Name(s): The Suburbs
Artist(s): Arcade Fire
Format(s): Album (63:55)
Genre(s): Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Indie Folk
Release Date(s): August 3, 2010

I don’t completely understand why some people malign The Suburbs so much. It makes sense Arcade Fire would strip down their rambunctious sound and lyrical obscurities to reflect the simpler nature of their suburban youths. It’s different (thank goodness, as always), but it still sounds like Arcade Fire, and it’s still damn good.

The only thing that matters is how The Suburbs stacks up next to the other poppy indie rock albums that Arcade Fire (ironically) inspired, and it’s better than the vast lot of them. Consistently great, especially for a 16-track affair, though the way the highlights (“Ready to Start,” “Sprawl II”) tower over everything else is a little disappointing.