The third album is usually when I decide how much I like a band. There are lots of great first albums out there, and almost all of them are followed up with a disappointing second one. I don't know if it is because the record companies rush a follow up after a successful debut that took years to craft, or if it is simply that the originality can't be repeated. But I can't think of a single band that followed up a great first record with a better second one (hopefully someone will help me out here).
I fell in love with The Arcade Fire's first album Funeral and played it to death. The second, Neon Bible, was interesting but ultimately not addictive. There is a pretty huge amount of hype out there, including a huge cover story in yesterday's art section of the NY Times, for the third release, The Suburbs, and my fingers are crossed that they will achieve that ground-breaking third album that proves them worthy of all the buzz. Until then, a little Rebellion for your music monday.
