Arcade Fire's third album, The Suburbs, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart - a first for both the band and their label, Merge. Preceded by the critically acclaimed Neon Bible and Funeral, The Suburbs met the high expectations surrounding its release. The Montreal-based septet delivers maturely crafted pop music with poignant lyrics that offer the listener thoughtful commentary on suburban life based on band members Win and Will Butler's observations and experiences growing up in the suburbs of Houston. The Suburbs leaves behind the darker elements of Neon Bible in favor of a more heartening aesthetic. By Basement DJ the Doctor
The music features nods to artists such as Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, and even Blondie on the standout track "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)". The Suburbs serves as a more-than-worthy introduction to Arcade Fire for new fans and will certainly be considered as one of the finest albums of 2010.
Recommended if You Like: Yo La Tango, Spiritualized, Bright Eyes
Focus Tracks: "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)", "Ready to Start," "The Suburbs"
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