Described variously as art-rock, chamber pop, orchestral pop, prog-pop etc, Montreal's Arcade Fire defy easy categorisation. The band is an eight-piece and husband and wife team Win Butler and Regine Chassagne contribute the vocals and lyrics. Their songs are hooky, inventive and eccentric, updating English ‘80s new wave with North American indie and folk, and an array of ‘proper' instruments (particularly strings).

The Arcade Fire released their debut album ‘Funeral' in late 2004 to universal acclaim. Recorded during a hard Canadian winter, following the deaths of several family members, ‘Funeral' delivers an emotional intensity that puts the emo crowd to shame. The amazing Rebellion (lies) with its insistent one-note piano riff was an essential single from the album. ‘Funeral' will be regarded as one of the defining records of the decade.

Beset with the challenge of following ‘Funeral', the band released their second album ‘Neon Bible' in March 2007. The album was recorded in an old church the band bought for the purpose. Reviews have ranged from glowing to ecstatic.

The sound is bigger, fuller, more produced but not more commercial. Musical styles are as diverse as the instruments. The album makes use of a full Hungarian orchestra, a military choir, a hurdy gurdy and a pipe organ. Song themes cover the personal and the political, with references to the Iraq war, 9/11 and evangelical Christianity. ‘Neon Bible' shows a band growing in confidence, ability and ideas. 'Neon Bible' debuted at no. 1 in Canada and no. 2 in the UK and US.

Try a slower number from 'Funeral', Neighborhood No. 4 (7 Kettles) - perhaps the only pop song to feature a whistling kettle, and the satirical (Antichrist Television Blues) from 'Neon Bible'.

Download (right click, 'save as')
The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood No. 4 (7 Kettles)
The Arcade Fire - (Antichrist Television Blues)