User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 918 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 819 out of 918
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Mixed: 71 out of 918
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Negative: 28 out of 918
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GuyHMar 9, 2007
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MikePMar 9, 2007Not as great as Funeral, but still up there. The scope of the music and lyrics has expanded, and thankfully, on the whole, the songs havent been lost under the need to make a 'new' sound. The one let down for me is that one of the best tracks - No Cars Go - is a revamped version of a 3 year old song from their original EP, and i prefer the old mix!
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PerspicaciousCriticMar 9, 2007I don't know why some bands, like Doves, who have a very similar, epic and emotive sound as Arcade Fire (and who, to me, surpass Arcade Fire) doesn't get the overzealous, universal hype, like Arcade Fire. Fate can be fickle, sometimes.
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MikeBMar 8, 2007I think I actually like Neon Bible more than Funeral. . .and that's saying something.
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scottcMar 8, 2007This is "big rock" done right. A powerful album.
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RobbieCMar 8, 2007I feel luke warm about this album. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I may have to spend more time with it, but so far, I think Neon Bible is over-rated and over-hyped. Funeral was rich in places that don't exist on this album. The best track on here is No Cars Go... and that's disappointing... that track was already great on their eponymous debut!
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[Anonymous]Mar 8, 2007I personally like this album as much or more than I like Funeral. It's still an Arcade Fire album, but there are some songs that seem different. (the title track, which is one of my favorites) This album will almost definitely make my Best of 2007 list.
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M.C.Mar 8, 2007Tal como o Funeral o Neon Bible é claramente GENIAL!!!
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JasonSMar 8, 2007Another top notch outing!
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KevinRMar 8, 2007A very strong follow up to Funeral, yet it just doesn't quite flow as well.
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RubyW.Mar 8, 2007So this is what the emperor wears--nothing at all! I liked the first album, but this one is almost unlistenable. Yes--the lyrics are cryptic. The music swells and swirls! Too bad the songs aren't good.
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EricO.Mar 7, 2007
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AmandaSMar 7, 2007No Funeral, but what is? Im just glad to hear more from them. A few of the songs are complete Gems. Can't wait to see them live in a few months!
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LukeTMar 7, 2007The first play was alright, but like most of the reviews say, it does take a couple spins because it is so rich and powerful to fully absorb in one go. It truely is beautiful.
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KeithVMar 7, 2007Give this one a chance. It's a keeper.
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AramisGMar 7, 2007Really good second album! Takes a few listens to sink in. Not as catchy as Funeral, but whatever bands can't always make every album as good as their "best". Love the Bruce Springstien-esque songs. One thing that is a little lazy is putting No Cars Go on this album. The new version isn't that different. I would have preffered to just have another new song.
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TomYMar 7, 2007Let's face it. This album was never going to live up to the hype. Nonetheless, the album is quite polished and beautiful. Intervention delivers some of the passion we heard on Funeral with a church-like organ backdrop. I didn't like that they re-recorded no cars go. It really isn't much different than the original.
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DDBMar 7, 2007
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JoeAMar 7, 2007
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MattD.Mar 7, 2007I just didn't get Funeral like others did, and still don't see what the big deal about Neon Bible is. Yes, the songs are given a little more room, but there's still a cinematic quality that works against them. It's like they try too hard to be hip and give the critics what they want. Concentrate more on developing the songs.
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TimBMar 7, 2007I had high expectations for this album after Funeral, and they delivered. It is exceptional and I want to listen to it over and over again and dissect every song.
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NaveenPMar 7, 2007As strong, if not stronger than Funeral
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DaveMar 7, 2007I've listened to this a few times now, and i have to say I think it is a bit overrated. There are some very good songs here, but none that come close to the greatness of "Wake Up" or "Crown of Love". I'm just amazed at the number of people calling this a masterpiece, it's far from it at least imo.
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SimonOMar 7, 2007i like it. however there arent enough stand out tracks for me. its very much an album album, like pitchfork said u can only really access it from one point and thats the opening track and then it takes u on a dense, moody, glorious journey from there on in
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JohnKMar 7, 2007It took a couple listens but I am hooked. I think it is just as good as Funeral.
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ToddWMar 7, 2007
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mathkMar 7, 2007heartbreakingly dark. not as good as funeral but still amazing. listen to it a couple times and it'll haunt you. no cars go and keep the car running give me goosebumps they're so good. doubt i'll hear anything nearly as good as this all year.
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ChrisGMar 7, 2007Absolutely brilliant. Those who diss or don't get it are either not listening closely enough or don't enjoy the band for what it is.
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SylvioMMar 7, 2007So far the worst album them.
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kingmikMar 7, 2007briliant...even better then the first one...
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MattAMar 6, 2007Another Amazing album. This is a CD that you have to listen to LOUD AS HELL to appreciate. I simply love it. The band stays true to its own unique form while showing a new perspective to a darker side of the same band. Beautiful.
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JakeMMar 6, 2007Not even close to 'Funeral'. The production fits in well with the new 'Springstein/U2' feel of their music. Stadium rock. Listening to their albums side by side reveal how far they've plummeted into the music industry.
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AFFanMar 6, 2007amazing, essential, breathtaking. Funeral had the edge in lyrics, Neon Bible in sheer musical power and beauty. I need to listen to Neon Bible until the songs are as integrated into my life as Funeral's are, and then i'll be able to address the question of which I enjoy better. I have a feeling Neon Bible will take the crown, but not by much. The Arcade Fire are amazing.
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EvanGMar 6, 2007A weird, fun, dark, gleefull romp that should be heard like it's name suggests.
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ArielDMar 6, 2007an incredible, great album. better than funeral
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KrisBMar 6, 2007
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SeanP.Mar 6, 2007Quite honestly, as good as Funeral, for different reasons. In other words, it's pretty %#$@ great. The best of 2007 so far, and i've heard the new Peter Bjorn and Field Music and Of Montreal and Shins.
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DaveJMar 6, 2007As good as Funeral. Canada is home to the most underrated band in the world (AF) & the most overrated (NIckelback - the win a Juno every year for crap).
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ManuelVMar 6, 2007Its a great album, so powerful.. personally I like it better than funeral, its more mature I guess and have more details (if that is possible). I want more of it!! And I think the same, it take you some time to growing on you.. but onces it does you would not want to stop listening to it. Great work from a great band.
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JohnBMar 6, 2007I don't hesitate to consider Neon Bible one of the most significant contributions to music in many years. If this album doesn't hit you emotionally you are one cold and bitter person.
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JimDMar 6, 2007What is someone looking for the deffinative online review of Neon Bible to do? Some praise the Arcade Fire
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DiegoLMar 6, 2007Arcade Fire shoots a friendly agony enveloped in magnificent church organs, dramatic chorus, glorious violins, and cathartic atmospheres in cryptic lyrics, giving us the same intensity and waved emotion, from a different perspective, and moving away of Funeral's masterpiece
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RussellMMar 6, 2007This is an awesome, era-defining record. Bruce touched on the 9/11 bit on 'Rising', but Arcade Fire have wrapped up the whole post 9/11 thing with a storming album. Best of the best is "Intervention".
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adamhMar 5, 2007i still don't get this band. they seem like a bunch of pretentious rich kids to me. i think it would be healthier for teenagers today to buy the black lips and stay clear of this "emotional" jive.
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justinbMar 5, 2007nothing but greatness here
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SirukuNMar 5, 2007
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KellyMar 5, 2007If anything this album is under-hyped.
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HannahKMar 5, 2007At a first listen Neon Bible didn't grab me like Funeral, but by the second or third play it had sucked me in.
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JesusBaconMar 5, 2007I wasn't expecting it to live up to the hype, and it didn't, but it's still a pretty damn good album.
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DeryWMar 5, 2007Disappointing on first listen but it slowly grows on you and now I am hooked.
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Seeds13Mar 5, 2007
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AndyPMar 5, 2007This is not a funeral so keep your comparisons apart from an album that truly stands on its own.
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DKMar 5, 2007
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TaylorJMar 5, 2007Definitely on par and actually a little more consistent than Funeral. Ocean of Noise, No Cars Go, Keep The Car Running are the standouts for me.
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TannerCMar 5, 2007
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reyMar 5, 2007I feel bad for the arcade fire because they set the bar so freakin high with "Funeral" that it is really hard, for me at least, to listen to "Neon Bible" "objectively". i don't think that this album will get the respect it deserves it. nevertheless, it is a worthy follow-up. songs like "ocean of noise"", "no cars go", and "keep the car running" are top-notch.
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JonathanEMar 5, 2007
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HenrikSMar 5, 2007This album is not nearly as good as "Funeral".
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GabrielPMar 5, 2007Darker, and as great as Funeral.
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MarciusMar 5, 2007Michael S. said it all.
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miguelk.Mar 5, 2007Perfect follow-up to "Funeral." This album will last for a long time.
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MarcGMar 5, 2007such a disappointment...
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panoseMar 5, 2007Canadian magic
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CraigMar 4, 2007one of those CD's that you warm up to more and more the more you listen to it.
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matthMar 4, 2007another incredible record from the best indie band in the world.
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JoeDMar 4, 2007I wouldn't say it's better than Funeral, but I sure wouldn't say it's worse, either. Both are perfect in different ways, and I couldn't be happier with this album.
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MarkMar 4, 2007Eww! This is a disgusting record from a talented band.
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OliverCMar 4, 2007As a follow up for funeral it feels a little sad at first. But after a few listens it really does add a whole new great sound to the Arcade Fire's history. The only thing it could use is some more variation, but what it does focus on it does very well. Would love to see them live..
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KrisSMar 4, 2007By all means, I don't believe it is better than Funeral... However, I can't put the damn thing down! I can't stop playing it constantly whether at home or driving to work or even in my head.
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Mr.HankeyMar 4, 2007It's a near-perfect attempt at gothic gospel rock. Deep, lyrically and musically, Neon Bible proves this band as being the most important band of the decade. "Funeral" was a brilliant album, Neon Bible sounds nothing like it but still has this essence of childlike innocence even if it is darker. They are back!
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MichaelDMar 4, 2007Two of the biggest mistakes seen in most sophmore albums are that they sound exactly the same and/or lack the musical talent that was seen in its predecessor. The Arcade Fire has created something that equals, or even improves, on their previous musical effort. Not only that, they have taken a new direction altogether... and they pulled it off.
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SinderVMar 4, 2007One of the best albums of the 2000's. Whatever its excesses may be, they are easily justified.
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ChuckSMar 4, 2007even though it's cool to slag off the arcade fire now, i just can't do it! this album is great!
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YannnisG.Mar 4, 2007I have to admit that Funeral didn't really hook me ; i find this album quite better than their previous one...
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YannnisG.Mar 4, 2007I have to admit that Funeral didn't really hook me ; i find this album quite better than their previous one...
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AzuMar 4, 2007just charming :)
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PatS.Mar 4, 2007Their lyrics are clumsy and obvious. More ambiguity needed, pronto.
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jeffreyjMar 3, 2007Get over it. These guys and girls are the same boys and girls that got there butts kicked in high school. Losers!
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RichardPMar 3, 2007Some great songs. Some really not great songs. But let's avoid hyperboles like "best band ever". That just shows how few bands you've listened to.
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ChelseahMar 3, 2007I feel a stronger connection to this album than Funeral. Powerful album, talented artists.
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RobJ.Mar 3, 2007This isn't a bad record, but it seems like they're channeling Bruce Springsteen on this one much more than the Talking Heads or the Pixies. Disappointing compared to Funeral.
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JordanMar 3, 2007headline: Win Butler channels Roy Orbison-Wins hearts, minds.
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robertbMar 3, 2007Whilst it has taken a while with certain tracks "keep the car running" hit me immediatly as a monumental tune of rebellion proportions - well worth the wait what would you suggest we all be listening to steve?
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LeoFMar 3, 2007at first i was astonished. but then i listened to it more and more and more... and now I think it's just good.
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KevinEMar 3, 2007
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PaulCMar 3, 2007This album is phenomenal. I'd almost go so far as to say its better than Funeral. Almost.
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JohnQ.PubilusMar 3, 2007The musical equivalent of WMDs in Iraq. We kept hearing all about them (i.e. the great songs supposedly on this record) but when looked for, nothing was found. Funeral was bloated and directionless, but at least energetic. This is just bloated.
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DubyaUMar 2, 2007Beautiful and on par with Funeral. To everyone who says this band is undeserving of such praise should probably go get their ears checked.
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dgMar 2, 2007How they didn't disappoint us after Funeral is beyond me...but this album picks up at just the right spot, with a different sound, but a great listen again. These guys are on fire.
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FredHMar 2, 2007I can't be bored of this album...best of 2007 so far. Good second album... great lyric...great song wow!!! Watch out they're coming again !!!
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ForrealMar 2, 2007Woah! ALbum of the year???
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JacksonGMar 2, 2007How could you not be disappointed after Funeral? Decent, but I've heard much much better albums this year alone.
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TomNMar 2, 2007I loved Arcade Fire's Funeral album and their EP. But, if I had rated Neon Bible two weeks ago on my first listen I would have only rated it an 8. However, I have found myself listening to this album almost exclusively since then and would now rate it an easy perfect 10. It takes a little while to sink in but this album is ultimately one of my favorite albums of all time.
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t0nySMar 2, 2007imo, not as good as funeral, but then again, funeral took awhile for me to like it. At first listen i enjoyed it alot, hopefully as the listens build up it follows suite, much like funeral. I give it an 8, check it out!
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KevinCMar 2, 2007Here's an idea: stop being so fixated on Funeral. This obsessive need to rank Neon Bible as "better" or "worse" is getting tiring. Neon Bible is an amazing record and fully stands on its own without the need for Funeral to prop it up. I realize we're only 3 months in, but so far there's simply no album this year that comes even close to the brilliance and power of Neon Bible.
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TonyDMar 2, 2007Best band ever.
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JoeGMar 2, 2007Not as immediately gripping as Funeral was, but after a few listens, I can honestly say that I prefer this to Funeral. The songs seem to have more focus, the album seems more connected, and the organ sounds incredible on the tracks they use it on.
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MattMMar 2, 2007Brilliant follow-up perfectly captures the anxiety of our times.
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MihaiVMar 2, 2007Easily album of the year so far. They've done it again. This is music for the ages.
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samMar 2, 2007their transcendent qualities are evident even if this record isn't quite perfect.
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Awards & Rankings
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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’.
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The Canadian septet are the greatest art rock group since Talking Heads stopped making sense.
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Alternative PressWhile 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]