- Pallett, right, with Arcade Fire in New York.
When Arcade Fire won Record of the Year at the Grammys, my Facebook and Twitter filled with “Who is Arcade Fire?” posts (whose didn’t?). Despite the band’s album The Suburbs being on practically everyone’s best-of list at the end of the year, people clearly weren’t aware who the indie band was and weren’t afraid to let the world know. That’s fine. No snobbery about it here, but if it helps some readers to relate to the band (or open their minds beyond Top 40 radio), well, here ya go:
Owen Pallett is no stranger to gay audiences. Or shouldn’t be. But while he’s creating his own lush songs, he’s also had input on all of AF’s releases and has toured as a member. Pallett contributed string arrangements to each album and has played violin on the first two as well as on tour. The last we saw of Pallett here was as an opener for the band back in October. AF member Régine Chassagne and Pallett also composed the score for The Box with Cameron Diaz.
Feel any better? No? OK, well there’s always Katy Perry.
Well I hope their album is better than their live performance b/c they sounded horrible…maybe it’s the Grammys curse b/c everyone sounded horrible even BARBRA!
Yeah, I didn’t like their performance too much. And I can’t say I got much on board with their album. But nice to see them get some attention in a big way.
Well, I love this band. I don’t watch award shows, so I didn’t cach their live perfomance. But I’ve seen them in concert and they’re great. I know they don’t have the artistic integrity of Katy Perry or Bruno Mars, they only compose melodies and play instruments. That’s sarcasm if you didn’t notice. I can’t be the only gay that has a disdain for most pop music. it seems the pop genre has hit an all time artistic low.
I think there is some smart pop happening. Not to be obvious but I do think Gaga brings something different to the table, even if she is getting slammed for ripping her latest song. Robyn, Scissor Sisters, Passion Pit among many others are very pop but also add something to the genre that’s not so insulting like most artists played out on the radio..
Gaga brings steak and eggs to the table! Well… award shows….
Katy Perry should be banned from making music for “Peacock” alone. Anyways, I don’t understand why anyone really cares who won the album of the year anyways. As much as I love the Arcade Fire -and they did deserve to win because they’re amazing- we have remember this is the same award that got handed to Herbie Hancock for doing a bunch piano jazz covers of Joni Mitchell songs. Can you imagine anything more insufferable?
Also, I would say, in response to people bitching about who is The Arcade Fire, that Suburbs was a billboard #1 album last year and their tour managed to sell out Madison Square Garden 3 days in a row. So they may be indie but they’re not exactly obscure. Obviously more than a few people have heard of them
Oh oh! And I forget :). For those of you peeing your pants over “Born this Way” and its message of hope, I would suggest giving the Suburbs a chance. Win Butler grew up outside of Houston and the album is all about being someone who is different and creative and who feels trapped and isolated in a suburban hell hole of tract housing and boredom. I can’t dance to it, but for me, I found those songs far more relatable and profound than some chick in a goofy hat demanding me to be a queen. Just sayin
I loved Arcade Fire, and was thrilled when they won out (yes, even over Katy). It was fantastic to see a smaller band win out, even if their best work was “Funeral”. And for all who said “WTF?!!”, shame on you!! 🙂 listen to them, they’re brilliant.