Arcade Fire's Neon Bible

A Quick Look By Miss Fitz


If you’re alive and of a certain age and musical inclination, you’re probably aware that Arcade Fire have recently put out an album. What you may not know is that their Bible just may inspire a generation.

Neon Bible eloquently tackles everything from politics and social reform to civic duty. It not only covers these subjects but it grabs them by the balls. This is not an album for the faint of heart. It’s divisive—you’ll either be a believer or dismiss this Bible as bunk. There is no middle ground here.

The album is slow going and it’s intense, but Arcade Fire are no tease. If you stick with them, the climax will blow you away. Neon Bible is proof that the band’s debut album was no fluke and that their sound is maturing. The music continues to be a glorious hodgepodge of handclaps, harmonious vocals, and eclectic instruments. Appropriately, one of the songs is entitled “Ocean of Noise.”

But this is not an ocean of senseless noise. Listen to it. Let it sink in. It's worth the wait.