that sequels suck is one of those immutable rules of thumb for film, and though music doesn't adhere to the tenet quite as closely, it is by no means exempt.
just this year, a couple cases illustrate this point nicely:
bloc party: silent alarm (excellent), a weekend in the city (basura)
clap your hands, self-titled debut (among the best albums of the year), some loud thunder (three listens and i have no use for it now or anytime in the future).
on the other hand, the most worshipped indie band of its time -- the arcade fire -- has escpaed the sophomore jinx. in fact, i would venture, though many fans would likely find the statement sacreligious, that neon bible outshines their much glorified debut lp, funeral.
i'll admit i didn't love their first album, at least not the way everybody else did. but i do agree wholeheartedly that the uniqueness of its sound clearly distinguished it from its brethren. i don't think this album matches its predecessor in that way. what neon bible does have going for it is that it's infinitely more listen-able. it's bigger, brighter, and while not bolder, it is more energetic.
when and if arcade fire takes their place in the annals of music, i think funeral will be what they are exemplified by. but my concern is not their place in history, it's simply what i like. and i prefer the immediacy of neon bible to their harder-shelled debut.
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