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The Suburbs
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The Suburbs Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 43 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 792 Ratings

  • Summary: The Montreal band return with their third studio album of soaring anthems and varied instrumentation, a pairing that has successfully secured their place as indie rock royalty.
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Businessmen drink my blood Like the kids in art school said they would And I guess I'll just begin again You say can we still be friends If I was... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. Q Magazine
    100
    They may well have delivered their masterpiece. [Sept. 2010, p. 110]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jan 5, 2011
    91
    With beats this straight and stolid, you'd better keep the anthems coming, and they do, almost.
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    One of the 21st century's most intelligent and satisfying bands (musically, lyrically, emotionally) have once again set out their stall, and once again produced a work of inspired resonance, capturing truth after truth, in all its muddled, human realism.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    88
    Even more so than its two predecessors, The Suburbs is an Arcade Fire album designed to be heard as a whole in a specific sequence.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    It's serious without being preachy, cynical without dissolving into apathy, and whimsical enough to keep both sentiments in line, and of all of their records, it may be the one that ages so well.
  6. American Songwriter
    80
    The Suburbs ends on a dark, dystopian note with a little 90-second deconstruction of the title track, leaving you to wonder if the "screaming" alluded to earlier might not always be the joyful kind. That kind of ambiguity is what makes Arcade Fire's deceptively simple music all the more intriguing.
  7. The Boston Phoenix
    50
    It would help if the songs were better, but with all the up-and-down scales and chirp-chirp-chirpiness, the American Express commercial gradually gives way to a Riverdance special on pay-per-view.

See all 43 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 128
  3. Negative: 5 out of 128
  1. NYCMark
    Aug 13, 2010
    10
    "The Suburbs" is a masterpiece, possibly the greatest album so far of the 21st century. It's like a Martin Scorsese movie in the sense that"The Suburbs" is a masterpiece, possibly the greatest album so far of the 21st century. It's like a Martin Scorsese movie in the sense that there isn't a wasted second. Every detail has been meticulously crafted, from every musical note to every lyric. This album is as close to perfection as it gets. But it's so deep and nuanced and passionate and heartfelt that it takes time to peel off every layer to realize just how unbelievably substantive this album is. Arcade Fire comes as close to matching Bruce Springsteen during his heyday as we're ever likely to get.… Collapse
  2. RamonGuerrero
    May 1, 2014
    10
    A spectacular masterpiece, with moving lyrics and songs that will make you click on that replay bottom every time you hear them. Cant getA spectacular masterpiece, with moving lyrics and songs that will make you click on that replay bottom every time you hear them. Cant get enough of Arcade Fire. It feels like Spike Jonze, The Coen Bros, Wes Anderson and David O Russell were musicians.… Expand
  4. listenindoubt
    Aug 18, 2010
    10
    If you listen to the album in its entirety, without skipping over tracks or stopping, you might just understand how great this work of art is.If you listen to the album in its entirety, without skipping over tracks or stopping, you might just understand how great this work of art is. Forget about breaking it down and analyzing each song, just press play and away you'll go.… Expand
  5. Beats
    Aug 16, 2010
    10
    After seeing them on the Daily Show, i was amazed by what i heard. Anyone in their right minds would love this album. In any means, a pureAfter seeing them on the Daily Show, i was amazed by what i heard. Anyone in their right minds would love this album. In any means, a pure masterpiece.… Expand
  6. Peaver
    Sep 22, 2010
    9
    Okay, so the Butlers did grow up in America. Their Canadian heritage is smoke screen, but to be forgiven, as how else would have Win met Rene.Okay, so the Butlers did grow up in America. Their Canadian heritage is smoke screen, but to be forgiven, as how else would have Win met Rene. The albums chills the soul when Rene is allowed to use her warbling soprano to tell us of our societal woes. "Rococo's" ever higher spiral of power chording ends too soon. The Sprawl I&II makes a tear come from the eye corner. David Bowie is still tapping his foot to the beat skip that drives "Modern Man".
    If you are a fan of Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac.... do not miss "The Suburbs"
    Has any Indie Rock band actually held the #1 in album sales position before? It was only for a week as Disney spoiled it with another "Bieber " release.    … Expand
  7. Doug
    Aug 9, 2010
    9
    These guys are getting better every album. I was inspired to buy this album on Amazon.com for $3.99 after watching the live concert onThese guys are getting better every album. I was inspired to buy this album on Amazon.com for $3.99 after watching the live concert on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ArcadeFireVEVO… Expand
  8. grosraton
    Apr 4, 2011
    0
    Not bad, if it wasn't of the sound quality. One of the most disappointing crap of all the music industry. Audiophiles, beware! Don't pay forNot bad, if it wasn't of the sound quality. One of the most disappointing crap of all the music industry. Audiophiles, beware! Don't pay for it. You will not have more sound quality from the CD than from a 128kbps mp3. I'm serious, but conscious that only few people will notice what I'm talking about... especially those who recorded the album.… Expand

See all 128 User Reviews

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11
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