Album: “Neon Bible”

Artist: Arcade Fire

Label: Merge

Release: March 6

Montreal-based Arcade Fire has big shoes to fill. “Neon Bible” is the eclectic act’s first album since its 2004 debut “Funeral,” an album critically hailed by every major publication for its sweeping diversity and unique composition – a tough act to follow. Fortunately for music consumers, songwriters Win Butler and Regine Chassagne seem to have skipped right over sophomore slumps and jumped to senior year. What began as 15 songs, according to Butler’s blog, has been edited down into 11 epic tracks that flow as smoothly as satin, but each one is so different that it leaves you constantly wondering what’s next. Opening track and first radio-single-to-be “Black Mirror” is filled with piano runs, reverberated vocals and the expected gambit of orchestrated instrumentation for which Arcade Fire is cherished. Religious themes are strewn about throughout the album, and during the title track Butler frantically mumbles “Neon Bible / Neon Bible / not much chance for survival / if the Neon Bible is true.” The album isn’t “Funeral” by any means, but in many ways surpasses it. To fully appreciate the breadth of “Neon Bible,” active listening is required – but that shouldn’t be a problem for an Arcade Fire fan. Expect to see it on “Best of 2007” lists in a year.

By Bill Cleary

Album: “Waking the Mystics”

Artist: Sophe Lux

Label: Zarathustra

Release: Feb. 13

Sophe Lux is what you would get if you brought a group of European street players from a hundred years ago, gave them a crash course in modern music history, and shoved modern instruments into their hands. The waltz tempos and instrumentation – including piano and accordion – give a bohemian feel to the music, but the lyrics are thoroughly modern. The introspection and thoughts on loneliness harken back to the heyday of goth music in the early ’80s. Other tracks are more esoteric – “Marie Antoinette Robot 2073 (A Rock Opera)” delivers exactly what you’d expect from the title.

The band’s sound is differentiated from most indie rock by its use of electronic instruments and by frontress Gwynneth Haynes’ voice. She changes moods whimsically, from the torch singing of “Time of Light” to the upbeat scat of “String Theory.”

I found out about Sophe Lux on The Dresden Dolls’ MySpace, and there are certainly similarities between the two acts – both are fronted by women and have aesthetics dating from about a hundred years ago – but this is lighter fare, a little more fun. I’m impressed with the band, and look forward to hearing more from it.

By Rachel Rouse

Album: “Evolution of Robin Thicke” (Deluxe Edition)

Artist: Robin Thicke

Label: Interscope

Release: Feb. 9

Grammy award-winning songwriter Robin Thicke isn’t new to the music scene, but his latest album, “Evolution of Robin Thicke,” has created quite the following for this R&B/pop artist. His soulful lyrics mixed with upbeat tempos mirror those of Justin Timberlake. Thicke’s 16-track album takes us through all facets of his musical forte. Collaborations with Faith Evans, Pharrell and Lil Wayne range from smooth ballads to catchy hip-hop ditties. My favorite track off this album, “Lost Without U,” mixes reflective lyrics over a toe-tapping beat and Spanish guitar. Songs on this album touch on love, hope, lust, desire and loss. It is impossible to listen to any of these tracks and not be moved by his sincerity and passion. Not convinced that JT brought sexy back? Give Thicke a try.