" we're just a million little gods. "

Welcome to my wonderful little weblog. I don't intend for this to get much exposure. I really only want to have a medium for me to express some of my notes on music and on life. People may not agree with everything I say, but big deal.

My name is Brett Albers. I'm 18 years old and currently attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville as a Freshman. Asheville is a nice little pocket of idealism and liberalism in the sea of red that is North Carolina. To say the least, living here allows for me to open my mind to all kinds of new things, especially music.

Well instead of babbling on about my personal life, I'd like to get started. I'll most likely review an album or talk about some new thing in music when I post here.

Just recently I acquired an (illegal) copy of Arcade Fire's Funeral. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started listening to it. I mean, look at all of the hype this band has gotten before and since the release of their debut album. It's topped or been near the top of nearly ever critics best of 2004 list.

Rather then go through song by song and tell you how wonderful each track is, I'll give you a general overview of why this album truly is amazing. Amazingly, after such heartache from the loss of family members that the band members experienced, they were able to channel their emotions into a incredibly brilliant and intellectual album. While they could easily fall into a dark tirade about death, The Arcade Fire touch on what life really means. They discuss what must be done to change the monotony of life and how to escape the "Neighborhood" that everyone is trapped in.

All I can say is this album is an epic tale of death, life, and the meanings of both. It's very easy for the casual listener to automatically categorize The Arcade Fire with every other indie-rock or "emo" band out there, but even if their music pushes the limits of what is heard in the mainstream and is exuding with bold emotion, they do it so beautifully that they must be respected.

Without a doubt, The Arcade Fire should cherish with gratitude the praise they've received, because they obviously deserve it. It's been a long time since I've seen or heard a debut album of such amazing quality. Funeral is most definitely the best album of 2004.