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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tboneApr 29, 2007Ugg. So many bad things to say. Like Destroyer and New Pornographers, you gotta either love em or hate em. I don't buy the schtick. barely veiled ripoffs of better artists. Too many gimicks. Overly bombastic. Pam Anderson remains the best thing to come out of Canada by alot.
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MattGApr 27, 2007
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JustinSApr 27, 2007A pretty good sophmore effort. Most of the tracks are pretty good, but there's nothing that really stands out like on their from album like "Lies" or "Neighborhood #1". "Intervention" is really the only track that capture the magic from "Funeral".
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thythiApr 25, 2007Hypnotic melodies, wall of sound, the perfect soundtrack for springtime...
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AlexCApr 25, 2007I think that AF have gone one step further than "Funeral" with this album. I have to say that I didn't expect it, but that's what I believe. Tracks 1,2 & 4 sound incredible and the rest are all great songs. I'd doubt whether I'll hear a more likeable album this year.
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hoonerApr 25, 2007Sounds like it was recorded in a shed! NOT the best band of all time, I wish you people would get some perspective and stop herelding evry new band the best ever.
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EvanBApr 22, 2007BEST album of the year by far! Neon Bible has been in my car for over 1 month straight and is the only thing I have listened to! It will probably be there for another month or two! Only gets better with repeated listens!
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MGApr 22, 2007The best album of last 5 years. Moving, deep and beautiful.
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MarkFoxyApr 19, 2007
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EddieQApr 19, 2007Sounds like Springsteen filling in as a vocalist with Interpol or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah as backup- brilliant. I prefer this album over Funeral - more stripped down - less cacophony!
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BrianCApr 18, 2007
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PondCApr 17, 2007The unpredictable moods and styles, lots of music instruments and vocal style are well differentiated them from other indy bands.
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DJMiknocheApr 16, 2007This is a wonderful disc. Made me fall in love with rock music all over again. Just like when I first heard Patti Smith's "Horses" or Television's "Marquee Moon", or the Stones' "Exile..." or Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush". Arcade Fire's music makes me come apart in a blissful way! A disc for the ages...
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HexumNApr 15, 2007This album is overrated, but it's still very good. It can be slow and serious, and it's powerful. Has some meaning. Very diverse songs. It's worth a listen.
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markdApr 14, 2007
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ValdisPApr 12, 2007A fantastic CD and the best album of 2007 so far
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TeresaApr 10, 2007It's no Funeral, but a fantastic album nonetheless. Win Butler wins again.
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ErinKApr 10, 2007This may be a little premature but... I think we have the best rock album of the year. I just can't imagine anything else being better. Not only do I think we'll still be talking about this album as being one of the very best of 2008 come December, it may also be one of the best sophomore albums I've heard in years.
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pendepomoApr 9, 2007awsome, it actually blowed my mind, i thought the sound changing would be a bad thing, but they made it, in amother way, but they did great
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What'stheHypeApr 8, 2007These guys are borderline emo. Ugh... one of the song reminded me of Meat Loaf. Someone recommended them to me. Waste of my money.
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AaronNApr 7, 2007
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RobJApr 4, 2007A fantastic follow up to Funeral. The production quality has been improved upon the previous album. Up there with LCD Soundsystem's Sound of Silver as album of 2007.
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tiffanybApr 2, 2007i love this band and there music
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wolfbagApr 2, 2007Am I allowed to say this? Well...here goes...I thnik this is a pretty weak album compared to Funeral. It sounds like Arcade Fire doing Arcade Fire covers, i.e. a bit formulaic and overly dramatic, plus there's a lot of cringeworthy lyrics. The only surprising bit is the Springsteen impression, but if I wanted that I would have bought one of his own albums. There, I said it.
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SIApr 2, 2007'Intervention' is a theatrical god send. The entire record is blasphemously grand.
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LukeMApr 1, 2007
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CapuPApr 1, 2007what at first sounded like a disappointment (in comparison to funeral) has turned out to be a scintillating ride of an album. definitely requires more than one listen to really get into, but once you're caught up in the manic energy you'll never get out. Antichrist Television Blues is the best song since Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels), and Arcade Fire are the best band since Radiohead.
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AdanTMar 31, 2007A lush wall of sound of an album; a recording that may as well sit with the best of the decade.
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ErikRMar 31, 2007
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Erics.Mar 31, 2007Overrated.
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dingusgMar 30, 2007the reason why older NA indie bands are unrecognized is that they can't compete w/TAF. wah wah. if you've ever seen a live show, you know what i'm talkin about.
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DMarshMar 29, 2007I 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.
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LaurencePMar 29, 2007Just great! the more I listen to it the better it gets!!!
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TrentNMar 28, 2007Its a good album but i dont belive the band well ever put out anything as good a Funeral. The prduction on this album is really poor compared to the last one.
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QwanTMar 28, 2007I think that the average user rating of 9 out of 10 speaks for itself. Some people just cannot open their minds to forget Funeral and embrace this equally mesmerising work of art. Most, however, agree with me. Already one of the best albums of the decade!
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MarkZMar 28, 2007Boring and contrived... is there a pulse out there in Montreal? Two good tracks surrounding by garbage... this band gets more "they are so David Bowie cool" milage than any other I can remember. This is a limp comparison to Funeral......
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JamsieJMar 28, 2007I am a HUGE fan and ABSOLUTELY adore FUNERAL - it's my fav record. Neon Bible is very good too but not as thrilling as Funeral. It's like they're playing to a bigger audience with the anthemic nature of some of the songs. No Cars Go is still brilliant and i really like Intervention, Black Mirror, The Well and The Lighthouse plus the doom-laden feel to My Body is a Cage.
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JosephAMar 26, 2007This is a really good album, but the production is piss poor. Everything is covered by everything else leaving little room for any of the instrumentation to shine. The lyrics are great and the arrangements and songwriting as well. But unfortunately, its all very cramped and mono for such colorful instrumentation. A shame really.
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RodneyGMar 26, 2007This 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.
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TonySMar 25, 2007This is a brilliant album wothy of ten out of ten any day, but the thing is, it has actually made me appreciate funeral even more. These guys are the best live band in the universe too!!
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raysMar 24, 2007spellbinding!!
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rubenn.Mar 24, 2007excelent
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davewMar 24, 2007fantastic live set in brixton
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danaMar 23, 2007
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WallyZMar 23, 2007
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cfMar 23, 2007
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EliasK.Mar 23, 2007Doomsday never sounded so good.
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JayPMar 23, 2007
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michaelbMar 22, 2007
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JGMar 22, 2007Simply the best. Arcade Fire has the power to evoke emotion out of their listeners like no other band out there. Can't get enough of this album.
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SamHMar 22, 2007A generation-defining release of tension from post-modern pressures. A couple of weaker songs ("Intervention" and "Black Wave") are a little too melodramatic for me, but this is some of the most genuinely emotional alternative rock of the decade.
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KidAMar 20, 2007After I listened through this album the first time I let out a massive sigh of relief. My beloved Arcade Fire had made an album that maintained the immensely high standard of Funeral. If you loved Funeral, you will love this.
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andresLMar 20, 2007They deliver in spite of the insane expectations.
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ZeroSMar 20, 2007
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KevinJMar 19, 2007
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JonathanHMar 18, 2007
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ByronTheBulbMar 18, 2007
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SteveDMar 18, 2007
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karlravageMar 17, 2007Most powerful disc since PearlJam vs.Oh, and Rollingstone and NOW have a bunch of fags writing for them. Your skinny freaking legs in tight jeans are making your brain bleed!!!
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AndyMar 17, 2007Neon Bible doesn't hold gems like Crown of Love and Rebellion (Lies), but overall; it has many more great tracks. Slightly darker, almost goth, but it is one hell of an album.
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EvanSMar 17, 2007A huge fan of Funeral, I just don't get this album. The band pulls the same rally cry intended to put you on your feet but left me scratching my head. Why must every song on this album end sound like a potential theme song for the Olympics? Pure cheese. They can do better.
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MorganGMar 16, 2007BEWARE of the sophomore curse! A sadly, uninspiring CD. Arcade FIre, you can do better this!
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ScottWMar 16, 2007
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EthanSMar 16, 2007Wow. Just wow. Neon Bible has that certain something that all truly great albums somehow manage. More than being an easy favorite for Album of the year, Neon Bible may very well go down as Album of the Decade.
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LSMar 15, 2007Not great, not bad
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DickBMar 14, 2007
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DerekHMar 14, 2007This is an album of moments, events, and heterotopic spaces. Unfortunately, the band's approach is hindered in some tracks by static forms; and in others by movement/s which lose their relation to time and form. A great album--if it were by any band other than Arcade Fire.
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MichaelCMar 14, 2007
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RRMar 14, 2007Pure Magic.
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LukeRMar 13, 2007I listened to this album expecting another "Funeral", and it didn't do that, so the first listen was dissapointing. Subsequent listens really dawn on you the fact that this is not at all a bad thing, a really enjoyable album.
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ElizabethPMar 13, 2007
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BillPMar 13, 2007Anyone who has always been a fan of Springsteen's voice but couldn't bare his horrendous lyrics and show-bouty James Brown rip off act should like this album. No lyrics about dancing and waving a flag around here just great lines and fine musicianship. Glad he finally decided to stop imitating Byrne!
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JonPMar 13, 2007It must be nice to be a critically acclaimed band. The first album is at least an 8, while this languishes in the 5-6 range and yet it gets glowing reviews. It's boring. There is no Power Out. There is no Haiti. A colossal disappointment.
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TroyMMar 12, 2007Why 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.
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jaymMar 12, 2007great, really good. give it a 10 (only because funeral gets a 10.5). Alot of the time I hate when cds get slowed right down with softer tracks, but theres a few on this one and they sync great with the album.
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davegMar 12, 2007pretty good, but no funeral
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JohnnySMar 12, 2007Another average release from a mediocre band. There is simply a total lack of hooks or really anything solid to keep you coming back. No Cars Go is a good track though, if a little U2-ish.
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madslMar 12, 2007
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DecepticonPomMar 12, 2007Wow - I think this has provoked the most polarised user comments of any album on Metacritic! Personally, not nearly as good as the flawless Funeral, but still gut wrenchingly honest and melancholly. A wonderful experience.
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MattTMar 11, 2007Neon Bible is changing my life.
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ErinMar 11, 2007There's no need to compare this album to Funeral, and its great anyways.
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dojdMar 11, 2007adad
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KellyWalrusMar 11, 2007Although the songs on Neon Bible are on par with the songs on Funeral, I have to admit that Funeral is the overall better album. Also, as Kris B stated, the special edition is quite lame and is not worth the extra $12 (Canadian).
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JonFMar 11, 2007YAY! Thank god these people were put on Earth. Music is this and only what this should be.
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JonasFMar 11, 2007
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SeanVMar 10, 2007Everything I wanted, and more. Keep the Arcade Fire Running.
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laloMar 10, 2007Brilliant. Intense!
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markbMar 10, 2007I agree with one of the reviews that said this was much more "goth." It sounds a lot like Echo and the Bunnymen, but Echo and the Bunnymen's Ocean Songs is better. Good stuff, but more derivative than Funeral.
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PrestonTMar 10, 2007Obviously it would be next to impossible to expect this album to live up to Funeral, so I won't even go there. It is a very strong album emotionally and has several moments when they use their crescendos to perfection. However, a couple of the songs are duds, and that really has an effect on the overall cohesiveness. All in all, it's made me even more excited for their next release.
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JustinAMar 10, 2007There are certainly a number of missteps here - namely the clunky lyrics on "Black Mirror", the sterile "Neon Bible" and "My Body is a Cage" - but when The Arcade Fire stick to what they do best - play earnest, emotional art rock including all the instruments under the sun - they are as damn good they ever were on Funeral.
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borisrMar 10, 2007I was looking forward to this album, however there is nothing new or good here. The first album was powerful, emotional and brilliant. However, the lyrics here are base and do not provoke any kind of feeling or power; they are dreary and without any real purpose or meaning.
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PhilippedMar 10, 2007I have to say I was fearing the worst when I listened it first, but when you give it few listens (like many said), you realize the Masterpiece it is. My Body Is A Cage, No Cars Go, Ocean of Noise and Intervention are my favorite so far. I think only The National can beat them for Album of the Year
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CrabsodyInBlueMar 10, 2007Some people in this forum select 10 or 9 rating very easily. It's a very good album but it is not masterpiece. Which should be the rating for albums as The dark side of the moon, Highway to Hell, Ok Computer etc. etc then? 1000? 2000?
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JAMar 10, 2007The music is magnificent, feels like an expansion of their debut sound, a lot darker, richer, and with much improved production. However, the lyrics are pretty bad in some songs. Some of the rhymes make me cringe, my least favorite existing in the title track. An improvement in some ways, a detraction in others. Still one of the greater releases so far this year.
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TaylorA.Mar 9, 2007
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JeremySMar 9, 2007
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RickSMar 9, 2007I must be stupid, i must, thats all i hear when i say this band is awful. People who like this band let alone worship there albums seems to bash other well known bands, as to try and prove something. Is this art? Is this what I
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Kelly'1'Mar 9, 2007I finally understand the term 'art-rock'; and that term is not pretentious here. The most cohesive album since OK Computer
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AndreaPMar 9, 2007Funeral was better, this album has not great riff like Wake up or Rebellion
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DaveGMar 9, 2007This album is saving my sanity.
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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]