign editions or Itunes or anything??

I would think probably not, but you never know.

I downloaded and listened to the album a few times. Honestly I don't get critics hard-on for this album. It's a decent solid album I suppose, but it's not music's second coming Ok Computer change the way we listen to music album. I hear a lot of influences from other bands on the album which I think weakens whatever originality they had going with Funeral, they sound less like Arcade Fire. Gone are the anthems and now the songs are more subdued, not a lot of big climaxes or as varied instrumentation. They added some synths, but even the vocals aren't as layered as they used to be between members. I definitely didn't ever have a wow moment with a song. Just not feeling it as much as the critics.

I do like The Suburbs, Rococo and Empty Room.
Modern Man I find pretty boring.

But comparing this to Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring....Suburbs is pretty linear.

The MSG concert this Thursday is being broadcast over the Internet, and it's being directed by Terry Gilliam.

It did?