Arcade Fire

Main | Biography | From the Archives | Album Reviews | Photo Gallery | Videos | Discography | Widget

Album Reviews

Photo

Arcade Fire

Funeral  Hear it Now

RS: 4of 5 Stars

2004

Play View Arcade Fire's page on Rhapsody

The liner notes to this exceptional debut from the Arcade Fire refer to the recent deaths of several family members -- which explains why Funeral aches with elegiac intensity. Chilly imagery from this indie-rock band's native Montreal dominates the album: Characters stumble through the snow, shivering, to meet between their houses while their "parents are crying." "Crown of Love" builds from a mournful waltz to a bustle of choppy violin strokes as singer Win Butler pleads, "If you still want me/Please forgive me." Amid all the loss and breakups, the Arcade Fire manage to also be strangely joyous: Songs such as "Wake Up," which features a choir of voices and a fierce rhythmic stomp, burst with catharsis. The band could have gone for a less direct title, but even then it would have been crystal clear: Funeral captures the agony and even ecstasy of surviving death all around you.

JENNY ELISCU

(Posted: Dec 9, 2004)

Advertisement

News and Reviews

Advertisement


How to Play This Album

  • Click the play button.

  • Register or enter your username and password.

  • Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

 

Track List

Play All

Photo

 

Your Turn

Give us your review of Funeral

Advertisement

 

Everything:Arcade Fire

Main | Biography | From the Archives | Album Reviews | Photo Gallery | Videos | Discography | Widget

 

RSS Subscribe to Rolling Stone Arcade Fire feed

See all available RSS feeds / learn more

Advertisement

Advertisement