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March 22, 2007

Music Review

Scorching Hot Verses

Arcade Fire’s second release fulfills fans’ expectations

Story by: Alyssa Fry

The Shorthorn staff

— Courtesy Art

Before Arcade Fire’s much anticipated sophomore effort was released, word spread of a strange prank involving the phone number 1-866-NEONBIBLE.

“Thank you for calling the Neon Bible,” a woman’s recorded voice greets. “For more information on exciting developments for you or people like you, press 6 or stay on the line for an audio presentation.”

This announcement is followed by the album’s first track, “Black Mirror,” which gets right back into the violins I loved so much from the first album, Funeral.

Overall, Neon Bible is just as daring and stupefying as the publicity stunt that promoted its release, and it’s even more memorable.

The group seems to have turned outward for its message this time, commenting on politics, war and religion most of all, with blatant musical cues like pipe organs, as evident in “Intervention,” and song titles like “(Antichrist Television Blues).”

What makes these Canadians unique is their ability to engage listeners in the first few chords and keep them craving more until the last second.

A perfect example of this is the fifth track, “Black Wave/Bad Vibrations.” As its name implies, this one sounds like two blended songs. It begins with Régine Chassagne’s childlike vocals and an upbeat tempo and organ. It’s almost danceable, though it maintains the whole album’s ominous tone.

With an innocent, bell-like instrument giving the only warning, the song shifts dramatically to a brooding conclusion sung by lead singer Win Butler. Over his simultaneously forceful and comforting vocals are eerie female vocals reminiscent of a church choir.

“Ocean of Noise” is the perfect afterthought to the previous track. It’s not as pressing. It begins with rain sounds and ends on an optimistic note, filled with brass, string instruments and vocals.

“No Cars Go” stands out as one of the best tracks. A poorly bootlegged, live version has floated around the Internet for at least two years now, and with every desperate attempt to hear the muffled vocals, I knew I’d love what Arcade Fire proffered next in terms of studio recordings.

Though “No Cars Go” is closer to the band’s first album, it was refreshing to hear it on Neon Bible, with its added orchestral and vocal layers. I know, however, that I’ll still give the bootlegged version of this song an occasional listen just to continue pretending I’m one of the many adoring fans whose screams drown out the final eighth notes of the violin.

I’m going to start praying for some Texas tour dates now.