Funeral
by Arcade Fire
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1057 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 969 out of 1057
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1057
  3. Negative: 63 out of 1057

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  1. EricC.
    Nov 26, 2007
    10
    Heartbreaking and beautiful, some of the best written and composed songs I've ever heard. Comparisons to the Talking Heads and David Bowie are well deserved, though they have found their own sound, and embody a different generation. The four neighborhoods are flawless, Wake Up and Lies are unbelievable. The first time I've ever been unable to understand how anyone can dislike a Heartbreaking and beautiful, some of the best written and composed songs I've ever heard. Comparisons to the Talking Heads and David Bowie are well deserved, though they have found their own sound, and embody a different generation. The four neighborhoods are flawless, Wake Up and Lies are unbelievable. The first time I've ever been unable to understand how anyone can dislike a band. I won't attack these people, but I will say that I wish they could appreciate this album. For me, it was life changing, as insane as that sounds.… Expand
  2. KazO.
    Oct 19, 2007
    10
    Wud have given it 100 out of ten if possible, genuis!!
  3. TimT.
    Oct 13, 2007
    9
    Simply filled with amazingly addictive, albeit unorthodox, hooks. Only a few tracks fall a little short, but even the songs that aren't incredible still have little somethings that make them fun. A great album in general, even if Win's voice is a little banshee-ish at times.
  4. Oligami
    Sep 1, 2007
    9
    It has that kind of music you've been waiting all your life to hear.
  5. fetusn.
    Aug 13, 2007
    1
    overrated by far. not worth a penny
  6. KarenO.
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    Pure Class!! Will never go out of date a classic!
  7. jayk
    Jul 20, 2007
    9
    Immense work,Neon bible does not compare in any way shape or form..
  8. StevenS
    Jul 15, 2007
    10
    Pablo, I'm not sure if you're intelligent enough to realize this, but that wasn't overproduction - it was the MEMBERS of the BAND the ARCADE FIRE who were playing those stringed instruments that are so rarely emphasized in music like this. A lot of people don't like Win Butlers voice because they can't grasp the fact that he's always constraining himself from Pablo, I'm not sure if you're intelligent enough to realize this, but that wasn't overproduction - it was the MEMBERS of the BAND the ARCADE FIRE who were playing those stringed instruments that are so rarely emphasized in music like this. A lot of people don't like Win Butlers voice because they can't grasp the fact that he's always constraining himself from being completely overwhelmed by emotion. As for the Bon Jovi statement, that you can even think that is pretty laughable as Bon Jovi is one of the most mainstream rock artists of all time and constantly falling into endles and repetitive cliches. Now, it's time for my review. To put it simply, I strongly feel that this album may just be the in the VERY small group of albums ranking as the absolute best of the 2000's. The album also is so strikingly emotional that it puts bands who label themselves as "emo," to absolute shame. The back story of the album makes some of the lyrics (as well as the instrumentation) even more powerful. I'm looking forward to what they do after Neon Bible.… Expand
  9. PabloG.
    Jul 10, 2007
    6
    The music is OK, but from the first second to the last second I though "Oh my God... this is what Bon Jovi would sound like if he was an indie rock artist." Over-produced would an understatement. Also it doesn't help that I dislike the singer's voice. But I understand why people like this. Power Out is an alright song.
  10. NabihaH.
    Jul 9, 2007
    10
    Simply beautiful. This is one of the few albums where every song is worth listening to multiple times. Incredible...this is easily one of my favorite albums.
  11. Mike
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    An amazing album! Perfect 10!!!!
  12. Joest
    Jun 3, 2007
    10
    Imaginative, emphatic, catchy and inspiring. And a debut? The best album of the year, hands down.
  13. Michael
    May 20, 2007
    10
    First, I hated it. Unlistenable. Then I realised all the nuances and violins and guitars and that majestic little solo burried in the third neighborhood and those last few lines from Régine. What an album.
  14. alexanderh
    Apr 27, 2007
    10
    Operatic, thrilling, beautiful, haunting, best album in many years; pumps heart into the blood; Like nothing you have heard before.
  15. EthanH
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    Those guitars make a wonderful spider web that catch you while you are happily waiting for the big dramatic voiced spider to devour you and make a mind numbing and gorgeous journey inside the beast's stomach.
  16. VincentH
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    A masterpiece...pure and simple. I would definitely argue that Arcade Fire are the most powerful and brilliant indie pop band since Neutral Milk Hotel. The lyrics, the melodies, the varied and precise instrumentation, the messiness, the honesty, the emotion...Arcade Fire makes the kind of music that can make you weep if you let it, and you should.
  17. MichaelC
    Mar 15, 2007
    10
    Deeper and more complex than anything released yet this decade, rivals OK Computer in some ways.
  18. SeanV
    Mar 10, 2007
    10
    luv it, luv them
  19. ChrisJ
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    I must have listened to Funeral 100 times when I first bought it, shortly after it came out. The Arcade Fire's new album, while good, mostly just made me want to go back and listen to the first one, which I did. I am even more amazed now by the originality and musicality of these songs. There's so much energy--rhythmic, harmonic, vocal, and lyrical. Neighborhood #2 and Wake Up I must have listened to Funeral 100 times when I first bought it, shortly after it came out. The Arcade Fire's new album, while good, mostly just made me want to go back and listen to the first one, which I did. I am even more amazed now by the originality and musicality of these songs. There's so much energy--rhythmic, harmonic, vocal, and lyrical. Neighborhood #2 and Wake Up have to be two of the best songs of the decade.… Expand
  20. joeK
    Mar 7, 2007
    0
    this album is rated way too high for something so bad
  21. RandyD
    Mar 3, 2007
    10
    Best album of the decade
  22. MattA
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    Arrrggghhh! So good. So powerful. Each song is complex, and beautiful. You just have to listen to it do understand.
  23. mickc
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    one of the most beautiful works i've bought
  24. LucasK
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    This album is so beautiful and amazing that it fucks w/ your mind.
  25. LukeT
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    shear beauty
  26. MarkD
    Feb 6, 2007
    9
    The first album/band since Radioheads OK Computer to really make me sit up and say "wow". Ther's a sublety and originality that the over hyped likes of The Artic Monkeys and awful Kaiser Chiefs can only dream of; Just listen to "In the back Seat" with its dips and climaxes and complex arrangement. Not every song is great and it may take you a few listens but no other band around at The first album/band since Radioheads OK Computer to really make me sit up and say "wow". Ther's a sublety and originality that the over hyped likes of The Artic Monkeys and awful Kaiser Chiefs can only dream of; Just listen to "In the back Seat" with its dips and climaxes and complex arrangement. Not every song is great and it may take you a few listens but no other band around at the moment combines great melody with artestry and raw emotion like "The Fire".… Expand
  27. MattK
    Feb 5, 2007
    10
    Simply an amazing debut album!
  28. Amanda
    Jan 21, 2007
    9
    Gorgeous
  29. StevenC
    Jan 21, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums of all-time
  30. PeteN
    Jan 2, 2007
    10
    Got this album a fair while back, still regular listening, and still as beautiful as ever.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2004
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Almost Cool
    83
    If I were to have just heard the first half of the disc, I probably would have proclaimed it the best of the year as well.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    97
    So long as we're unable or unwilling to fully recognize the healing aspect of embracing honest emotion in popular music, we will always approach the sincerity of an album like Funeral from a clinical distance. Still, that it's so easy to embrace this album's operatic proclamation of love and redemption speaks to the scope of The Arcade Fire's vision.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Marred by indie-rock clichés and occasional over-effort, it remains frustrating.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »