Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

It's already February, which means that the new year is no longer new, it's relative to our agendas and adding that extra one shouldn't be an issue...but doesn't it seem that time is moving so fast, you hardly realize that its passing by?  The date moves closer and closer, and as I wake up for my unnerving 8:30 Monday morning class, I begin to realize that there will always be a deadline.  We are always waiting or working towards a certain date that we either dread, or ponder upon...and because of these deadlines, we loose track of the rest of the month, or the other 27, 29, or 30 days.  We look forward to the marked days on our calendars, and when these days pass, we look to the next and the cycle continues.  I to am a victim of these addicting traits, which ultimately left me wondering where in the world January just went, but to be honest, deadlines and due dates are inevitable...everyone works towards something, and when we reach that goal, we set another.  You can always finish what you've started but you can never be truly satisfied...there is always something new you can accomplish.

#19

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Expectations are another theme that goes hand and hand with deadlines.  If you reach a deadline it doesn't necessarily mean you've reached a certain expectation.  Arcade Fire on the other hand takes the pressure from the success of their debut and sophomore albums and release what some critics have acknowledged as the best record in 2010.  The Suburbs has by far reached and exceeded the expectations of their fans and critics alike with their nine piece multi-talented band.  Their instruments include guitar, bass, violin, viola, double bass, cello, percussions, drum kit, keyboards, harps, accordions, mandolin, and some others i've never even heard of...and their sound isn't to bad either.  "We Used To Wait" (Enter your address, its a very cool video) is such a great record I don't even know where to start.  There are layers upon layers of creativity that just scream out excellence.  Subtle layers such as the ghosted guitar riff at 0:38, the back up ascending vocals in the chorus beginning at 2:28, or bass line during the bridge at 3:53 make this record that much more creative.  The three chord piano lick that is looped through out the whole song holds the record together, allowing this Montreal native band to explore their own creativity.  "Sprawl II" is another record I found extremely compelling...the live version is even better.  For my fellow Arcade Fire fans, Sprawl II in my opinion is the following up of "Haiti" from their first record Funeral.  Both records feature the voice of Regine Chassagne and you can't help but fall in love with her voice, and her character on stage.  At one point during the pre-chorus, Regine sings "that we can never get away from the Sprawl".  During this verse, she ascends then descends the range of notes, as if she was painting a portrait of a mountain top, ranging her notes from high to low.  It's such a beautiful concept.

I want to think that after I am done school, I will be rid of all the due dates and deadlines that have me loosing sleep for the last four years, then again, i'm also afraid it might get even worse.  Maybe I have finally found what school has been trying to prepare me for...always make the deadline.  I am this much closer to my deadline, I just need that one last push.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

5/5

We Used To Wait

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Rococo

Ready To Start

Modern Man

Funeral

Neon Bible