The Arcade Fire continues to expand their fan base

 After three years, Arcade Fire is back with their third album, The Suburbs, which was released earlier this month. The album has already made No. 1 on the billboard charts, and fans and critics alike are falling even harder for the Montreal-based band’s blunt and mature new sound.

The Houston native and lead vocalist for the indie rock group, Win Butler, has told other press outlets that the album represents his upbringing in the suburbs.

Arcade Fire personifies suburban living by making the songs appear as if they are written by the suburbs themselves.

The 16 tracks on the album flow together to make one continuous record that is reminiscent of the sounds of Neil Young.

For the most part, The Suburbs epitomizes the dark and playful tones of Arcade Fire’s previous two albums but adds a raw honesty that is both surprising and welcoming.

Tracks “Half Light 1” and “Half Light II (No Celebration)” take new spins on “Neighborhood #1” and “Neighborhood #3,” which were featured on Fire’s first album, Funeral.

The vocals of Régine Chassagne still bring chills especially when paired with husband Win Butler’s voice and mandolin.

The band’s performance at Lollapalooza this August proved that audiences are open to the new music as they swayed along with as much excitement as when Fire played the fan favorite song, “Wake-up.”

While you may have to venture out of the state to hear Arcade Fire perform live, The Suburbs CD sounds as unique as if you were listening to a vinyl recording. All in all, The Suburbs is the perfect follow-up to Funeral and Neon Bible and will help make your fall semester playlist complete.

Check out the band’s website, www. arcadefire.com, for more information on the album.