The Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
EMI


If 'Funeral' was an album of grieving, then 'Neon Bible' is the bitterness that follows. Still with a cacophony of sound and Win Butler putting every bit of his strained heart into the vocals, 'Neon Bible' is one-step more subdued than the debut. But only one step.

Although the title track plods along to Butler's quiet mutterings, Intervention stands up and can't help but be noticed. The thundering church organ opens the track with aplomb and Butler echoes sentiments of disappointment at the religious institution. "Who's going to throw the very first stone?" cries Butler to close the epic - another Arcade Fire instant-classic.

The schizophrenic Black Wave/Bad Vibrations features Rˇgine Chassagne's charming vocals and although weird in its sinister sweetness, is just as wonderful in its dual nature as Butler commandeers the back-half. Butler and the music are frantic for the sombre (Antichrist Television Blues); a prayer of undecided faith for a daughter. Windowsill is a quiet growing ballad of "don'ts" - frustrations simmering under the surface, the chorus "the tide is high, it's rising still, and I don't wanna see it at my windowsill" is tempered, but it all comes out in a rush at the end.

This is typical of The Arcade Fire's way of going about things: they can't help but bleed earnestness. Luckily enough, they do it so well that no only does it look easy, it's just plain beautiful.

'Neon Bible' is a grower, rich and complex in nature, fantastic the first listen and even better every listen from then onwards.


Steven Williams