Funeral
by Arcade Fire
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1057 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 969 out of 1057
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1057
  3. Negative: 63 out of 1057

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. sarahd
    Feb 8, 2005
    10
    best record i've heard in a while
  2. TagomagoT.
    Mar 13, 2005
    10
    Beautiful and exhilirating. This is a stunning album.
  3. PascalV
    Mar 14, 2005
    10
    Their intense emotion is not much seen nowdays, sadly enough...
  4. LeMolusque
    Mar 19, 2005
    10
    I don't konw how to put this one out of my cd player. I tried the Open button, i also put my stereo and the record in flames, but Win Butler's voice sounds in my head over and over : "and if the storm..."
  5. JoshO
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    The best album ever. I love the combination as "va deemee" stated. The accordion and orchestra collaborate perfectly. Butler's lyrics are mesmerizing and every song they have. This is my favorite band now.
  6. ag
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    Probably the best of all the new albums this year so far, an outstanding achievement.
  7. LaikaH
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    I DONT KNOW HOW I LIVED WITH OUT THIS ALBUM!! This is the best album, and quite possibly the best band, I have ever heard. The serious foot-stomping tune of Power Out(Nbr #3) is mesmerizing and Rebellion is an amazing song
  8. KonstantinosC
    Apr 11, 2005
    10
    Art and power in an out-of-time and out-of-styles record ! Excellent !
  9. DanC
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    Simply one of the greatest of all time. Not to mention that it is their debut. But the album fails in comparison to their powerful carthatic shows that will you speechless. Simply put this album is meant to change your fucking life. And it will.
  10. robertd
    Apr 20, 2005
    10
    This is the best album i have heard in a long time, possibly ever. I don't ever remember being this excited about a new band. It hit me the first time i listened to it, the music is so beautiful and emotional, i can't believe they are this good on their debut album!
  11. TheMan
    May 27, 2005
    10
    What can I say? Breathtaking! Rebellion (Lies) is one of the best songs I've heard in ages!
  12. MattP
    Jun 27, 2005
    10
    had me holding back tears when I first listened to it. The only album that can stand besides 'SMiLE' as album of the decade.
  13. MikeF
    Jun 28, 2005
    10
    Amazing stuff. Nearly all of the songs are great.
  14. bigboi
    Jul 23, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums ever. tunnels-10/10 laika-10/10 une anne sans lummiere-8/10 powerout-9/10 kettles-8.5/10 crown of love-10/10 wake up-8.5/10 haiti-8/10 rebellion-10/10 the backseat-8/10 overall-9/10 ~SO awesome. get it now
  15. Mark
    Jul 27, 2005
    10
    Unreal. And if you think the album is good, see them live. Believe me, you haven't heard these songs until you've heard them live.
  16. kellyb
    Aug 1, 2005
    10
    AWEsome
  17. SylvainT
    Aug 9, 2005
    10
    Absolutely "magnifique"! Even my mom likes it.
  18. BenD
    Sep 2, 2005
    10
    Hmm, Funeral has been getting a lot of good reviews. Perhaps a few too many good reviews...Nah, who am I kidding? Funeral is awesome. Buy it.
  19. MatthewH
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    A truly rich, impressive album
  20. MusicMaven
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    I've waited to comment on this for a while. Just let it sink in over the last year or so. And I've come to the conclusion that this is a true classic that will stand the test of time. The fist-pumping anthems and slow-burning ballads both have a naked emotional intensity. The lush music, with its brilliantly timed tempo shifts and unexpected codas, never seems to get old. If you I've waited to comment on this for a while. Just let it sink in over the last year or so. And I've come to the conclusion that this is a true classic that will stand the test of time. The fist-pumping anthems and slow-burning ballads both have a naked emotional intensity. The lush music, with its brilliantly timed tempo shifts and unexpected codas, never seems to get old. If you are a music fan, you owe it to yourself to check it out!… Expand
  21. AnnaJ
    Sep 7, 2005
    10
    The music is as wonderful as the inspired conceptual lyrics. The Arcade Fire blow my brains but carefully put it back together afterwards. And then it's like they were never there to start with.
  22. Stefanos
    Oct 2, 2006
    10
    A masterpiece, that's for sure. A little weird and very hard to compare to something because they sound unlike anything I've heard so far. This album just has a warm, radiant glow about it, as silly as that may sound. Give it a try, you'll love it.
  23. JoshuaF
    Dec 3, 2006
    10
    Simply put: amazing. The third time through, I was hanging on every note, anticipating the climaxes in the songs, and even rewinding to hear them again.
  24. omaro
    Dec 9, 2006
    10
    This Album is the musical equivalent to Fireworks , it's that good, scratch that Monumental.
  25. venusinfurs
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    gorgeous...take a deep breath before listen to...
  26. HeitorV
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    This album is the best one released in 2005
  27. danp
    Feb 13, 2006
    10
    one of the best albums ever made
  28. Kev
    Feb 17, 2006
    10
    Tiny Mix Tapes says:"One of the best albums of the year, hands down." I say: "One of the best album ever, hands down."
  29. TomC
    Mar 27, 2006
    10
    this is a breath takingly great album, i have fallen in love with rebellion/lies, the harmonies, the piano, everything about it! fantastic
  30. williamo
    Mar 9, 2006
    10
    essential, classic, masterpiece, white album....
  31. AzureP
    May 26, 2006
    10
    i love this album sooooo much.
  32. AndrewS
    May 30, 2006
    10
    "Funeral" is to a work of vibrant art as most pop albums are a study in one "color" or two.
  33. Jack
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    Album of the year
  34. ZacF
    Jul 18, 2006
    10
    beautiful....
  35. Capu
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    beautiful, chilling, haunting, but amazing... album of the year... and so much more.... and tunnels is one of the greatest pieces of music ever written...
  36. KazO.
    Oct 19, 2007
    10
    Wud have given it 100 out of ten if possible, genuis!!
  37. StevenC
    Jan 21, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums of all-time
  38. DavidF.
    Dec 5, 2007
    10
    The only negative thing I could say about this album is that all my favorite songs on it sound fairly similar. Probably one of my 20 favorite albums. I was on the fence about whether it was a "9" or "10." It's not Zen Arcade, I can't rate that record.
  39. mickc
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    one of the most beautiful works i've bought
  40. MattK
    Feb 5, 2007
    10
    Simply an amazing debut album!
  41. RandyD
    Mar 3, 2007
    10
    Best album of the decade
  42. ChrisJ
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    I must have listened to Funeral 100 times when I first bought it, shortly after it came out. The Arcade Fire's new album, while good, mostly just made me want to go back and listen to the first one, which I did. I am even more amazed now by the originality and musicality of these songs. There's so much energy--rhythmic, harmonic, vocal, and lyrical. Neighborhood #2 and Wake Up I must have listened to Funeral 100 times when I first bought it, shortly after it came out. The Arcade Fire's new album, while good, mostly just made me want to go back and listen to the first one, which I did. I am even more amazed now by the originality and musicality of these songs. There's so much energy--rhythmic, harmonic, vocal, and lyrical. Neighborhood #2 and Wake Up have to be two of the best songs of the decade.… Expand
  43. ThibaultC
    Dec 15, 2008
    10
    Maybe the true mile stone of 00's indie pop, a instant shadow/light deeply original masterpiece. Melancoly and mourning merges with intense orchestral joie de vivre, all the drama of being human in a disc.
  44. Steve
    Feb 17, 2008
    10
    Definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. I had never really heard music until I listened to this album.
  45. EvanG.
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    Not only does every song on Funeral give your heart a massage for every emotion (When you're pissed off, listen to "Neighborhood # 3 (Power Out) and scream along as Win Bulter belts out rhyme about human kind and the end of civilization over rapid jazz chords and dancing glackenspeil, and when you're feeling relentlessly happy, try any of "Wake Up", three of the best sounding Not only does every song on Funeral give your heart a massage for every emotion (When you're pissed off, listen to "Neighborhood # 3 (Power Out) and scream along as Win Bulter belts out rhyme about human kind and the end of civilization over rapid jazz chords and dancing glackenspeil, and when you're feeling relentlessly happy, try any of "Wake Up", three of the best sounding chords ever put together for five whole minutes, "Haiti", a Bjork-meets-Springsteen romp, or "Rebelion (Lies)"), But on top of all that, the band's mastery of their instruments, their contagious energy, and their brilliant songcraft. Could this be the greatest album ever made? Yes. Yes it could.… Expand
  46. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    I won't pretend it doesn't take a certain amount of intelligence and commitment to appreciate it, but boy does it pay off.
  47. MarkS
    Apr 26, 2008
    10
    Hugely original, beautiful, with just the right amount of edginess. Gets stronger with repeated listens.
  48. DR
    Apr 26, 2008
    10
    This album never gets old.
  49. CormacR
    May 16, 2008
    10
    Album of the decade.
  50. chrisw
    Jul 10, 2008
    10
    Funeral is easily the best album of the last 10 years.
  51. TiagoA.
    Oct 4, 2009
    10
    This album is incredible, one of those best album of this decade.
  52. MikeH
    Jul 18, 2009
    10
    The best album of the 00's by far. And stacks up with one of the best of all time. Singer win needs to get a better voice though.
  53. frankiep
    Nov 17, 2004
    10
    finesse, captivating, unsettling, rewarding, settling, wonderful.
  54. TjasaM
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    Best album of the year, hands down! Strikingly beautiful, emotional and electrifying. I haven't been impressed so much by a new band for a long time. You just have to love them :)
  55. JimmyD
    Nov 3, 2004
    10
    Best album of the year, no question. Extremely inspirational and emotional. Total success. No other 2004 album can match up.
  56. MaxK
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    Anyone that says this album is less than brilliant must be trying not to like it based on the hype. Best album of the year.
  57. StoP
    Oct 21, 2004
    10
    The Arcade Fire have an eclectic sound that is familiar yet fresh. Funeral is exactly what it's supposed to be, 10 tracks of pure entertainment! Hit after hit after hit.
  58. dan
    Dec 17, 2004
    10
    shame on you and the 10 generations that will follow your line if you don't BUY and OWN this cd i think i'm serious
  59. IS
    Dec 30, 2004
    10
    My vote for album of the year.
  60. jeffm
    Dec 9, 2004
    10
    this album achieves such fantastic emotional peaks, it makes me do the same. horn, strings, keyboards, fat guitar riffs, they're all hugely important on this album.
  61. DevinB
    Sep 17, 2004
    10
    Stunningly diverse, passionate, and well-formed debut album. This was released less than a week ago, and has already won its place as my favorite album of the year thus far.
  62. damonm
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    I haven't had my ass kicked this hard by an album on initial listen for a long time. This thing sings with rawness, purity and sincerity that is actually pretty damn moving to hear. Not to mention the uncliched, unrestrained emotion that graces every song. Each track is beautiful.. there are no duds at all. This is an album to love from beginning to end. My favourite of the year so far.
  63. ThadeusS
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    You will simply not find a more emotional current release out there.
  64. BillH
    Sep 24, 2004
    10
    Good god. It's just overwhelming.
  65. ebokw
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    cements 2004 as one of the best music years since the late 80s/early 90s
  66. JayN
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    Real emo
  67. ElizabethP
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    Terrific cd. This is the best band in the world and I can't wait for their next album. FiINALLY, a band that lives up to the hype!
  68. rorymc
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    this is why i love music so much...this album is like a drug, each play makes you more of an arcarde fire addict...superb!!
  69. digitalfreefall-
    Nov 18, 2005
    10
    Arcade Fire, my faith had been lost in the artists of my generation. You have awoken part of my soul that had for an age seemed lost, i am forevert in your gratitude. Love DigitalFreeFall
  70. KrisB
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    When I first heard The Arcade Fire, it was on MTV. My first impression of the band was that they were just some generic indie sensation of the week. After reading the reviews on Metacritic, I decided to give it a listen. (Imagine: Pitchfork actually liking something. That's basically what did it for me.) The first time I listened to the entire album, I recognized the artistic talent When I first heard The Arcade Fire, it was on MTV. My first impression of the band was that they were just some generic indie sensation of the week. After reading the reviews on Metacritic, I decided to give it a listen. (Imagine: Pitchfork actually liking something. That's basically what did it for me.) The first time I listened to the entire album, I recognized the artistic talent of the band. However, (and this is the funny part) I felt nothing when i heard it. The second time I listened to it I came to a conclusion: I was emotionally dead when it came to non-instrumental(ie. Godspeed) music that I had actually developed a talent for recognizing good music while keeping my emotions a safe distance away. I'm sure this was either a product of listening to too much music or letting myself settle into a comfortable little rut. I am incredibly grateful to The Arcade Fire for awakening a part of me that I had forgotten about; the same part of me that first stirred when I heard OK Computer.… Expand
  71. Everton
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    The most beautiful album of the year. A great and stylish way of being sad.
  72. Dan
    Jan 17, 2005
    10
    Easily my favorite album of 2004, maybe the best I've ever heard. I can't stop listening. Every song has been my favorite at one time or another, and many have given me goosebumps...music has never done that to me before. Just an amazing album.
  73. DavidS
    Jan 17, 2005
    10
    As fantastic as is this record, the Arcade Fire's live performance is absolutely blistering. If you only go to one more live show for the rest of your life, make it the Arcade Fire.
  74. EricV
    Jan 18, 2005
    10
    Just....beautiful
  75. PeterM
    Jan 18, 2005
    10
    This Album is one of greatest things in music since the Pixies
  76. SKlein
    Dec 12, 2005
    10
    Incredible, fantastic, perfect!
  77. kitty
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    Emoational, beautiful sensational!
  78. SeamusM
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    Absolutely deadly.A brilliant Mesiterwerk!A masterpeice!A tour de force! A musical hurricane!!
  79. [Anonymous]
    Jan 23, 2005
    10
    incredible
  80. BenR.
    Feb 26, 2005
    10
    A great CD... it's just high quality stuff. Original, interesting, and well thought-out. The Arcade Fire rawk. ;-)
  81. AdamE
    Mar 12, 2005
    10
    AMAZING! OMFG!
  82. evil
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    Brilliant, best cd of last year. And there were some great cds last year too.
  83. TimM
    Apr 13, 2005
    10
    OMFG ORGASM!
  84. KevinK
    Apr 18, 2005
    10
    "Funeral" is one of the few albums that actually deserves a "10". Consider early 80's "The Cure", modified by better "lo-fi" production, more dynamic musical score, and an unbelievable raw energy, and you'll get an idea of what this album is like. This album is solid from top to bottom. There is nothing revolutionary about this album; it's simply one of the best "indie "Funeral" is one of the few albums that actually deserves a "10". Consider early 80's "The Cure", modified by better "lo-fi" production, more dynamic musical score, and an unbelievable raw energy, and you'll get an idea of what this album is like. This album is solid from top to bottom. There is nothing revolutionary about this album; it's simply one of the best "indie rock" albums you'll ever hear. This album is only surpassed by their live shows.… Expand
  85. JessH
    May 21, 2005
    10
    Coachella was awsum.... They are upbeat and still care about the people who really listen to them
  86. nicolas
    May 27, 2005
    10
    Amazing!! both raw(guitars) and subtil(xylo, piano, violin ...) almost all songs are really good, love the crescendos and the final melodies of some (lies, crow melody) which would be the album's main melody of a lot of others bands, sure they have plenty of songs still in their bags
  87. MyriamS
    Jun 15, 2005
    10
    I get giddy when I hear new music I love. And that doesn't happen too often. The Arcade Fire is going to burn through the rocking world!
  88. Isaac
    Jun 18, 2005
    10
    on a journey through the sleepy village of mediocrity it moves unnoticed, not a sound. Arcade Fire awaken only the well listed ears. truly the thinkers music. truly magnificent.
  89. KarlaM
    Jul 13, 2005
    10
    Doesn't sound like anything out there today. Amazing!
  90. paulj
    Jul 29, 2005
    10
    Incredibly melodic and haunting record. It brings the return of real emo without the desperately shallow lyrics of Dashboard and the ridicuous whining of other emo indie bands.
  91. PaulT
    Oct 21, 2006
    10
    Simply amazing, no way to doubt it.
  92. aftonc
    Jan 22, 2006
    10
    Funeral has become a subtle addiction. The shear imensity of this album begs the listener to return again and again.
  93. PhilipS
    Mar 22, 2006
    10
    A magical, mysterious, wonderful, beautiful, elegant album. Lyrically superb and if you understand the context to the album then you realise how wonderful this album is. Flawless
  94. JaimeZ
    May 23, 2006
    10
    An instant classic. Superb, wonderful, shadowy, ironical and sometimes sad. The winter feels in every song.
  95. JeffF
    Aug 13, 2006
    10
    Spectacular album.
  96. LukeT
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    shear beauty
  97. LucasK
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    This album is so beautiful and amazing that it fucks w/ your mind.
  98. alexanderh
    Apr 27, 2007
    10
    Operatic, thrilling, beautiful, haunting, best album in many years; pumps heart into the blood; Like nothing you have heard before.
  99. Mike
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    An amazing album! Perfect 10!!!!
  100. StevenS
    Jul 15, 2007
    10
    Pablo, I'm not sure if you're intelligent enough to realize this, but that wasn't overproduction - it was the MEMBERS of the BAND the ARCADE FIRE who were playing those stringed instruments that are so rarely emphasized in music like this. A lot of people don't like Win Butlers voice because they can't grasp the fact that he's always constraining himself from Pablo, I'm not sure if you're intelligent enough to realize this, but that wasn't overproduction - it was the MEMBERS of the BAND the ARCADE FIRE who were playing those stringed instruments that are so rarely emphasized in music like this. A lot of people don't like Win Butlers voice because they can't grasp the fact that he's always constraining himself from being completely overwhelmed by emotion. As for the Bon Jovi statement, that you can even think that is pretty laughable as Bon Jovi is one of the most mainstream rock artists of all time and constantly falling into endles and repetitive cliches. Now, it's time for my review. To put it simply, I strongly feel that this album may just be the in the VERY small group of albums ranking as the absolute best of the 2000's. The album also is so strikingly emotional that it puts bands who label themselves as "emo," to absolute shame. The back story of the album makes some of the lyrics (as well as the instrumentation) even more powerful. I'm looking forward to what they do after Neon Bible.… Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2004
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Almost Cool
    83
    If I were to have just heard the first half of the disc, I probably would have proclaimed it the best of the year as well.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    97
    So long as we're unable or unwilling to fully recognize the healing aspect of embracing honest emotion in popular music, we will always approach the sincerity of an album like Funeral from a clinical distance. Still, that it's so easy to embrace this album's operatic proclamation of love and redemption speaks to the scope of The Arcade Fire's vision.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Marred by indie-rock clichés and occasional over-effort, it remains frustrating.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »