I’ll take your point about Beethoven. My classical knowledge is limited to say the least, but what you say makes perfect sense. And Eno – a bit of a flawed genius in the studio. If he doesn’t let his ego overawe him, he can make an average artist sound amazing. Sadly, he’s not terribly consistent…

Mozart…hands down innovator and a bit of a punk too He wrote everything from his head 1 time and never changed it. Ah, except he changed an instrument from flute to oboe only once in Symphony No. 40.

Beethoven…I’ll stick with what I said although what you said is correct. His father would beat him and said he was a bum & that he’d never be as good as Mozart. He planned on studying with him too. But, you forget – NO ONE before Beethoven played the low end of the piano. It was considered ugly at that time. So, he rebelled against that and explored the low end in many compositions. Also, He may have been the 1st to start a symphony or any piece of music the way he started his 5th Symphony which lol, a top 40 artist would kill for today. Lastly, when he lost his hearing he started forgetting the normal accepted (at that time) playing ranges for instruments and voices….so he started writing in what people thought were extreme ranges and many musicians thought they couldn’t play or sing his music. They thought he was mad! I’m referring specifically to his 9th symphony. And, let’s not forget – many don’t consider Beethoven to be a part of the Classical period at all, but at the beginning of the Romantic period. His philosophy to music was much different that Mozart. Mozart floated in the air with his perfect melodies …while Beethoven believed God could be found deep in the Bowels of man.

Ah yes, you’re right about the Kinks…man a lot of cabaret acts influenced the slightly more avant garde rock artists.

A pint would be great. i love discussions and debate about music. i’m a musician! too bad i’m in Philadelphia in the U.S. But, one never knows! I might have family still in Ireland.

James…lol. whatever. I guess I’m glad I fired you up because at least it shows passion about music. that’s cool. I’ve spent some more time with this Arcade Fire record, and I watched the performance on youtube live at Madison Sq. Garden in NY…and all in all it was pretty awesome. The passion and energy were tremendous and refreshing, considering that some bands always play it cool. The music IMHO is much better live. I was impressed, and I’d like to rescind some of what I said including my tone towards their music. They are a young band, and for what they’ve accomplished so far, they’re pretty darn good. Some of my criticisms remain but perhaps I need to keep in mind that they are a sort of Rock band after all and certain progressions are typical if they are to be a part of that genre. All in all, I think they are one of the better and more promising bands out there. Okay? Satisfied? :-p

But yeah, The Robster, I’m a little puzzled about the production for a band & a producer at this level. Didn’t Markus Dravs learn anything from Brian Eno? Of course, even the great OZ, I mean Eno has had slightly questionable production lately, albeit at the opposite end of the spectrum with over-production rather than under like in this case.

As for Mozart – you are right, he was an innovator. but Beethoven? It is well documented how hugely influenced he was by Mozart. There are even direct parallels to Mozart in some of Beethoven’s best known works. Iggy Pop? The Sonics. The Who? The Rolling Stones, the Beatles and the Sonics! The Kinks? One of my favourite bands of all time, but they were influenced very heavily by the Blues in their early days, and by the mid-60s, sure Ray Davies adopted a unique writing style that has been oft-imitated, but you only have to look at English cabaret acts of the time, like Tommy Steele and Anthony Newley (the latter a massive influence on a young David Bowie) to see where he drew some inspiration from.

I could go on, but the point I’m trying to make – and it’s one I think you’re hinting at yourself – is that it’s pointless trying to claim that anything is totally new, someone, somewhere has done something like it before. I’m not sure Arcade Fire have ever claimed to be so new and original themselves. That’s just been heaped upon them.

I agree with you about the production. It’s definitely lacking something.

And sorry about calling you a numpty. You are clearly very knowledgeable and informed in your music. I don’t necessarily agree with all you have said, but I reckon I would really enjoy a good music-related discussion with you over a few pints down the pub. (And you too, Ronan!) James meanwhile can stay at home and drink his lemonade – he’s clearly the numpty around here…

Thanks James. This is my favourite bit:
“Anyhow, I don’t much care for this review. You mr. reviewer don’t state your points clearly and I think you have a twisted opinion. maybe you’re just trying to keep it real or whatever, but i think you’re downplaying how great this album is. you can’t be serious thats for sure. “

Ask almost any musician, and read almost any respectable review and they will all agree that Arcade Fire are the best band pretty much ever. You morons don’t realize how many bands have been and will be inspired by Arcade Fire in the future. Even if they were to copy (which they dont) it would sound better than the original crap. Just because someone invented the record and record player does that mean that someone else who invented the CD and mp3 just copied and therefore it’s not better than the original? Such a ridiculous conversation wouldnt you say?

Anyhow, I don’t much care for this review. You mr. reviewer don’t state your points clearly and I think you have a twisted opinion. maybe you’re just trying to keep it real or whatever, but i think you’re downplaying how great this album is. you can’t be serious thats for sure.

anyhow, Nico is a camel-toed knucklehead!

However, Arcade FIre aren’t bringing anything new, you’re right. However, they do a damn good job of combining their influences and making well-formed rock songs as seen by my statement in the review: “Modern Man’ is an instant classic. It seems to sound like something you know really well, but I can’t place what it is (nor can anyone else), showing how good Win and Régine really are at crafting a pop song.”

You’re right, they are followers. But they’re better followers than most.

Arcade are pretty decent but c’mon they’re not amazing. I think it’s music for people who want to feel arty but are more trendy than anything. It’s neither complicated or brilliantly simplistic. It’s just decent rock, alt-pop that reminds me of better days in the more mainstream scene.