People Say that Your Dreams are the Only Things That Save Ya; Come on Baby, In Our Dreams We Can Live Our Misbehaviour
Tuesday. Not much going on here today work-wise. I spent the morning working on my pre-upload spreadsheet, and now I am trying to work through some vendor disputes. Apparently some manufacturers expect to be paid for their goods and services. They must not have read the fine print on our purchase order agreements close enough...
I listened to some new music today on the drive into work, Funeral by Arcade Fire. I came across this band because they were one of those "if you like this band, you'll like this one" recommendations on Amazon and the like. Arcade Fire hails from Canada and employs a wide variety of instruments in their recordings. The band has been critically acclaimed and enjoys the mentorship of none other than David Bowie.
It's hard to pin down Arcade Fire's sound. They sound a lot like The Pixies to me. I'm about to digress into a tangent here, so please forgive me, but I was pondering this question as I was listening to this album. If a group sounds very similar to a group you like a lot, what do you do? Do you shun them? I mean, if you really like the sound of one group, shouldn't you like a group that has a similar sound? But, does a group deserve being liked if they are just a carbon copy of a preceding band? Then again, isn't all music derivative of the influences that have come before it? I couldn't come up with an answer to this one. Please comment if you have any thoughts on this.
Ok, back to Arcade Fire. I didn't mean to say that they sounded exactly like The Pixies, but there were some noticeable similarities, including some Kim Deal-ish backup vocals. However, I really like The Pixies and many groups from Nirvana to Modest Mouse have been accused of ripping them off before so I don't think that should be held against Arcade Fire now. I did enjoy how several songs would change up midway through to keep you on your toes. The music was definitely tight, and the lyrics were strong. It might take a few more listens to really latch on to this one, but for right now I am leaning towards a favorable review. I'll let you all know more as my ears investigate this album further...
I listened to some new music today on the drive into work, Funeral by Arcade Fire. I came across this band because they were one of those "if you like this band, you'll like this one" recommendations on Amazon and the like. Arcade Fire hails from Canada and employs a wide variety of instruments in their recordings. The band has been critically acclaimed and enjoys the mentorship of none other than David Bowie.
It's hard to pin down Arcade Fire's sound. They sound a lot like The Pixies to me. I'm about to digress into a tangent here, so please forgive me, but I was pondering this question as I was listening to this album. If a group sounds very similar to a group you like a lot, what do you do? Do you shun them? I mean, if you really like the sound of one group, shouldn't you like a group that has a similar sound? But, does a group deserve being liked if they are just a carbon copy of a preceding band? Then again, isn't all music derivative of the influences that have come before it? I couldn't come up with an answer to this one. Please comment if you have any thoughts on this.
Ok, back to Arcade Fire. I didn't mean to say that they sounded exactly like The Pixies, but there were some noticeable similarities, including some Kim Deal-ish backup vocals. However, I really like The Pixies and many groups from Nirvana to Modest Mouse have been accused of ripping them off before so I don't think that should be held against Arcade Fire now. I did enjoy how several songs would change up midway through to keep you on your toes. The music was definitely tight, and the lyrics were strong. It might take a few more listens to really latch on to this one, but for right now I am leaning towards a favorable review. I'll let you all know more as my ears investigate this album further...
posted by john at 3:29 PM
4 Comments:
You know, it's funny how different people hear different things when they listen to music. I have been a huge Pixies fan since highschool, and got really into the Arcade Fire last year when every decent Canadian picked it up, and I must say, I don't see the similarity that your ears identify. I see Arcade Fire as a Talking Heads derivative rather than Pixies. Apparently David Byrne thought similarly and became a stalker-like presence at their shows. I think the Arcade Fire are much more "safe" than the Pixies, and their sound is far less heavy and/or experimental.
And to add on to Amazon's suggestions: If you like the Arcade Fire, try other Canadian up-and-comers Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, Wolf Parade (!!!)...
Hi Lisa-
What about Neutral Milk Hotel? They keep coming up in those recommendations as well. I'll for sure check out the other bands you listed. We seem to have very similar tastes in music.
It seemed to me that the lead singer of Arcade Fire had a very Black Francis-ish kind of voice, and the back up vocals reminded me of Kim Deal (whom the Pixies should have featured more of, IMO). I can see the Talking Heads comparison. Then again, Black Francis said that they were influenced by the Talking Heads as well, as evidenced by the Pixies tune Dig For Fire.
I never really got into Neutral Milk Hotel, despite hearing them time and again. To each his own, I guess. Other Canucks to eventually check out...
Do Make Say Think
DNTEL
KC Accidental
The New Pornographers
Death From Above 1979 (check out the tune "Black History Month")
I've never heard Neutral Milk Hotel, but their name kept popping up in my searches. I'll sample them and see what they're all about when I check out the other bands you've listed. Thanks for the recommendations, I appreciate it. I'm always on the lookout for new tunes. I'm like a music junkie, never getting my fill.
btw - look for a National post coming up soon...
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