Well...pre-ordering the album paid off. Going to see them in a warehouse in Brooklyn on Friday.

Lucky!

Official stream:

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It's amazing how much I loved The Suburbs and looked forward to the next album. But I'm not even really excited about this record now.

I hope AF proves me wrong.

All I can say is, there are very few albums that are worthy of being almost an hour and a half long. This isn't one of them.

Yeah, not really feeling this one. Definitely a few bright spots...but, like most double albums, there's a lot of filler.

I fell asleep yesterday listening to it and reading the uninspiring lyrics
not a very good initial impression

Man am I the only one diggin' this album? Party of one, population: four... (?)

Hmmm, I don't really think adding more synths makes this avant garde. Their debut album sounds a bit more challenging to me, especially hearing it the year it dropped. I can see why older fans aren't into this as much, but after one listen I'm thrilled they are seeking a slight change. I don't want to hear Neon Bible or Suburbs remade again.

I've been enjoying it.

wtf is with people whining about them going "pop-dance" and comparing this album with Kiss' Dynasty?

Yes, its more electronic than previous AF albums and you can hear James Murphy's stamp on it.... but you have to have a serious bias against anything with keyboards or drum machines if you can't differentiate the new AF material and say the crap that Maroon 5's been churning out the last two years. You can be electronic and not be totally fluffy. Unless you also hated Depeche Mode, OMD and the other amazing synth-pop bands of the 1980s.

Meh, I loved their first three albums and their EP but this new one just does nothing for me to be honest. I'm hoping it's a one off experimental thing and maybe they'll go back to how they were after this.

but seriously... can you at least tell the difference between what AF is doing now and say, Maroon 5's electronic-oriented pop travesties made for middle aged moms to rock in their minivan and embarrass their teen children trying to prove how mama is "with it"?

To me its no different than comparing Talking Heads doing dark electronic sounds circa Remain In Light (which is kinda the vibe I get they're going for) compared to Rod Stewart doing Da Ya Think I'm Sexy or Kiss doing I Was Made as simple easy disco hits.

Not *all* electronic music is evil. I think most people without a huge phobia of electronicmusic agree that James Murphy is safe hands to be trusted in... the day Arcade Fire does something with David Guetta would be the day to worry.

I have nothing against electronic music in general, I just don't like it fits for them personally and don't really care for what I've heard of the album.

The LCD Soundsystem influence is all over this one. It reminds me of Sufjan Stevens "Age Of Adz" in terms of it's electronic soundscapes just feeling out of place. That being said, I don't dislike it.

Nope, I'm right here with ya.

First listen through early impression: this album should be credited to "James Murphy and Arcade Fire".

totally loving it. on my third listen today and it's just getting stronger each time.

I love this new Talking Heads album!

somebody else gets it!!

People keep comparing this to when Rod Stewart or Kiss went disco, when I think this album is far closer to Talking Heads '80, which is probably a huge factor in why I love this album so much.

Yeah, I should add that I like what I've heard so far.

Listened to side one and so far....amazing. Can't wait to listen on headphones.

This one doesn't do much for me. I have no problem with the direction they are going, I just don't find most of the songs to be very memorable or have much melody.

that was the vibe I was getting while watching their SNL performance.

It does remind me of Remain in Light quite a bit.