Arcade Fire
Reflektor
Reviewed by: Stephen Krock
Coming off their triumphant Grammy-winning The Suburbs, Arcade Fire has something of a hurdle to leap with their follow up. Will it be just as good? Even better? Or will they pull a Halle Berry and follow up an Oscar win with “Catwoman”? Well, luckily, the band left their tattered leather catsuit and whip at home, because Reflektor is a darn fine album.
There is a jubilant disco rock feel that permeates these electrical tracks, especially so on “We Exist,” Reflektor’s command performance. I’m a sucker for any rock band that inserts strings and horns into their pieces and it makes “We Exist” an epic and moving pop experience not to be missed. The equally adrenaline rushing title track and “Afterlife” are solid entries as well, with the former featuring a heck of a hook, but both maintain the same static heartbeat for their whole run-time. A minor detractor. The piano laced “Normal Person” is as rugged and lively as the smokey dive bar it is meant to play in. And “Here Comes the Night Time” is as impishly playful and guttural as one might expect, with its guitar and piano riffs, anthemic vocals, and smackering of Spanish dialogue.
While Reflektor may not be a complete homerun, it’s certainly enough for Arcade Fire to maintain their respectful momentum. They won’t be resting on their laurels and bless ‘em for it.
Rating: Bad-Ass
