Lovely Suburban Crazies and the Pressures of Boredom

So this blog has been infused with lots of heat lately--but my poor singed ears cannot be removed from the infectious beats of their latest offerings. Arcade Fire has become the very thing that's keeping me excited about not only new music, but new possibilities. Ecstatic and static piano tones on "We Used To Wait" reacquaints us with that familiar nostalgic optimism that both confuses and perfuses the soul. Much like your old-school obsession with 90's hip-hop. Sure, something pure can last, Win. That something pure rides somewhere between your larynx and the swirling sounds of your band.

With their new release, The Suburbs, due out in early August, summer suddenly has that sweet promise of fantastic memories, laced with that snow-cone and windows-down glory. Whoever said we were growing old, obviously hasn't ever listened to this band. Obviously, they're curmudgeons in training.

Which brings us to another great teaser: "Ready To Start". Keeping in tune with that vintage-vinyl feel, this angst-land anthem pays homage to that universal burden of youth: pressures to belong, but knowing in the end that non-conformity is your best bet. Better to expose yourself to vulnerability, than to suffer the inevitable isolation of guilt. Boredom, fear of loneliness, eternal longing--this covers it all and a pack of Bazooka Joe's.

Such delicate layering of universal experiences requires a type of crazy genius. Arcade Fire has once again created a sane retreat within the insane reality of this sometimes ugly existence. They aspire to create light where only darkness is allowed. They grow thriving communities of crowned Sea Monkeys where others can only see questionable shrimp-specks in murky water. So sit back with your Kool-Aid grin and let yourself begin again.