Arcade Fire
Founded by Win Butler and Régine Chassagne and featuring William Butler, Richard Reed Perry, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neusfeld and Jeremy Garcia, Arcade Fire is known for its complicated musical arrangement and affecting lyrics. The band makes frequent appearances on Bestof year lists and Best of the Decade countdowns.They've also been nominated for several industry awards, including the Polaris Music Prize and the Studio8 International Music Awards.
Indie Sound
The complex, socially conscious sound of Arcade Fire most frequently resonates with people who feel let down by modern times, without descending into cynicism. While their music contains somber, reflective notes, it can also be uptempo and fun. "Wake Up" from ''Funeral'' has a stirring sound that changes part-way through the song, and has been particularly effective in raising money for charity, five years after it's release.
Because of the band's multirock types ignore, like the cello, the accordion, the French horn and the harp. They're most often compared to Modest Mouse, The Shins, Neutral Milk Hotel, U2 and David Bowie's later work, the latter having performed with them during a Fashion Rocks event.
Albums
* ''Arcade Fire''/''Us Kids Know'' EP (2003/Remastered 2005) - Not exactly rough cuts, but a great look at a band's early sounds.
* ''Funeral'' (2004) - A great place to start with this band, with wide samplings of just what this group is capable of. "Rebellion (Lies)" is a popular introduction point to their work.
* ''Arcade Fire and David Bowie at Fashion Rocks''/''Live at Fashion Rocks'' (2005) - Only available online. Wake Up" is a seamless mix of their style with Bowie's.
* ''Neon Bible'' (2007) - Considered by some to be a rock epiphany, this albums has become cemented as a modern classic. This can be intimidating to new comers, so it's best to build up to it.
* ''The Suburbs'' (2010) - Their most recent album, with a more synth heavy sound.
Quick Picks
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