thupthup thupthup thupthup The sound of tires crossing the seams in highway pavement leading to towns built after the roadways leading there. Hesitation and remembrance of things without nostalgia. Because who has honest nostalgic memories of wholly distopian youth. I made a mistake and thought this album, Arcade Fire’s most coherent and self-contained attempt to date, was about the suburbs of today, youth now. I was wrong. It is a reflection on the past. And it is really, really good. Highs include “Month of May,” “The Sprawl (Mountains Beyond Mountains),” and “Empty Room.” From these selections you can discern that I approve of the vocals of Régine Chassagne. Sure there are are a lot of slow and dull moments, theme’s revisited in a way more reminiscent of a Broadway musical than a pop album. But the second to last track is “Mountains Beyond Mountains” that is a pop bonanza complete with jazz-standard structure, requisite key change in the repeat of the first verse and dripping with mid-eighties synth. It frames the story with a Bruce Sterling/William Gibson view of late 21st century America. Get it cause it is dirt cheap on Amazon for mp3s. Give it some time, listen attentively twice, and toss what bores you. |
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