have you tried downloading it on Limewire or soulseek? Usually good for that stuff. Sound good to me too... I'm a big fan of the Arcade Fire and one of the first things I thought about the vocals(Win) was the likeness to Bowie and Byrne. I'll have to get my hands on that too so!

Are you sure that it's with Byrne or just them doing a cover (they have done the song at a few gigs/radio sessions)? I got a great deal on this from HMV.co.uk both 7'' and the cd single for a fiver sterling. They are opening for Byrne in LA soon as well.

It's definately a collaboration and not just a cover.

Have been trying to figure out who they sound like. The best i can come up with is Talking Heads a la Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Don't the Polyphonic Spree just sound like the Flaming lips though

i wouldnt have thought of the polyphonic spree and the flaming lips, i suppose there are similarities, i wouldnt say they are huge though, anything pre Soft Bulletin is quite different me thinks. They both sound damn good though!

I don't think the Arcade Fire sound anything like The Flaming Lips. I'm not sure what comparrisons I could make, given that The Arcade Fire sound very different to most things around at the moment. They have really created their own sound, I think. And for me, even for Bsides and stuff that aren't on the album or that I haven't heard, are all instantly recognisable as The Arcade Fire. The influences that I hear when I listen to the Arcade Fire are vague - like choral arrangements, even that kind of religious hymn sound (might be something to do with the organ/keyboards). The precussion is almost like heavy blues or something, and the violinists bring that kind of dramatic, stacatto sound, as if trying to imitate and opera accompaniement. God, I've just melted my own head. The most important thing is, did anybody else notice the bird cage in their kick drum on Jools Holland? No one will believe me.

Well I didnt mean the entire album sounded heavily influenced by the Polyphonic Spree - As i said there are huge variations between some tracks but its eay to identify that the uplifting group vocals and genreal style of Wake Up are pretty similar. And for that reason I can see the Flaming Lips thing too - but I'm not saying thats ALL I hear ALL over the album. Even the video for this song shows a similar style tp the 'Spree ie - really passionate group of people really into the song banging things to make noise / sound lead by a rather enthusiastic front man and being very communcal - I cant really get out wat I'm tryin to say properly I had a mental wkend so I'l stop but yea - I think y kno where I'm goin with it.

dammit. I've spent a few days wowing people with stories of birds in drumkits. That's such a cool idea though. Another reason to like them!

Just got Funeral recently - behind the times, I know! Have to say that it's quite a while since I heard an album so obviously brilliant on its first listen. Well OK, Silent Alarm was pretty obviously great too but Funeral ranks up there in terms of bands justifying the hype. As for influences, I think you need to look back a lot further than Flaming Lips or the Spree. The New Wavers of the late 70s, early 80s popularised the use of steady, high tempo drums and bass with cutting guitars and wailed staccato vocals. Makes sense that David Byrne could be hooking up with them. While that is again very much the sound of now, one of the drawbacks of Funeral is that the drums kick in when the song is beautiful as it is. Plus, the lead singer can't sing to save his life - a gifted singer and less Strokesy drums could have made for a true timeless record, though it's still one of the best of the last couple of years.

he mightn't "be able to sing", but he still has a great f**kin voice

There's nothing wrong with his voice??? He CAN'T SING. Wonderful songs that they are, he just wails. I can't help but think how much better (and I mean mind-blowingly good) the album would have been if a good singer were on board. It wouldn't have to be Jeff Buckley, just someone who can hold a note with passion. And while it is indie kids who can see (or hear) past Win's vocals, it is the kind of thing that will keep them in the indie ghetto. And I think their music is too good for that. It deserves to be keeping Coldplay off number one, nevermind Crazy Frog.

Man this is gonna be a case of total personal preferance.... but again what about established and repsected singers like the ones I mentioned before.... thats what makes the music what it is. Jeff Buckleys voice and music were suited.. The whole angular quality of the Arcade Fires sound is the reason that his 'less than conventional singing voice' works so well. Variety, something different has been the reason that so many bands made it and became so influential.. from Bowie to Joy Division even the f**king Happy Mondays (now theres a dude who cant sing).. but maybe if he did have the run of the mill standard 'i can hold a note' voice the whole thing would've fallen to s**t.

I dont think that his voice holds back the Arcade Fire at all, it sounds great on record, and suits the tunes.