Best of 2007, Part 2: Neon Bible by Arcade Fire

First off, if you don't know who the Arcade Fire are, check out this link. This is a band you need to know about. One of Canada's most amazing exports, the Arcade Fire continues to impress even the best musicians in the industry. In fact, U2 used AF's Wake Up as the opener for the Vertigo tour.

At first, I was skeptical of Neon Bible, because I usually view this type of music as self-indulgent art-house eccentricity. But I gave it a chance, and I was wrong. This album is destined to become a classic. When I am driving by myself on the empty roads and highways of the midwest, this album is an amazing companion - you just get lost in the layered sound and lyrics. Neon Bible has an undeniable broad and fearless ambition to convey its messages about religion and life. I would describe it as massive, hypnotic, melodic folk rock - a subtle symphonic masterpiece, sometimes a bit Springsteen, other times a bit U2, Bowie, and Radiohead, but really their own.

I really think this album is best enjoyed in its entirety, from first track to last. With that said, my favorite tracks from Neon Bible are: Intervention (listen to that organ!), Black Mirror, Neon Bible, Antichrist Television Blues, Keep the Car Running, and No Cars Go (a very catchy tune). You can find these tracks on the Young Bands playlist I set up below.

I can't think of a relatively mainstream band with more musicians. And how's this for an instrument list: guitar, drums, bass guitar, piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, keyboard, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy (what the hell is that?) and harp (the word eclectic wouldn't do them justice).

They performed on Saturday Night Live a few months back. You can check out that performance here.

Buy Neon Bible. You will not regret it - I give it 4.5/5, at least....