I've just seen the Arcade Fire play here in Portland as part of a
largely sold-out tour. They were superbly enjoyable. Their attraction
can be attributed largely to the band's musical honesty, their catchy
and strangely familiar melodies, a dreamlike lyrical potency, and the
extraordinary degree of enthusiasm which comes across in all their live
shows.
The group is Montreal-based, currently touring as a ten-piece band.
Their latest album, "Neon Bible", has been out for a couple months on
the US label Merge (a good independent label also home to Neutral Milk
Hotel and other quality "indie" rock bands). Although Arcade Fire have
a fairly straightforward modern rock lineup with guitars, electric
bass, drums and keyboards, they utilize violin, accordion, acoustic
bass, mandolin, and brass regularly and to very good effect. The hurdy
gurdy is a recent addition, as band member Regine Chassagne apparently
became enamored with the instrument in the last couple of years.
There isn't much gurdy apparent on the new album, to be honest. In
concert, Regine played HG during the show opener ,"Keep the Car
Running", and one other number later on. Her playing was more evident
in the mix during the show; it must be pretty buried in the studio
recording, sadly.
To answer your question more directly, Melissa, I believe the HG makes
an appearance in Arcade Fire due to personal passion more than any
desire to be cool. Certainly, it isn't the focal point of the group's
sound, and the cathedral pipe organ (!) makes a bigger impression on
the album than the HG. In concert, Regine's playing posture, stop/start
styling, and coup technique were competent, and as such, bring a great
deal to the uninitiated music loving population.
If you are curious, there is a great photo of Regine's HG on the Arcade
Fire discussion forum. It is certainly a Weichelbaumer. Hopefully this
link is available to all without forum registration:
http://forums.arcadefire.net/viewtopic.php?id=8103
For anyone who is interested in checking out Arcade Fire, I recommend
purchasing their first full length, "Funeral". Though off-topic,
HG-wise, it's as good an album by any artist, in any genre, as I've
heard in the last five years or so. This is a rare band whose
popularity hasn't affected their integrity. Their songs are relevant
and strangely affecting. The followup "Neon Bible" is quite good as
well.
John
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Jun 2, 2007, at 8:35 PM, Melissa Kacalanos wrote:
I've been hearing a lot about this band called Arcade
Fire. ...
Which track contains the hurdy gurdy? Can anyone
confirm this as a hg sighting, or is this band just
claiming to play hg in an attempt to seem cool?
Melissa
