After all the rage about its first album released in 2004, Arcade Fire’s Funeral left high expectations for its anticipated new album, Neon Bible. The band takes its sound to exciting places with the use of a pipe organ, a military choir and a full Hungarian orchestra.

With these instruments and vocalists, it is apparent that the music is exciting with new and unheard sounds. This complements the band’s natural lyrics with novelistic style, where each song has an intro, a climax and a resolution.

Funeral was a much gloomier album and, not straying much from its title, was dark and subdued at times. From start to finish, its songs, “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” and “Backseat,” speak of superstitions and nightmares – some of the album’s ominous perks.

As for Neon Bible, don’t let the tone of the first track throw you off guard. “Black Mirror” starts it off, carrying similar messages from Funeral over to the new album. The rest of the album leaves more of a hopeful thought – spiritual and bright. While there is still the tinge of the dark connotation of captivity within its songs (“My Body is a Cage,” and “The Well & the Lighthouse”), they are sung in an uplifting way that alludes to an elevating transition between the albums.

“No Cars Go” is a slightly renovated track off of its debut EP. The real excitement on the track comes from a choir and orchestra harmonizing during the song’s climax.

Unlike most hyped bands, Arcade Fire has stayed in the public eye after its first release. Though not on the same level of pop genius as Funeral, the band’s continuous exotic instrumental, vocal and lyrical construction of songs will keep it current in today’s music scene.

Neon Bible

Released on Merge Records

Stater rating (out of five): 3

Contact ALL correspondent Jenna Gerling at [email protected].