The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)

Here in America, there has been much talk of the Arcade Fire during the first half of 2005, and I, like any good sceptic, was concerned that they would not be able to live up to the hype surrounding them. As such, I held off on buying their album - Funeral - for as long as possible. Don't make the same mistake I did. This is an awesome album from this band from Canada. The sound is full, rocking and up-lifting. Guitars, drums, piano, violin, xylophone, synth, accordian, horns, harp - see... full. Track no. 7 - Wake Up - will have you jumping around the room, very possibly covered in goosebumps - definitely with a smile on your face. You would have to have a heart of stone and a soul of ash to not be picked up and driven along by this collection of songs.