Neon Bible

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Due for release next Monday (5th March) in Europe and the following day in the States and Canada, Neon Bible is the followup to Arcade Fire's breakthrough debut Funeral. Arcade Fire's sound like that of The Shins is distilled from diverse sources and refined until the band's signature can be placed beneath each track. Springsteen, The Clash, Steve Earle, Kate Bush, The Go-Betweens, The Pogues I can hear the influence of those artists on this second album.

It's an album which has already received good reviews in the newspapers and music monthlies although it got a less than rousing review on BBC'S Newsnight Review last week.

As a piece of work it features a wide variety of instruments and styles much in keeping with the first album, this is a band who don't want to get stuck in a rut nor do they want their fan base to get complacent. The album features one track previously released in 2003 on their first E.P

Win Butler has been quoted as saying he wants the album to sound as if 'you are standing by the ocean at night.' To achieve this soundscape the band have employed or engaged the services of a pipe organ, a hurdy gurdy, a military choir and a full Hungarian Orchestra. They probably won't like me for saying it but Arcade Fire remind me of The Smiths in way that they can match doom laden lyrics with great tunes, they are not adverse to biting or at least punching the hand that feeds them - but then again Joe Strummer was public school educated so that's nothing new.

The album isn't officially available yet but this is the 21st Century and most of the tracks have been available on the net since December. On first listening I would say that Win Butler has been spending a lot of his spare time with Bruce Springsteen playing on his mp3 player.

The track listing is :

1. Black Mirror - Big brother is coming for you: Shot by a security camera You can watch your own image And also look yourself in the eye Black Mirror, Black Mirror, Black Mirror. Fantastic opening track, good to hear a piano put to good use after being abused by the likes of Coldplay and Keane for too long. The tone of this tracks sets the tone for the rest of the album, you won't see this band doing their bit for Comic Relief.

2. Keep the Car Running - I defy you to keep your feet still listening to this as Bruce Springsteen meets Joe Strummer with The Pogues. Two tracks in and things sound good. If there's a better track to show off the bands multi musical talents and influences bring it on. Everynight my dreams the same, same old city with a different name.

3. Neon Bible - Vial of hope and a vial of pain In the light they both look the same Pull them out on the end of the rope With every boy and girl singing - the long winter evenings must just fly by when you have this outlook on the world. Snare drum, strings and ethereal backing vocals combine on the most pessimistic track on the album.

4. Intervention - this is it - throw the kitchen sink in time. You'll either love this track or recoil in horror because it sounds like the sort of music people who usually don't like music will love. No matter what you say, there are some debts you'll never pay. The much discussed hurdy gurdy sweeps across this track in sharp contrast to the doom laden lyrics and wait until you hear that choir. You're singing Hallelujah with a fear in your heart. This is the best track on the album by far.

5. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations - I think the band must have been listening to Kate Bush, Sinead O'Connor and possibly Voice of The Beehive when they wrote the first 1:40 of this two part track. Once Bad Vibrations kicks in it's off with the global warning theme that underpins the album - nothing lasts forever that's the way it's got to be.

6. Ocean of Noise - how many tracks do you know that begin with the sound of thunder only to disappoint? This has overtones of The Doors (obviously) but sprinkled with something more delicate, the sound of Springsteen is alive and kicking on this track which could have been an outtake from the Boss's Human Touch album, music to drive down a road next to the beach at night to. Superb piano playing create a magical track. You got your reasons and me I got mine, but all the reasons again were just lies - even the lyrics read like Springsteen

7. The Well and the Lighthouse - sounds as if every instrument at the bands disposal was put to good use and thought provoking lyrics wrestle with a wall of sound for your attention.

8(Antichrist Television Blues) -the planes keep crashing two by two, not much of a Springsteen influence here but boy does this sound like Steve Earle from the Copperhead Road era, even down to the banjo getting in on the act.

9.Windowstill - the intro reminds me of Blur's Boys and Girls but don't worry it's better than that. Again strong overtones of Springsteen, even in the way that the band rush to a crescendo only for the song to ease back before starting off again. MTV, what have you done to me? / Save my soul, set me free! / Set me free! What have you done to me? / I can't breathe! I can't see! / World War III / when are you coming for me?

10.No Cars Go - We know a place where no planes go, we know a place where no ships go (Hey!) No cars go (Hey!) No cars go, where we know. Talking Heads meet The Pixies on the penultimate track - musically the most uplifting track of the album's second half.

11. My Body Is a Cage - I'm living in an age That calls darkness light Though my language is dead Still the shapes fill my head. Despite the depressing tone of the lyrics this is a beautiful album that needs wider attention.

If you can get your hands on the deluxe CD version you will be rewarded with a 32 page booklet written by the band themselves. Overall I think it's an album that lives up to expectations, there are a couple of duff tracks but that's not bad for a 'difficult' second album, the legend of Bruce Springsteen looms large across the whole album, but that's no bad thing, if you want to borrow, may as well do it from the best. If you like the first album you'll love this, I can guarantee you'll be walking around shouting Hey! after listening to this.

By strange magic Amazon.co.uk are suggesting that The Shins and Arcade Fire be purchased together.