By now, the selfish, law-breaking Arcade Fire fans among you have most, if not all, of Neon Bible. For shame! We were messing around earlier about that “highly anticipated” album leak; this is the one we really care about. Is it too early to form an opinion? Yes. Will you form one anyway? Obviously. As you work your way through the radio rips, leaked tracks, and concert recordings, be sure to tell us: Not enough organ? Not enough Springsteen? Not enough melodrama? Got a spare ticket to see ‘em? (Last one’s not entirely germane, but it would be awfully nice.) Happy listening.
Related Stories |
|
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post, reply to, or rate a comment.
%s1 / %s2
The full album has leaked….
Go to ateaseweb forums…..
It’s Amazing!!!!, just f#cking Amazing album!!!!
Go buy deluxe version.
Cheers
Yiyo
PS: why “björk” tag?
“all neon like” is the name of a (fantastic) bjork song
i really love what i’ve heard of neon bible. totes avoided the second album slump. amazing songs. but now i have to listen to bjork. thanks a lot.
Yiyo: “All Neon Like”, like the Bjork song. Not really tag worthy, but yeah.
of course… “all neon like”…. duuuh!!!!
shame on me.. he!
Cheers
Yiyo
PS: amaaaazing album, repeat after me… amaaaazing album.
It’s actually the most wonderful album to ever be leaked.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lpubai
half decent. don’t expect too much. the remake of no cars go is the best song on the album.
i think the best tracks are the ones besides the 5 widely leaked songs. probably because they stuck largely to their formula and remembered to make their songs driving and propulsive. i’ll still buy it, along with lcd soundsystem
This may be really old, but it is still Arcadefire-related…
http://www.lovegodsway.org/GayBands
I still don’t get it. Why does anyone want to listen to an unmastered version of an album that is obviously going to be mastered before release?
… I mean, okay, I KNOW why …
but … I don’t want to.
I’m not trying to knock anyone in particular because I hear this all the time regarding leaks, but where does everyone get this whole “unmastered” thing? Did the record companies start this myth that these early leaks are unmastered to get people to think the mastered album is going to sound different?
If you’ve ever heard an unmastered album, you’d know that when these albums leak, you’re almost always hearing the mastered version. Unmastered albums will vary in volume greatly from track to track, will have sloppy fades, longer intro silence/noises, oftentimes will have count-ins before the start of the track, etc. If you don’t hear this stuff, chances are you’re actually listening to the mastered album (minus maybe Beulah’s Yoko, which was actually mastered 5 times and leaked somewhere between the 3rd and 5th, though technically still a mastered album).
Anyway, anyone have a working link? I’ve already got my pre-order in.
For the same reason we’ve all downloaded Bloc Party, CYHSY, Air, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons, Idlewild, etc.
absolutely resoundingly fucking great
It is good. Really, really good. Some of the leaked tracks are actually the worst on the album (Black Wave comes to mind). No Cars Go is probably the best, but if you’ve never heard the EP version you might not see what all the attention is about. It’s not as good as Funeral, but it’s definitely a very, very solid follow up.
in love with the well and the lighthouse. i was hoping it’d rock because i liked the song title when the tracklisting surfaced.
i reuploaded the album from the lpubai link… grab the thing while you can, it won’t be there for long. or hit up soulseek.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/9tlooc
(insert obligatory ‘buy the album when it releases’ blurb here)
there’s one on senduit if the sendspace link expires again. check the atease forums for exact link…don’t want to post it for fear it will be taken down. am listening to album right now. sublimely happy. the acoustics of the church are amazing.
Thanks a million. I pre-ordered it today, so i was able to download it guilt free.
Andrew Bird’s new one is better in my opinion.
Andrew Bird’s new one is better in my opinion.
I haven’t heard the Arcade Fire yet, but the Bird album is sublime. It manages to top the last one.
Listening to this real quick (thanks for the repost mercator), it may actually be an unmastered version. Black Waves/Bad Vibrations is way lower (RMS-wise) than some of the other tracks, and it does seem generally inconsistent in terms of the actual sound quality. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of these are going to be the album mixes (e.g. Keep The Car Running, No Cars Go, sound finished), and others just rough mixes (Black Wave/Bad Vibrations, (Antichrist Television Blues), Windowsill). Well that’s just my guess anyway. It’s definately going to be interesting to hear the album version and see if there are any major differences in mix decisions, or to see how much of a difference a mastering job will make on the current ones (if I’m right of course).
Anyone else have the early vibe that this record needs another anthem or two, a la Wake Up, Rebellion (Lies)? Intervention’s cool and all but the pipe organ still doesn’t get me the way the opening distorted guitar of Wake Up does.
it’s good.
not as good as new Panda Bear, though.
“Black Waves/Bad Vibrations is way lower (RMS-wise) than some of the other tracks”
This track might be sourced from the iTMS accident a month ago. Therefore, it might be a transcode and someone forgot to turn their media player’s extra EQ off or something.
It’s a listenable leak though. Better than that crappy early version of the new Shins album anyway.
I preordered the vinyl version, just like I preordered Of Montreal’s “Hissing Fauna” on LP. Hopefully Merge will allow me to do a legal MP3 download (as they usually offer).
Neon Bible definitely shows a lot of promise. I’ve only heard “Black Wave” (very telling Bowiesque sound here), as I really don’t want to participate in the leaks. I make music myself (although many seem to dispute this) and I would feel very conflicted about freeware’ing an entire album. Yes, the adulation would be nice, as is the idea that people want and appreciate the music. On the other hand, unless you’re making mad cash like Mick Jagger (way to rake it in off the moldy oldies, Mick), the music is still your labor of love and wouldn’t it be nice to make a couple bucks off it?
So yes, Neon Bible is highly anticipated by yours truly, but I hope all the folks doing the downloading don’t go all “f-it!” come release day.
DwD
That new recording of No Cars Go is great, faster. I love Keep the Car Running, man…what a great beat.
If your music is worth buying then people will buy it. People are going to buy this album because if you’ve heard it, you know you’re buying a piece of musical history (IMO).
can someone up a link again?
there are some good moments, but so much melodrama and springteen riffing…not sure I’m as wowed as I wanted to be
of course their following/fanbase is so rabid , it doesn’t REALLY matter what they put out
The reason for the different levels is that the tracks come from several different sources. They’ve actually been leaking out one by one, with a big rush of tracks over the last day or so, but they’re not all the same rip. There are several transcodes here, as at least 5 of the songs were made available first as AAC.
But whatever, its great.
I haven’t heard it yet but Andrew Bird’s new one is better.
Word!
buying the album supports record company, buying concert ticket supports the band
They just took it off OINK
is anyone else really bothered by neon bible, the song?
As far as concert tickets, there are still some available for the montreal shows, according to my friend who’s organizing them. Very few though.
fucking brillant. “ocean of noise” is my fave. track on first listen.
neon bible the song is pretty weak, yeah. i was surprised by that. it’s also ridiculously short. having put a few more listens under my belt, the album is good, but not great. i love the arcade fire, i still remember the high i got from funeral, still love it, but i couldn’t help but ask ‘is that it?’ when ‘my body is a cage,’ wrapped up.
i’ll still buy it when it releases, but there’s better stuff around the corner, like busdriver’s newest and that incredible andrew bird album. roadkillovercoat and armchair apocrypha kick my ass and i can’t help it.
andrew bird ftw! that’s my favorite leak so far.
The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
http://www.tovornottov.blogspot.com/
“buying the album supports record company, buying concert ticket supports the band” – corey
More ignorance courtesy of the download generation. Blanket statements like the one above are incorrect and dangerous.
does the title “neon bible” have any reference to the john kennedy toole novel?
(i haven’t heard the album yet)
I’m Waiting. I want to have my mind blown on March 6th.
i’m downloading it now, but i really dont want to hear it if it’s not the album releases. and yes, chris, unmastered leaks do happen – Return to Cookie Mountain, for example, was leaked completely unfinished. and that was a horrible thing.
lots of andrew bird for one comment thread on ‘gum. i smell a rotten egg.
buying the album supports record company, buying concert ticket supports the band
This is one the more ignorant statements I have read in a while. However, let’s imagine for one tiny moment that what you are saying is true. The record label in question is Merge, one of the most generous and lovable indie labels in existence, who let you download the album for free if you buy the vinyl, and who is the WHOLE FUCKING REASON YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE ARCADE FIRE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
It’s a good record, but already it’s not in the running for album of the year IMO. I thought back to how blown away I was when CBC radio played “No Cars Go” late one night in June 2004 . I don’t think I will ever have as much enthusiasm for the band as I did when I first heard that song. A bit disappointing that two and a half years later, it’s still their best song.
Whatever happened to spending some time with an album before reviewing it? It’s been leaked for approx. 1 day, and already “it’s not in the running for album of the year” and “it’s not as good as Funeral.” You all are letting some sort of terrorists win.
From what I have heard, it is fantastic and will be a more than worthy follow up to ‘Funeral’. I pre-ordered the deluxe last week.
Completely disagree with Mark S. as I think for many this will be in the running for Album of the Year. But like Derek said, it will need more time to sink in. One day is not enough.
it lacks the “punch” that funeral had. I think the energy is lacking.
There is no power out or lies type raucousnesses on this record.
so i’m a little dissapointed.
intervention and no cars go are good though
It’s a good record, but already it’s not in the running for album of the year IMO. I thought back to how blown away I was when CBC radio played “No Cars Go” late one night in June 2004 . I don’t think I will ever have as much enthusiasm for the band as I did when I first heard that song. A bit disappointing that two and a half years later, it’s still their best song.
Posted by: Mark S at January 27, 2007 12:53 PM
Whatever happened to spending some time with an album before reviewing it? It’s been leaked for approx. 1 day, and already “it’s not in the running for album of the year” and “it’s not as good as Funeral.” You all are letting some sort of terrorists win.
Posted by: derek at January 27, 2007 2:09 PM
Derek… I completely agree (except the terrorist part). We (music snobs) have become obsessed with “what’s next” rather than digesting “what’s right now”.
It’s a good record, but already it’s not in the running for album of the year IMO. I thought back to how blown away I was when CBC radio played “No Cars Go” late one night in June 2004 . I don’t think I will ever have as much enthusiasm for the band as I did when I first heard that song. A bit disappointing that two and a half years later, it’s still their best song.
Posted by: Mark S at January 27, 2007 12:53 PM
Whatever happened to spending some time with an album before reviewing it? It’s been leaked for approx. 1 day, and already “it’s not in the running for album of the year” and “it’s not as good as Funeral.” You all are letting some sort of terrorists win.
Posted by: derek at January 27, 2007 2:09 PM
Derek… I completely agree (except the terrorist part). We (music snobs) have become obsessed with “what’s next” rather than digesting “what’s right now”.
Derek and Christopher: I understand and agree with what you guys are saying, and I was rather general in my comments so I can see why you’d have that conclusion. I just mean that there are other records that I’ve already heard from this year (Deerhoof, Eluvium) that I liked a lot, and I’ve given the AF record three good listens now, enough to conclude rather confidently that it’s not even my favourite January release. I wrote “IMO” which I thought people commonly recognized as “In My Opinion,” which was my explicit attempt to qualify this as a matter of personal taste and not some kind of ridiculous objective statement. This is also why I did not provide a review, only an impression.
The song “Neon Bible” is surprisingly weak, and re: the sentiments about the album lacking a Wake Up or Rebellion, I agree. Seems like a lot of the songs build up and never fully consummate like they did on Funeral–kind of unfair to compare, I know, but it’s inevitable.
Regardless, it’s a pretty good listen.
anyone have alink to the andrew bird album? i already pre ordered it but i just cant wait to hear it!
Fine. I cheated and caved. Sue me.
But I’m glad I did. “Intervention”, “Windowsill”, “No Cars Go”… These alone make the LP worth my pre-order cash. The arrangements are big, beautiful explosions of sound, a true rock orchestra…
If 2007 has better albums in store, it will be a banner year for music.
DwD
2007 is lookin’ pretty good from where I’m sitting, Shins, Of Montreal, and now this. If only we could remove the falloutboi from existing, that crap alone will pull 2007 down to mediocrity.
No Cars Go. So delicious. Cynics please stay away from this music buzz I’m feeling.
Does anybody else hear the distinct sound of Eddie & The Cruisers’ “From the Darkside” on “Keep The Car Running.” It’s gotta be a subconsious rip-off.
Menomena
Panda Bear
Of Montreal
Arcade Fire
Oh and…. eventually… Radiohead.
This might be the best year in music. Wa wa wee wa!
After hearing the title track, and agreeing with the fact that it is a shitty song, I’ve come to realize that it is a theme song for the album in the same context as ‘fitter happier’ had on OK Computer. It sets a good tone for the rest of the album giving some insight into the theme(s)(I’ve only listened on a superficial level) explored on Neon Bible.
Yo Antonio,
I couldn’t agree more with your opinion. I thought 2006 was considerably weaker than several of the past years.
I heard the Eddie & the Cruisers thing too! So funny. I’m sure we’ll stop hearing it after a few listens though. That song rocks anyway. I hear a lot of Bruce infulence on this one but it’s very welcome. I like this album a lot on first couple listens.
btw, i also preordered. I’m not one to judge others for downloading, cuz i’ve done my share but when beulah stopped making music becuase they weren’t making enough to live on, that was a wake up call. Indie bands aren’t getting rich off record sales or concets, they’re making a living.
Eddie and the Cruisers?? I heard the verson from Holiday Road from National Lampoon’s vacation…
Phil Collins on Body is a Cage, and Bruce Springsteen here and there.
z’all good though… z’all good.
Anyone know where one could find the leaked Andrew Bird or LCD albums? And I have every intention of buying the enormous special edition, super-deluxe box of Neon Bible. I’m just very impatient. Thanks.
Ok. I’ve listened to Neon Bible twice. It definitely doesn’t have the punch of Funeral but I like that it’s not trying to regurgitate Funeral. It goes in a different direction. A wonderful direction. I like it.
Anyone know where one might find the Andrew Bird or LCD leaks? And I have every intention of purchasing the legal versions, I just have no patience. Thanks.
I like a lot of the Springsteen influence, but am I the only who hears the verses from Coldplay’s “Don’t Panic” in the melody/chords to “Ocean of Noise” (which also sounds a whole lot like Springsteen’s “Point Blank”).
it’s not “funeral” part 2 and thats a good thing. it’s a completly different direction and it’s def. a lot heavier and not as stripped down as “funeral”. i can do w/o “windowsill” and “neon bible”, those are a bit filler to me but the other songs make for it very much. i can’t wait to see these songs live at the church shows, i think they we’re always a better live band then studio band anyhow.
it’s not “funeral” part 2 and thats a good thing. it’s a completely different direction and it’s def. a lot heavier and not as stripped down as “funeral”. i can do w/o “windowsill” and “neon bible”, those are a bit filler to me but the other songs make up for it. i can’t wait to see these songs live at the church shows, i think they were always a better live band then studio band anyhow.
No Cars Go 2007 doesn’t sound that much different from the Funeral version, apart from it being faster and more fleshed out. i would have stuck with the old version which was the reason i loved it in the first place. why fix it if it ain’t really broke?
I’ve not listened to Neon Bible yet, but it’s interesting that they’ve re-done No Car Go, especially as an excellent version of it was included on the Tam album.
http://www.ecstaticpeace.com/artist.php?id=12
Hm.
Great album, full of details. I think is about delirius, dream, nightmare, human nature, and a lot of things about inconsciente – great sound, great lyrics, and to me, better than funeral,
I can’t stop hearing it!
Anyone have a link to the new Andrew Bird? I must be living under a rock.
Thanks
Andrew Bird:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tba4nd
make sure you buy it!
From what I’ve heard so far, how could I not buy it? :]
Good good stuff.
intervention is the closest it comes to a wake up or rebellion.
it definitely goes in a new direction which makes it cohesive, however the quality of the songs varies a lot
I haven’t heard the leak yet, but Intervention definitely builds up and then falls back without any kind of big climax moment. That “every drop of friendship and love” part feels like a huge missed opportunity every time I hear it.
I vote better than Funeral. At the very least, more accessible. Hearing Win say ‘Neon Bible’ was downright fantastic.
Oh, and the live version of ‘The Well and the Lighthouse’ is way more rockin’ than the LP track.
…can’t say much that hasn’t been said already. THE RECORD IS ILL! Please come to Bonnaroo!
The album is completely different from Funeral but it doesn’t grab me the way that album did. But there are a few tracks which stand out for me, in particular “Keep The Car Running” and “Windowsill” which to me most reflect some of the urgency which I connected with so much on Funeral.
The record overall is just a lot more laid back, but I’m glad they went for a different kind of sound and didn’t just press repeat on Funeral. Intervention seems like a cop-out almost, trying to capture that feeling of Funeral but missing the big climaxes that made that album so amazing.
Good album though, just not too sure how long I’ll be listening to it.
holy shit! This isn’t funeral! wtf!
-everyone
OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE SOMEONE MENTIONED *TAM* in this thread… & double-wow i can’t believe Ecstatic Peace picked her up… i hope she’s just as insane if not doubly so these days!
oh yeah, Arcade Fire… kudos to everyone dropping the pre-orders. Full album leaks not kewl… and buying the record DOES support the band b/c of course they get a cut of the royalties; and sales are a major driver of touring gigs because touring is a huge expense and even big bands may not break even on successful tours…
ON FIRST FEW LISTENS – i think the big thing about neon bible that turns it off for me is that it lacks the urgency and drama of funeral. obviously it’s not supposed to be a repeat of funeral. win’s voice seems to lack the passion and like personal emotion it had it funeral and he sounds slurry a lot. the lyrics don’t seem… like stories, like… tunnels or laika. i can easily see antichrist television blues as a b-side. and it might just be me but i miss the accordion. it shows up on like two things.
I like it very much! Yes, it is different and not like the last album…but I think that is a good thing. Sure, the last album was classic, but this is showing a different side in some songs…but still has their sound.
So far, NEON BIBLE and SOME LOUND THUNDER by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah top by “best of” albums for 2007. Gonna be a big year with these albums and albums by…Dinosaur Jr., Modest Mouse, U2…all must haves!
NEON BIBLE seems to touch on all the elements of human emotions..from sadness to the beat of dancing from happiness. Nice job!
neon bible or the dark side of yourself
the lyrics are better than funeral I think, this time you can understand, think about your not so good side, that part that you hide from others person, even yourself, an ocean of violence, a black wave, a black mirror to see,
if you see the band´s site, there is a little girl preaching in portuguese about god, is she the daughter´s antichrist television???
Neon = golden.
I finally heard the album. I loooooove it so much.
I must be the only person in existence to think the new version of No Cars Go isn’t that great at all.
No, I’m sure there is at least one other person in existance who doesn’t think the remake of No Cars Go isn’t that great. But probably ONLY one.
Ugh, the little preacher Brazilian girl makes me cry inside. I’m never going back to that website.
Can’t stop listening to the album…gonna be a hard one to beat in 2007!
Pearl, I miss the accordian too! The amount of organ on this one take a bit of getting used to.
can someone please upload this?
absolutely resoundingly just sorta ok
new link for neon bible:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ande5
new link for neon bible:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ande5
this album is so badass i can’t even believe it. and it seems to me everyone who’s saying it sucks, or doesn’t live up to neon bible, are the same people who refused to like funeral. the cd is amazing. get over it.
thank you very much!
FAO: Su, Re: Tam.
Yeah, she?s actually coming across to Britain this week/next week, and I?m going to catch her in Newcastle on Monday. I know her booker and apparently she?s still a complete mental.
I’ve been listening to Neon Bible for four days straight. While I’m not sure it has the extreme highs featured in their debut, Neon Bible is a more solid album all the way through. This album will be huge! The snobs probably won’t like it, but this album is fantastic.