Cougar Microbes

I was delighted to see Arcade Fire won the Album Of the Year Grammy last night. Considering they were competing against the likes of Eminem, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga this was a huge achievement but ‘The Suburbs‘ deserves all the plaudits because from start to finish it is flawless.

The band blasted through ‘Month Of May‘ whilst 2 BMX riders raced around stage in what looked like mens sunglasses and video cameras for helmets. I can only imagine these are the same kids riding their bikes that the band sing about in ‘Sprawl I’ (Flatland).

The band went on to perform the brilliant ‘Ready To Start‘ where Régine Chassagne‘s delicate backing vocals proved to be positively spine tingling.

Best moment of the night besides Win Butler‘s bewildered look when accepting the award  has got to be Kanye West, who lest we forget also released an epic album, tweeting his support for the album.

For what it’s worth compared to a Grammy ‘The Suburbs’ was easily my album of the year as well.

I feel like music is in safe hands for a few more years.

TRACKS:

Compiling this list has proven to be harder than my album break down last year (and is that because there were fewer or more “great” releases in 2010?) but there was absolutely no doubt in my mind who would steal the top spot. After trying to avoid the fanfare surrounding the release of ‘The Suburbs‘ I was eventually seduced by Arcade Fire like never before.

In the past I felt the Canadian outfit almost had too many good ideas to cram into their records reminiscent of a young boxer coming out in the early rounds and throwing as many punches as possible. Though I have often appreciated (and sometimes loved) the band’s songs I couldn’t quite understand the level of adoration they were afforded. It took the release of their third studio album to turn me into a true believer.

From the opening tripple-whammy of the majestic title track, the blistering ‘Ready To Start‘ and the contemplative Springsteen-esque ‘Modern Man‘, it is clear this is going to be a treat. Boasting the initial rush of ‘Funeral‘ with the ambitious instrumentation ‘Neon Bible‘ there’s a feeling that this collective are at the very top of their game.

It would be a hard ask them to match this sort of intensity throughout but more than anything ‘The Suburbs‘ is frighteningly consistent. It represents a perfect snapshot of where the band stand today to the point where when Win Butler proclaims, “2009, 2010, wanna make a record of how I felt then“, it is entirely believable. This latest incarnation of Arcade Fire is akin to a seasoned champion carefully picking their blows to maximum effect.

Accordingly, songs like the seemingly straightforward ‘City With No Children’ and ‘Month Of May’ still have plenty of hooks and charisma to easily push past the finish line. Elsewhere the Régine Chassagne fronted ‘Empty Room’ and ‘Half Light I’ are particular show stealers with the former dealing a euphoric rush to contrast the sombre orchestration of its counterpart and all this before even half of the album is through.

In the hands of lesser bands, a concept album about the changing faces of The Suburbs might come across as pretentious, but Butler and co. are able to make sharp observations without condescending “the kids” they are singing about and more importantly to.

It comes back to that aforementioned “frightening consistency” because despite going on and on about the album so far I still feel its highest peaks are still to come. Tracks like the magnificent ‘Suburban Wars’ with its bombastic climax, the Cold War taunting ‘Deep Blue’ and the masterpiece ‘We Used To Wait’ possess sufficient magic to carry any album all on their own.

Intelligently the band employs tempo change throughout to reaffirm their undeniable hold. So there is still time for the sharp contrast of the brooding ‘Sprawl I (Flatland)’ and its tale of lost youthful innocence before Régine steals the show once again with the deceivingly upbeat ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains); coming across like The Knife covering Blondie’s ‘Heart Of Glass’.

This album is so irresistible because its tracks work collectively just as well as they do individually. There is an undoubtable rush associated with their first impact but it is when heard from end to end that their true qualities become acutely apparent. This a classic album where repeat listens will be rewarded by the uncovering of constant themes and reoccurring lyrical musing.

By the time the familiar refrain of ‘The Suburbs (Continued)’ plays out the final moments of the album you will be longing for the whole adventure again. Ultimately, ‘The Suburbs‘ demands repeat visits because each time you go you will come back with a different rewarding experience.

TRACKS:

PREVIOUS: #02 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2010: Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

With Arcade Fire fresh from two incredible London live perforamcnes and ‘The Suburbs‘ on constant repeat on the Cougar stereo they couldn’t be left out of this set of Weekend Videos.

Here is a video from 2005 of the band performing their anthem ‘Wake Up‘ with none other than David Bowie. You know you’ve made it when a legend performs your song with you.

TRACKS:

Arcade Fire – Wake Up (With David Bowie)

Ray Dar Vees only started out last summer and despite falling short of your standard four piece line-up their sound is bigger and more anthemic than you’d first expect. The youthful South London trio create melodic rock pop which attempts the same anticipation and build up that Arcade Fire are capable have shown over the years.

Debut single ‘Heart Attack‘, showcases the bands strong song writing skills as swirling tones are driven through with strong percussion to meet a very catchy chorus. More haunting than heartbroken there’s almost an Ian McCulloch quality to the vocal delivery. ‘One Day‘, another stand out track, cashes in on the formulaic pattern of a humble ambient start building to a wailing end. Some 80′s inspired guitar solos break up the track before you get lost in the reverb-echo vocals and wizardry production. In a nutshell, it is White Lies meets Coldplay; still dark and earthy but very pop accessible.

It’s an impressive start for the band and with such a comprehensive and full sound they are ripe for radio and set to infect airwaves.

Ray Dar Vees is out now on Pure Groove and Seven Sevens Recording

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Post by the insurmountable Ruby

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TRACKS:

Ray Dar Vees – Heart Attack

Warsaw based trio The Car Is On Fire are a little known gem, one of those bands you are smug to know about first. They are, for all intents and purposes a slightly jazzy Passion Pit…. with balls. Garage rock mixed with electro, heated with the warm fuzz of front man and bass player Kuba Czubak‘s lilting tones.

Following the success of the band’s self titled release in 2005 and its followup Lake and Flames in 2006, the band made a name for themselves in their native Poland and surrounding Europe. Their latest album release is an effort for the mainstream; In the best possible way of course.

With expert producer John McEntire at the helm, OMBARROPS! boasts strong songwriting and excellent melodies with a backing of angular guitars, synthesisers and a mixture of analog and digital percussion. Their creative blend of electro and analog instrumentation sounds are sure to grab the Listener’s attention.

Vocally the band are reminiscent of Lexy Benaim, of Harlem Shakes fame, nasal but colourful punk shouts, against a backdrop of optimistic electro-pop; Tracks like ‘Manuel‘ and the up-beat ‘Cherry Cordial‘ are highlights of this familiar, yet fresh sound.

The album bubbles into action with a low synth and marching beat before the familar TCIOF pop hooks begin combined with playful chants and xylophones. I think playful is a good term to describe this bands new body of work. Whilst keeping their claws firmly sunk into the under belly of pop the band demonstrates a childlike innocence in their creative approach.

The album’s title track is the track that you will be continuing to hear, with it’s catchy chants, keyboard pips and off-beat drum and bass grooves. Match this up with a video that can be described as positively surreal and you are on to a winner.

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Post courtesy of the fantastic Mr Wicks
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TRACKS:

The Car Is On Fire – Ombarrops!