Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

Joseph Smith | 14 March 2007

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The second album from Montreal indie-rock group Arcade Fire is a mixture of musical genres. There are string and orchestral arrangements blended with new wave and punk rock influences. The eclectic mix of music from this eight-piece is impressive.

Fans of Radiohead, Sigur Ros and Bloc Party will enjoy the music of Arcade Fire, as should fans of older bands like The Cure, New Order and The Smiths.

In their provocatively titled Neon Bible, Arcade Fire have incorporated music styles from decades past while making them sound fresh for the modern listener.

Targeting Christianity

As the title Neon Bible might suggest, Arcade Fire have their sights firmly set on Christianity. Or at least, certain expressions of Christianity. The lyricists equate Christianity with organised religion, narrow-minded people and the nationalistic pride that drives the USA establishment.

The vocalist on title track Neon Bible sings:

“Take the poison of your age,
Don’t lick your fingers when you turn the page,
It was wrong but you said it was right,
In the future I will read at night.
It’s the Neon Bible, the Neon Bible
Not much chance for survival”

It’s not hard to pick the singer’s disdain for the teachings of the Bible. He refers to the Neon Bible as “a vial of hope and a vial of pain” poured out to every boy and girl around the world. It seems like he is rebelling against the Christian teaching that he received as a child which now feels irrelevant to his life.

It highlights a problem of many adults who have not been to church since their childhood years. Their understanding of everything else in the world has matured, but their knowledge of the Bible is still that of a child. It’s no surprise that the teachings of the Bible might appear simplistic compared to their understanding of modern wisdom. However, it is a sad and cynical response to the living Word of God.

Critisising the Christian life

In Intervention the vocalist moves from criticising Christian teaching to criticising the Christian life.

These seem like the words of a person who has been burnt repeatedly while being brought up in a Christian family. It tells the story of a family where commitment levels were high, but love was a low priority.

In The Well & The Lighthouse biblical imagery is used. Like much of Arcade Fire’s lyrics, these lyrics are more like poetry that evoke a feeling as opposed to prose that tells a story or offers a viewpoint. However, there does appear to be a doubting of the promises that God has made to his people.

“Resurrectin’ livin’ in a lighthouse
the lions and the lambs ain’t sleepin’ yet”

There is little doubt the lyricist is referring to a number of texts from Isaiah. He sees the promises and teachings of the Bible as simplistic and falling far short of his own life experience. The Christian knows that God’s promises are most fulfilled when people submit to his will and trust in his Word. To let our life experience dictate our beliefs is to fall into the trap so common amongst those in modern society and sadly, even some in the modern church.

A scathing attack

The most scathing attack on Christianity comes near the end of the album on Antichrist Television Blues. This track appears to be an attack against the many middle Americans who profess belief in God, but really see Him as a genie to be bargained with who will bless them richly if they jump through enough hoops.

“Dear God, I’m a good Christian man,
Oh God, would you send me a child?
‘Cause I wanna put it up on the TV screen,
so the world can see what your true word means.
Lord would you just send me a sign?
‘Cause I just gotta know if I’m wasting my time!”

The cynical attack on the way many Christians and non-Christians view God is actually quite astute. Even the most humble Christian can fall into the trap of expecting immediate reward for a good deed done in God’s name.

The vocalist, in character, turns angry as God does not give his daughter the fame and fortune he desires.

“I’m through being cute, I’m through being nice,
Oh tell me, Lord, am I the Antichrist?!”

It’s a reminder to Christians that even when we don’t get what we want, it doesn’t mean that God is distant or has stopped loving us. The Old Testament reminds us that even as Job suffered greatly, he recognised the love and sovereignty of God: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

No forgiveness from Arcade Fire

The other Christian tenet that Arcade Fire’s lyricists react against is forgiveness. In a number of songs, there are strong statements made against any willingness to forgive, even in situations where the vocalist admits he is partly at fault.

“Don’t wanna live in my father’s house no more.
Don’t wanna fight in a holy war,
I don’t wanna live in America no more.
Just because you’ve forgotten
Doesn’t mean you’re forgiven”

The lyricist has also equated Christianity with the American establishment. It’s hardly surprising given the way politics in America has progressed in recent years. Still, it is sad that Christianity must be tarred with that same brush.

The thesis of Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible is that Christianity is irrelevant and if there is a God, he is not one worth believing in. Some of the attacks are food for thought for the Christian. However, on the whole, the album puts forward a liberal-secularist’s worldview that most Christians will find hard to stomach.