Arcade Fire / Reflektor

10 out of 10 for not attempting to halt evolution and moving on, especially given the previous critical and commercial success the Arcade Fire has received. Add to that that this band is a definite group of outsiders and it’s an impressive achievement to make such a shift in territory. Arcade Fire WAS an indie rock band, even though the sound evolved somewhat with each previous record. Those three albums are some of the best from the past 20 years, with some of the classiest songs anyone could hear. The brain has moved the band into a more dance-oriented space, the heart remains the same. Arcade Fire, perhaps more than any other band that is known cares and has a do or die attitude. It often seems to communicate a sense that the world is coming to its end and music can save us all, which we know to be true already. It comes out in the lyrics, the vocals, in everything actually. From title track and majestic lead single ‘Reflektor’ to ‘Supersymmetry’ all those minutes (well over an hour) later there are simply too many highlights to log in one review. It’s a colossal, ambitious and stunning album.

The music is an odd collection. It’s hard to know what to think at first, but as many great albums before it, it needs time to work its magic and weave its web upon the listener, a web the listener is unlikely to ever untangle themself from. It’s definitely a record to take time with, to see how it sits after multiple listens. Perhaps those quick to write a review may live to regret extreme reactions. Time will tell. All great music lives to tell its tale repeatedly, to many, and for long years ahead.

After several listens it suddenly becomes clear, as if the sky after a storm is clearing up and the subsequent sunlight beating down on everyone and everything, it is almost like newborn light. If you reach the point of experiencing that you are in for a treat, and no mistake. It’s not the same Arcade Fire, no, but it definitely is Arcade Fire. Only they all play each other’s instruments with such aplomb, only they look so defiant about their music when others seem to doubt them, only they know where they are going, all the rest can do is follow or not. Regardless of genre, no other band on earth could have made this spirited and vibrant collection of material.

It works as a double album too - nicely drifting into silence toward the end of ‘Joan of Arc’ and making side two seem like waking from a brief slumber. The waking is prolonged as we revisit ‘Here Comes the Night Time’ from side one with a lazy, almost lullaby-esque version. It’s all tastes of a dream only Arcade Fire could trap us in. It’s a nice way to open up the second part of this album and there isn’t a dip from start to finish across the two records so much as there are just less magical moments. It isn’t a classic, but it’s rather close indeed. Perhaps Arcade Fire isn’t one of those bands to stay around forever and grow old in the spotlight, and however long the band is around we should absolutely listen to what it has to say. In a world gone mad, these guys make so much sense it hurts.

The Arcade Fire is vital. It feels like the most essential and reliable band on earth all over again. The band continually delivers, even whilst evolving between albums more than most bands do in an entire career (regardless of length of career). This album might not be what many would have wanted or expected, but put simply it is much more than that, and musically it does not let anyone down at all. It is a universe across two albums that consists of 13 songs and an enormous spectrum of ideas and tricks, and let us not forget David Bowie and those producers that were also involved.

It’s true, some of the songs do run a little too long, but if that is one of the chief criticisms of this record then it could have been much worse. At the band’s worst it is still asking questions, searching and seeking for the answer and key to life and happiness, able to elevate the mood of many of us. At very best Arcade Fire is untouchable. ‘Reflektor’ isn’t perfect, but it feels like that rare thing – an album that deserves embracing for its imperfections and how they make it even more likeable, like the kid at school that lives on the outside of the main group. For that kid IS Arcade Fire. Long has the band shown the world what it really is to hold your beliefs up and stick to your guns, taking your life and heart in the direction you want to take it, and not where you are so often told by a multitude of sources to take it.