Farewell, Arcade Fire!
This song stands in an interesting contrast to other Arcade Fire songs. “Cold Wind” builds heavily on the same idea until the break in the middle. It has a harrowing effect. The main theme and melody of this song evokes loneliness that pierces straight into the heart. It seems so simple (indeed there may not be too much more needing to be said), and yet something just gets under my skin when I listen to this song. I feel utterly powerless against it. I think Arcade Fire distilled something very emotional in this song, perhaps better than they have with anything else so far. It’s uncertain and very lonely; it fits the imagery of driving down a desert road at night when the wind is cold to visit a loved one’s grave.
Epilogue
I’m actually sad to be leaving Arcade Fire. I listened to them so very much from 2005-2008 that it doesn’t really do the same for me anymore, but challenging myself to describe this music was a wonderful experience on many levels. I’m sure I’ll pick up Suburbs, but not immediately. The thing that prevented me from picking up Suburbs was this weird sort of inability to move forward with my Arcade Experience. I was so wrapped up in the progression of the EP to Neon Bible that I wasn’t willing to accept the new things I was hearing. Also contributing to my inability to pick up Suburbs was (a) people finally starting to become annoying about how much they love Arcade Fire and (b) I really didn’t dig the first few songs I heard. I’m sure it’s worth it to get over these things; I’ve heard that the new album is amazing. Still, my past experience with this band has been so fulfilling that I’m not really worried about moving onto their next album or not. Sure, it seems like it was a phase, but I don’t think that means anything bad about their music. I’m glad you all enjoyed these reviews so much in particular. I sure did!
Up next: Art Blakey, then Best of Art of Noise
