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Arcade Fire — Afterlife
Album: Reflektor
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1022









Released: 2013
Length: 5:50
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Afterlife. Oh my God, what an awful word
After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.
And after all this time, and after all the ambulances go
And after all the hangers-on are done hanging on in the dead lights
Of the afterglow
I've gotta know
Can we work it out?

If we scream and shout 'till we work it out
Can we just work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out
'till we work it out, 'till we work it out
'till we work it out, 'till we work it out

Afterlife. I think I saw what happens next
Oh, it was just a glimpse of you, like looking through a window
Or a shallow sea
Could you see me?
And after all this time
It's like nothing else we used to know
And after all the hangers-on are done hanging on in the dead lights
Of the afterglow

I've gotta know...

Can we work it out?
If we scream and shout 'till we work it out
Can we just work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out?

But you say "Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?"
And you say
"Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?"
And where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?

And after this
Can it last another night?
After all the bad advice
That had nothing at all to do with life

I've gotta know

Can we work it out?
If we scream and shout 'till we work it out
Can we just work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out?

But you say
"Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?"
And you say
"Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?"
We know it's gone
But where did it go?
And where do we go?

Is this the afterlife?
It's just an afterlife with you.
It's just an afterlife.
It's just an afterlife.
It's just an afterlife with you.
It's just an afterlife.
It's just an afterlife.
Comments (61)add comment
 handyrae wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, one thing that happened is that they got even more self-indulgent than they already were.


I'm confused by the usage of "self-indugence" in music criticism. Should bands be making music that they themselves do NOT enjoy?? Sounds like crass commercialism to me. And fuck that noise. 
Posted 3 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I'm a simple man, I see Arcade Fire I press PSD (and go straight to Massive Attack. <3)
Posted 3 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
 ottovonb wrote:
Wretched but consistent.
 

LOL! I love this review  ... and I say this as someone who does dig a few Arcade Fire tunes. A few ... not many.
Posted 4 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 dyharenas wrote:
Is it unfair to call this band formulaic, or is it me, not them?
 

Nope. Here is what I think the problem is.   For many years, there was a huge spawning of creative and diverse RnR bands. That supply has continued to shrink each year.  So this creates a huge void.

So when a very mediocre band like these guys step up and into the void, they garner an undeserved amount of attention, due to lack of other compelling bands. 

But for people like me, I have high expectations and therefore consider these types of bands...sub par.

This also applies 10X to that other over-rated band: Foo Fighters. Ha! 
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Is it unfair to call this band formulaic, or is it me, not them?
Posted 6 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
This album has really grown on me.  You have to sit with AF and listen to the lyrics to the music to really understand.  It is thought provoking and sincere.  Their albums are like books and each song is a chapter.  This album is about reflection, on your life, how we perceive others, how we feel about ourselves.  It's pretty cool. 
Posted 7 years ago by Rochoa78    [ Reply ]
Snoozefest.
Posted 7 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
A little less overwrought than their usual stuff, but not by much.
Posted 7 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
I don't get the appeal of this music. Sounds like it was written by a 12-year-old.
Posted 8 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Why the fascination with this band? 

Boring, muted, souless,monotonic, no hooks, etc. 
 

 
same feelings... 5.
Posted 8 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
Thump thump.... thump thump thump thump ... 
Scream and shout.
That about covers it.
Good lyrics. Spare me the rest. Arcade Fire Extinguisher.  
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Why the fascination with this band? 

Boring, muted, souless,monotonic, no hooks, etc. 
 
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Let me lock that in for you: 

Miley Cyrus waving her tongue in an endless loop 

 
Thank you kcar (almost wet my pantz)
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Wretched but consistent.
Posted 10 years ago by ottovonb    [ Reply ]
I don't see what all the excitement is about these guys (hype maybe) but their music does nothing for me.
All lot of people raved about their Glastonbury set but I kept asking myself, has another song started yet? It all just sounded the same.
Maybe too old, but there's plenty new music I do like.
Sorry for negativity, I usually enjoy listening to just about everythimg on RP, but had to get this out! 
Posted 10 years ago by vaiodon    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:
Not sure what happened to Arcade fire between 'In the Suburbs' and 'Reflektor', but it wasn't good, that's for sure.

As much as I strive to see if the album is a grower, it's not. Tried again yesterday. It's a repetitive dirge with some electronic noodling thrown in.


 

 
As far as I'm concerned, one thing that happened is that they got even more self-indulgent than they already were.
Posted 10 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
How to stretch one good musical idea into infinity.
Posted 10 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
Sadly, my rating of this song falls each time I hear it.  It will eventually annoy me, I feel.
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Not sure what happened to Arcade fire between 'In the Suburbs' and 'Reflektor', but it wasn't good, that's for sure.

As much as I strive to see if the album is a grower, it's not. Tried again yesterday. It's a repetitive dirge with some electronic noodling thrown in.


 
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
 aaronm wrote:

I totally agreed with you -- until I went to the Reflektor tour. Now, I'm pretty much hooked.

 
Great to hear that as I have tickets to see them soon in Chicago, so may that be the case for me too....we shall see!
Posted 10 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
i'm in the minority of folks here liking this song and the album ... To the extent that I bought two of their older albums of which I already had two ... I adore them now in part from a lot of listening to them on arcade fire iPod shuffle -- I especially look forward to the reflektor bits now ...  
Posted 10 years ago by Amyjacksoncc    [ Reply ]
psd psd psd psd psd
Posted 10 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
I'm disappointed this album has really not grown on me at all. I listened to it actively several times all the way through and have not returned since.  That is not the case with any of their other albums for me (especially their first 3).  Yes there are a few strong tracks, but overall it falls flat and lacks the Essence and soul of their other works...IMHO. {#Stupid}

 
I totally agreed with you -- until I went to the Reflektor tour. Now, I'm pretty much hooked.
Posted 10 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
 coffeeadikt wrote:
I cannot NOT hear the lyrics as "Scream and shout, twerk it out." {#No}

 
Let me lock that in for you: 

Miley Cyrus waving her tongue in an endless loop 
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I cannot NOT hear the lyrics as "Scream and shout, twerk it out." {#No}
Posted 10 years ago by coffeeadikt    [ Reply ]
Grande!!!!!
Arcade Fire.
Valeu Bill!!!!!!
Posted 10 years ago by sfcarvalho    [ Reply ]
Are they copying a band that's covered some other unoriginal band?
Posted 10 years ago by mkrueck    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
I'm disappointed this album has really not grown on me at all. I listened to it actively several times all the way through and have not returned since.  That is not the case with any of their other albums for me (especially their first 3).  Yes there are a few strong tracks, but overall it falls flat and lacks the Essence and soul of their other works...IMHO. {#Stupid}

 
Well I didn't care for it at all and it's growing on me, but glacially. This track's okay but not good enough to make me wish I had the album.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's because I am of an advanced age............. but I just don't get these guys. A solid 3
Posted 10 years ago by meauclaire    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Please...no more of these guys. The music is weak, muted, souless, boring. And every song sounds the same. 


Uh oh...I think I just described 90% of rock music today.    

 
No, these guys are the worst of the 90%.
Posted 10 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
 shale wrote:

That's a possible understatement {#Wink} Keep expecting it to break into:-

Up, down, turn around
Please don't let me hit the ground
Tonight I think I'll walk alone
I'll find my soul as I go home

 
GREAT call!  Very impressive.  {#Biggrin}
Posted 10 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 dogpound wrote:
Has a New Order feel 

 
That's a possible understatement {#Wink} Keep expecting it to break into:-

Up, down, turn around
Please don't let me hit the ground
Tonight I think I'll walk alone
I'll find my soul as I go home
Posted 10 years ago by shale    [ Reply ]
Has a New Order feel 
Posted 10 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
I'm disappointed this album has really not grown on me at all. I listened to it actively several times all the way through and have not returned since.  That is not the case with any of their other albums for me (especially their first 3).  Yes there are a few strong tracks, but overall it falls flat and lacks the Essence and soul of their other works...IMHO. {#Stupid}

 
Let's wait for their next release. I won't even give them a chance by listening to this particular album.
Posted 10 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
I am more concerned about the afterwife than the afterlife.
Posted 10 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
I'm disappointed this album has really not grown on me at all. I listened to it actively several times all the way through and have not returned since.  That is not the case with any of their other albums for me (especially their first 3).  Yes there are a few strong tracks, but overall it falls flat and lacks the Essence and soul of their other works...IMHO. {#Stupid}
Posted 10 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Not much of an AF fan but this works great for me on a more abstract level.
Posted 10 years ago by Hans_Heintz    [ Reply ]
I'm trying so hard to rate at least one song from this album higher than 5, but the mission is still impossible... 5.
Posted 10 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
Very very nice. The new LP is a real grower although a couple of duff tracks....very interesting overall and a big LCD SS influence is appealing as a one off....
Posted 10 years ago by freaknout    [ Reply ]
PSD
Posted 10 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Yay... new rdo.... more relentless negativity...

 
Aw, c'mon...it is not relentless and it is mostly positive if you ran an analyis...

sent from ihone 
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Better than the title track.
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Yay...new AF....more whining to a disco beat....
 
Yay... new rdo.... more relentless negativity...
Posted 11 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Really digging this new album. I appreciate the originality.
Posted 11 years ago by annieb63    [ Reply ]
Yay...new AF....more whining to a disco beat....
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Yeah, I'm not so sure. Not that I'm disagreeing with anyone about how they feel about this record, but I think it is better than the ho-hum reviews it is getting here. Maybe the song "Reflektor" was not as great as stuff from "The Suburbs", but this song is pretty good. You can tell they're trying to do something, say something, trying really hard not to be interesting, but to make something that is more than disposable. I want to be open to that.
Posted 11 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]

A VERY disappointing album from what I've heard so far. Their worst for sure.


Posted 11 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
Please...no more of these guys. The music is weak, muted, souless, boring. And every song sounds the same. 


Uh oh...I think I just described 90% of rock music today.    
Posted 11 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
After the previous album, this song really sums up that their recent album sounds more like a rehash of 'The Suburbs'.
A very bad rehash.
It's dull. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
love it :)
Posted 11 years ago by Olle_Hungrig    [ Reply ]
Wow - I like Arcade Fire a lot -- and this track is fantastic -- even for them!  Good, good stuff from this band.  They are truly unique and make great music.

I am truly surprised by the negative reactions below.
Posted 11 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
 calispera wrote:
I've heard that this album will be out on the 29th of October (2013) in France. So, that's not bad to hear it already on Radio Paradise ;)

....

Just checked on Wikipedia : It will be out in Canada the same day, so, next tuesday.

 
Don't get your hopes up.  It is a distinctly average album ( a double at that ) and the lead singers voice never changes so by the end of the album you are bored with him.
Posted 11 years ago by Jim_Messenger    [ Reply ]
These guys again???!!!!!!!!????   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
Here is a link to a live stream of AC performing at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles on October 28. I caught some of it on CBC yesterday while drive. I'm excited to pick up this album!
Posted 11 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
This is better than the title track IMHO.  Too early to rate but the first few bars caught my ear.  Let's give it a 6 for now.
 
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Sorry - gonna have to change channels.  I know it's just subjective, but this kind of (sorta empty synth-dance) music is not to my taste. 
Posted 11 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
I've heard that this album will be out on the 29th of October (2013) in France. So, that's not bad to hear it already on Radio Paradise ;)

....

Just checked on Wikipedia : It will be out in Canada the same day, so, next tuesday.
Posted 11 years ago by calispera    [ Reply ]
Ah, these guys are good but they got nothing on this new band called the Reflektors. Those guys totally kick compared to Arcade Fire. And get this, they're from Canada too! WTF?!
Posted 11 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
More dancy than their other stuff but still good.
Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
First time hearing new song not as immediate as some of their other stuff. Good hypnotic beat thing going on throughout though.
Posted 11 years ago by merkin_muffley    [ Reply ]
way too much talkin, not powerful enough in the semi-joy division of things
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]