Arcade Fire - "We Used To Wait" (2010)

If you'd never heard of Arcade Fire before this weekend, that probably changed come Monday morning. The vapid, auto tuned pop stars of the day were shocked when a band who actually plays their own instruments walked away from the Grammys with the night's top prize: Album of the Year. It was a long shot for Arcade Fire, the only artists nominated in the category who weren't on a major label. Their third album, The Suburbs hadn't exactly yielded any radio hits either. A concept album about growing up in the suburbs and seeing relationships and the world around you change doesn't really fit in the radio box that's been carved out by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and the Black Eyed Frickin' Peas. Arcade Fire was no stranger to the Grammys though, with their 2004 debut Funeral and their 2007 sophomore effort Neon Bible both being nominated for Alternative Music Album of the Year. When looking at the competition that The Suburbs was facing, there's no doubt that it was the best album of the year. In my opinion, Album of the Year should go to the work that stands up the best as a collection of songs that work together, and The Suburbs does just that. The album incorporates everything from jangly piano rock to driving guitars and even a Blondie impersonation on the stellar “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).” Now it's true that many of Arcade Fire's hipster fans will look at this Grammy win and see it as cause to no longer support the band. I hope that's not the case, because Arcade Fire will continue to make great music. Next up for Arcade Fire is the release of their short film collaboration with director Spike Jonze. The film is called Scenes from the Suburbs and follows many of the same themes of the album. Clips from the film can be scene in the music video for “The Suburbs.” I think the essence of Arcade Fire was on display Sunday night when, after thanking everyone, front man Win Butler said, “We're gonna go play another song now because we like music.” He then casually placed his Grammy atop his amp and rocked out to “Ready To Start.” The joy was apparent on the face of every member of the band. So if you haven't already, you need to get The Suburbs. Here's my favorite track from the Album of the Year.


Arcade Fire - "We Used To Wait"