Indie music has acquired a certain connotation, be it the expectation of an unconventional sound that is becoming the norm or commercially relevant irrelevance manufactured by fame-hating artists seeking unbridled fame. As a departure from the mainstream created by artists who eschewed the A-list for the comfort of the B and C crowds, the core of indie music has become elusive to the point that it is now synonymous with cell phone commercials. As the nature of the genre goes: diehard fans will love it, and haters will continue to be cynical about it.
Arcade Fire may be one of the biggest bands to have earned the indie moniker. The band has risen to critical acclaim since lambasting the music scene nearly 10 years ago, introducing their own style of multi-instrumental rock with probing lyrics questioning the daily caveats of normalcy. For this work, the band won a Grammy award for album of the year in 2011, which coincided with their third studio release, “The Suburbs.” To their credit, Arcade Fire has been able to redefine their sound throughout their career by bringing something innovative to each of their albums. Still, they insistently cling to their indie roots in the face of their growing mainstream appeal.
Where “The Suburbs” was an album influenced by the sounds of Depeche Mode mixed with Neil Young, the band’s recently released fourth studio album “Reflektor” tributes the cultural sounds of Rara island music fused with the laid-back lounge style of rockabilly and a hint of ‘80s pop rock. Drum work features more prominently on “Reflektor” than on the band’s previous albums, underlining the album’s tracks with a steady, rhythmic groove. The album has an interesting sound work, including synthetic noise, distorted voiceovers and psychedelic fades.
Most striking about the album’s sound is how Arcade Fire is able to repeatedly bring these musical elements together that effortlessly move from moody lows to powerful highs. They exploit these possibilities with a lengthy two-disc affair, providing 13 tracks clocking in at over 80 minutes. As a whole, the album flows from start to finish, save a drop in pacing and energy during the middle portion of the album that lingers a bit longer than it should.
Lyrically, the album asks grandiose questions about religion, fame, isolation and love. The album does not necessarily dive into issues related to these varying topics but rather attempts to question what they mean. It is cryptic and all too subjective, and listeners will undoubtedly come to different conclusions as to what songs mean and what Arcade Fire themselves are thinking. For the most part it works, but at times can seem a bit forced, and begs the question of whether the lyrics strive to reach a deeper meaning or are simply tight roping on gibberish.
“Reflektor” has allowed Arcade Fire to once again flex their musical range in their trademark, unique way. The album shines in its musical production and asks poignant questions about existentialism, but falters in moments where it tries too hard to be different. “Reflektor” is an album that provides a look back at the band’s fading indie roots as they cement themselves as members of the mainstream, whether they like it or not.
My rating: One Wave
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Follow Chirag Patel on Twitter: @cbpatel86
As published in the Oct. 31 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
