I think the review makes some valid criticisms but I don't share their view on how much fun the album is to listen to. I really think that if a band who weren't Arcade Fire made this album it would be getting good reviews but they are suffering from the weight of expectation. So much of that review talks about what Arcade Fire "is", their identity etc. and what the reviewer was hoping or wanting from them, and felt like they didn't get. That's fine but I think it's an unfair prism with which to view new material.
It's probably their weakest album but I don't think it's a bad one. Everything Now is a fun song, I think Creature Comfort is brilliant (and it was spectacular live), I weirdly like Chemistry (but it lacks much ambition), Electric Blue is lovely, and I think Put Your Money On Me is one of my favourite songs since The Suburbs.
They've tried to do something and it hasn't quite worked. They're the victims of their own success and the fact that they've had this massive all encompassing marketing and media campaign has cranked the pressure up even further.
I'd give it 7.5 out of 10. Maybe 7 if I was being critical. But 5.6 is a bit ridiculous.
Each to their own, it's music and tastes are subjective. But I feel that some critics have been wanting to have a pop at the band for a while because they seem quite aloof and pretentious, and are going overboard in their reviews.
