Neon Bible
by Arcade Fire
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2007
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 918 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 819 out of 918
  2. Mixed: 71 out of 918
  3. Negative: 28 out of 918

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  1. DylanS
    May 28, 2007
    10
    It's no Funeral, but Neon Bible is a stand alone masterpiece in it's own right. Perfect in every way, it may just take a few listens, because of how differently the Arcade Fire are trying to sonically get their message across (at least compared to Funeral). There's not one poor quality track on the entire CD, even the "duds" are better than a lot of key tracks on other It's no Funeral, but Neon Bible is a stand alone masterpiece in it's own right. Perfect in every way, it may just take a few listens, because of how differently the Arcade Fire are trying to sonically get their message across (at least compared to Funeral). There's not one poor quality track on the entire CD, even the "duds" are better than a lot of key tracks on other discs released this year. Get this Album.… Expand
  2. JonT
    May 9, 2007
    10
    Matthew C are you a music critic or just a musician? Your review is inspirational. You have clearly done your research on this album. Its rare to see a review that speaks directly to the heart, but your review is the best I have ever seen. Your review has inspired me to become a journalist and I know that I can succeed if I develop one tenth of the literary and critical analysis skills Matthew C are you a music critic or just a musician? Your review is inspirational. You have clearly done your research on this album. Its rare to see a review that speaks directly to the heart, but your review is the best I have ever seen. Your review has inspired me to become a journalist and I know that I can succeed if I develop one tenth of the literary and critical analysis skills you posess. Hats off to you. There is one thing I disagree with in the opening paragraph of your review though. "Boo" is a bit harsh. Otherwise brilliant stuff.… Expand
  3. WilliamL.
    Jul 16, 2007
    10
    What can be further stated concerning the exceptional brilliance behind Arcade Fire
  4. ScottW.
    Aug 19, 2007
    8
    It hits the spot right on. Great albume and shows that this band has lots going for it.
  5. DanielC.
    Aug 26, 2007
    9
    Highly recommended.
  6. rubenn.
    Aug 4, 2007
    10
    excelent
  7. luke
    Sep 25, 2007
    7
    enjoyable. half of the songs are too springsteen for my taste, but the remainder makes up for it. I can also hear some roger waters and pulp sound strangely enough. This album could be on my top five by the end of the year.
  8. AlexP
    Jan 12, 2008
    10
    I'm really surprised about some of the reviews here. They only compare it to Funeral, which although was the better album, Neon Bible comes only just short of it. With their grand compositions coming through full throttle, the Arcade Fire led by Win Butler shines. "Intervention" is as dramatic and powerful a song as anything you'll hear this year, while my favorite song "Keep I'm really surprised about some of the reviews here. They only compare it to Funeral, which although was the better album, Neon Bible comes only just short of it. With their grand compositions coming through full throttle, the Arcade Fire led by Win Butler shines. "Intervention" is as dramatic and powerful a song as anything you'll hear this year, while my favorite song "Keep The Car Running" blends an almost folky sound with the early work of their idol, Bruce. 2nd best album of 2007 (Only after MIA's Kala)… Expand
  9. WesleyM.
    Jan 20, 2008
    10
    Amazing follow-up.
  10. AidanK
    Feb 16, 2008
    10
    I rarely give albums 10/10 but this one is truely worth it, the songs are all big, ambitious and loud, absolutely amazing
  11. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    It is so unexpected, so willing to connect with you, so unbelievably gorgeous, that you're blown away.
  12. SethA.
    Jun 22, 2008
    9
    This album has some of the best lyrics ever written. What passionate poetry, at its best!
  13. ShyA
    Jul 19, 2009
    9
    But FUNERAL is better....but this is great album with some great songs:intervention,no cars go,windowsill.
  14. SteveM
    Feb 13, 2007
    10
    It's not as quick to get going and suck you in as Funeral was, but as a whole, it's just as good, if not better. By combining some amazing new ideas with their old familier techniques, the Arcade Fire have created a masterpiece. It would be a huge understatement to simply say that they "avoided the sophomore slump". Too many great tracks to name here, but Intervention, My Body It's not as quick to get going and suck you in as Funeral was, but as a whole, it's just as good, if not better. By combining some amazing new ideas with their old familier techniques, the Arcade Fire have created a masterpiece. It would be a huge understatement to simply say that they "avoided the sophomore slump". Too many great tracks to name here, but Intervention, My Body is a Cage, and Windowsill rank among my favorites.… Expand
  15. CaitlinS
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I love the arcade fire!
  16. DanC
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    A powerful statement on the state of the world surrounding by the hum of an organ. Not Funeral 2.0 by any means and thats a good thing. An inventive band that time will show as the first great band of the 00's.
  17. Danny
    Feb 26, 2007
    10
    At first, I was a bit worried about how different the album sounds from Funeral, but after 15 or so listens, I have made a strong connection to each of the 11 tracks. Once again, Arcade Fire gets the job done!
  18. GeorgeH
    Feb 27, 2007
    7
    It's good, but nowhere near Funeral.
  19. TylerF
    Feb 27, 2007
    8
    Not nearly as good as Funeral. But still a strong album. Favorite tracks are 'Keep the Car Running', 'Intervention' and the revamped version of old EP favorite 'No Cars Go'.
  20. Erin
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    There's no need to compare this album to Funeral, and its great anyways.
  21. MattT
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    Neon Bible is changing my life.
  22. daveg
    Mar 12, 2007
    8
    pretty good, but no funeral
  23. TroyM
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    Why would you want it to be like "Funeral"? This real music performed on real instruments, which is infinitely more interesting than the 'manufactured' music that is cluttering our world today.
  24. DickB
    Mar 14, 2007
    8
    If Neon Bible hadn't been preceded by Funeral, it's hard to tell where the album would fall in terms of popularity and critical success. It's an incredible and intense album, but since it's also a "follow up" and "much anticipated" album, the stakes are higher and the masses are quick to rain down "it's good, yes. But "Funeral"..." If Neon Bible had been the first If Neon Bible hadn't been preceded by Funeral, it's hard to tell where the album would fall in terms of popularity and critical success. It's an incredible and intense album, but since it's also a "follow up" and "much anticipated" album, the stakes are higher and the masses are quick to rain down "it's good, yes. But "Funeral"..." If Neon Bible had been the first to arrive, and Funeral had followed after, what would people say then?… Expand
  25. ByronTheBulb
    Mar 18, 2007
    9
    I don't quite understand why so many listeners are slagging this album. It's more ambitious than Funeral, with a more diverse, expansive sound. There's no one track that stands out as a hit single, but there are lots of amazing songs that grow on you if you give them a chance. My only complaint is that I could have done without the remake of "No Cars Go" from their first I don't quite understand why so many listeners are slagging this album. It's more ambitious than Funeral, with a more diverse, expansive sound. There's no one track that stands out as a hit single, but there are lots of amazing songs that grow on you if you give them a chance. My only complaint is that I could have done without the remake of "No Cars Go" from their first EP; it's not really an improvement on the original.… Expand
  26. JonathanH
    Mar 18, 2007
    9
    Avoids the mid-album doldrum that inhabited Funeral's otherwise spectacular album. One of the few times where a band leaves its "little room" for bigger production values, without losing any of the original magic. I tend to frown on too much social commentary, but what commentary is present on the album is not overblown (though it occasionally approaches it). Musically, its wonderful Avoids the mid-album doldrum that inhabited Funeral's otherwise spectacular album. One of the few times where a band leaves its "little room" for bigger production values, without losing any of the original magic. I tend to frown on too much social commentary, but what commentary is present on the album is not overblown (though it occasionally approaches it). Musically, its wonderful (always one of the bands stronger points). While trying not to replicate Funeral, they don't do a 180 either. Well paced, and song placement was pitch-perfect (though Win may not always be). Best cuts (besides the exhultant "Intervention" and the revisitation of "No Cars Go") are the sensational "My Body is a Cage" and "Antichrist Television Blues." Bravo!… Expand
  27. michaelb
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    It gets better with each listen. Just like the first one, really. No one I think thought every song on Funeral was fantastic the first few times they heard it. Likewise. There are a few songs that really do stand out immediately though. Black Mirror, Ocean of Noise, Antichrist Television Blues, Intervention (which I remember from their last tour) and the my current fave My Body is a Cage. It gets better with each listen. Just like the first one, really. No one I think thought every song on Funeral was fantastic the first few times they heard it. Likewise. There are a few songs that really do stand out immediately though. Black Mirror, Ocean of Noise, Antichrist Television Blues, Intervention (which I remember from their last tour) and the my current fave My Body is a Cage. That was on the first few listens, but the other songs now are establishing themselves in my mental jukebox too.… Expand
  28. RodneyG
    Mar 26, 2007
    10
    This is the best 2nd album that I've ever heard from any band. Instantly likeable, dare I say this may be close to my favorite of all time: NMH: Aeroplane? :/ hmm. damn.
  29. DMarsh
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    I listened to Funeral at least 200 times and saw them live many times... and Neon Bible more than met my ridiculously high expectations. However, it doesn't really flow like an album should and I doubt that the live performances of this second batch of songs will match the energy of Wake Up and company.
  30. AdanT
    Mar 31, 2007
    10
    A lush wall of sound of an album; a recording that may as well sit with the best of the decade.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2007
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2007
11
#11 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Hot Press
    95
    So, Funeral was by no means a fluke. The Arcade Fire are unquestionably the real deal. And to prove it they’ve now thrown in another contender for ‘best record of the decade’.
    Read full review
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    The Canadian septet are the greatest art rock group since Talking Heads stopped making sense.
    Read full review
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    While devotees of Funeral... will surely enjoy Neon Bible, the album does have a decidedly different feel than its predecessor--mainly, there seems to be less of an emphasis on choruses. [Apr 2007, p.182]
See all critic reviews »