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Like most people we’ve had the new Arcade Fire album for a good long time. Neon Bible is out today from Merge Records. We’ve taken it in, listened to it through our headphones and thought a lot about how it stacks up to their first effort, 2004’s Funeral. And in the end we like it a lot. Maybe even more so. It seems there won’t be any sophomore slump for the Fire, what with the church organs and choirs. Just wanted to let everyone know, that though you may already have a copy of the album it’s possible to buy the darn thing today. If you’re not inclined and miss the liner notes, you can head over to Six Eyes for a transcription of the tracks lyrics.

And if you’re really into Neon Bible there’s a movie you can rent from 1995 by the same name, starring of all people Denis Leary and Gena Rowlands. It’s based on the book by John Kennedy Toole. Cause we know some of you prefer reading to watching the talking pictures.

The plot had us at hello: “While on a train, a teenage boy thinks about his life and the flamboyant aunt whose friendship acted as an emotional shield from his troubled family. This film evokes the haunting quality of memory while creating a heartfelt portrait of a boy’s life in a rural 1940s Southern town.”

We would’ve written up our thoughts on the Arcade Fire’s shameless plagiarism of this fine Denis Leary film, but what’s the point? We know you love their orchestral jangly pop music, featuring tons of world-weary lyrics.

Lost in all the Oscar hoopla was a stellar two song set from Arcade Fire on SNL this past Saturday. The started off with “Intervention” and then closed with “Keep the Car Running,” both cuts from the forthcoming Neon Bible.

Arcade Fire certainly delivered the goods and made the Rainn Wilson hosted show worth tuning in for. Sure makes me wish I could have gotten down to NYC for their five night run at Judson Memorial Church. If, like me you didn’t get down to see those performances you can grab the Friday show at Hearsay and the Saturday show over at NPR.

Is it just me or does Winn look an aweful look like Christopher Walken’s creepy art son in Wedding Crashers?

Look at Winn on the left and the actor who plays Todd Cleary in Wedding Crashers in the photo on the right. He’s the creepy one on the far right, in case you couldn’t tell. Enjoy the aural pleasure of “Keep the Car Running” from SNL. And in case you were wondering, Sak Vide Pa Kanpe (as taped to Winn’s guitar during their first song) means “An empty sack cannot stand up” in English. It’s a creole saying.

Neon Bible streets 3/6