Arcade Fire

[aladinsane]

If you want to know how great Arcade Fire truly is then here's the evidence: A few years back (just after "Funeral" had been released), AF was asked to perform at some awards show for VH1. Bowie was also performing, and when he heard that AF were also going to be there he asked if he could join them on one of their songs. He not only sang, but learned the guitar part. Now, how many bands with just 2 records are going to be brilliant enough to motivate a rock icon to learn their song and ask to play along. That, to me, has to be the greatest tribute to the band that can ever be made.

They are fantastic on record and live. My only issue is that the lead singer's wife needs to stop singing lead vocals. Her songs are the only ones I ever skip.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

^ Springsteen's played a few songs with them live too.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Just expect a band that uses an enormous multitude of instruments, sounds, voices, and ideas to create an entirely brand new sound for the music industry. Technically, their music is astonishing. And listened to just for pleasure, it's just as wonderful...

Try some Elbow. The Seldom Seen Kid is the album that everyone knows now, now that it's won the Mercury Prize. But any of their three earlier albums -- Asleep in the Back (which frontman Guy Garvey has called "fucking bleak"), Cast of Thousands, or Leaders of the Free World (which may be the best break-up album I've ever heard, considering that half the songs relate to Guy Garvey's break-up with Radio 1 deejay Edith Bowman) -- are brilliantly inventive.

 

[The]

Elbow? Okay, I'll look them up. I've never heard of them, but I'm willing to give anything a try once. Thanks!

 

[HappyDayRiot]

I'd second that recommendation - go for Leaders of the Free World.