Album: The Suburbs Artist: Arcade Fire Record Label: Merge Records, 2010
Review: This will most likely appeal to older tweens and has many thought provoking lyrics in an upbeat, guitar-driven foundation of music. One definitely needs to enjoy rock beats to embrace Arcade Fire, however this is not screaming in your face loud - it is very listenable. The fact that this album won a Grammy for Best Album of the year gives it musical credibility. Band members Win and William Butler were raised in the Suburbs of Houston and that is the inspiration for the lyrics. According to Win, the album "is neither a love letter to, nor an indictment of, the suburbs - it's a letter from the suburbs." Themes explored include; coming of age, exploring emotions, romance, friendship, following your dreams and society. The title song speaks to growing up in the suburbs and reflecting, that “Kids wanna be so hard, But in my dreams we're still screamin' and runnin' through the yard”, yearning perhaps for simpler times. There is a very powerful video that accompanies this song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM In the song “Ready to Start” they sing, “All the kids have always known, That the emperor wears no clothes, But they bow down to him anyway, It's better than being alone” evoking the tweens need to be part of the group. I feel like I've been living in, A city with no children in it, A garden left for ruin by a billionaire inside of a private prison” speaks to feelings of isolation and the inability for money to buy happiness from the song “ City With no Children”. Tweens who enjoy this style of music will identify with the themes and enjoy it immensely. I rate this album as brilliant.
Genre: Alternative/Indie Rock
Interest Level: Ages 12 and up.
Awards: Grammy Award, Album of the Year, 2011
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