My Amazon Reviews: Arcade Fire "The Suburbs"

It takes a village to make a Suburb 
4 Out of 5 Stars

Allegedly a song cycle that came together after various band members either visited or heard from the areas they grew up, "The Suburbs" is Arcade Fire's love-hate letter to nostalgia, decay and growth, growing up and the hazy nostalgia of being young in a small town. It's a pretty good series of songs, and more straight-forward than "Neon Bible."

There's also a decidedly folkier edge to the music this time around, especially in the title track and the epic "Sprawl II." However, there are still times when the dense rock that built the band's reputation. The punkish "Ready To Start" may be the most propulsive song AF has ever recorded, and the ever present Springsteen influence reigns over "City With No Children." The blend of songs is pretty incredible, as fairly soon afterward is the poppish lament of "Wasted Hours," reminiscent of The Band, and the most acerbic lyric of the whole album.

"The Suburbs" is a complex and rich album, yet Arcade Fire's most direct. When Wim sadly describes "kids and buses still waiting to be free," it cuts as hard as anything off "Funeral" ever did for me. I may find "Funeral" to remain their best album, but "The Suburbs" is maybe even more universal. One of the year's best.

 

My Amazon Reviews: Shoes "Stolen Wishes"

Soles Wearing Through  
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Now down to a trio and having reactivated their Black Vinyl imprint, the newly DIY Shoes returned to music with "Stolen Wishes" in 1989. Other than a Shoes Best CD (and a Europe only release, "Propeller"), it was their first USA release since being dropped by Elektra post "Boomerang." It carries their tradition of buzzing guitars and killer harmonies, along with an impeccable knack for catchy hooks and choruses.

Time did seem to have tempered them a bit, however. While there are some really incredible songs here, especially "Torn In Two" and "Love Is Like a Bullet," there seems to be a little of the youthful spark missing from "Stolen Wishes." Adding keyboards also diluted the band's sound, even if only a slight bit. If there weren't two brilliant and one exceptional album in front of "Stolen Wishes," this would have been seen for what it was; a great power-pop album in the tradition of The Raspberries and Badfinger with almost Byrds-ian harmonies. Roughly translated, an album that most bands would have killed to make. Trust me, it's worth owning. And if you're reading this, you probably are already aware of Shoes' reputation. So go ahead and add it to the collection.

My Amazon Reviews: Jason Falkner "I'm OK, You're OK"

Worth The Wait
4 Out of 5 Stars

I am always stunned when albums of this caliber get left by the wayside. Pop-Confectionist extraordinaire Jason Falkner first released "I'm Ok, You're Ok" overseas in 2007, yet no US label saw fit to issue it here until 2010. And yet, this album all but bursts with sugary hooks, catchy choruses and gleeful singing. I am now able to listen to this in Philadelphia without paying an extortionist import price.

Thankfully, the patience was worth it. Falkner must have been saving these songs up, as each and everyone clicks with the power-pop thrills of his pedigree bands Jellyfish and Three O'Clock. You'll hear the traces of Paul McCartney, The Kinks, Todd Rundgren at his poppiest, and hosts of 80's power-poppers ("Stephanie Tells Me" is like a sister song to Material Issue's "Valerie Loves Me"). There's a joyous ode to finding freedom in "NYC," a killer boy-band in waiting hit called "Runaway," and an opening track that cloaks his frustration in a chocolate bar ("This Time").

How he makes it sounds so effortless is amazing to me. Like his classic solo debut "Author Unknown," Falkner spins together influences so seamlessly that you can merely sit back and let them wash over you. Likely while whistling along.