I’m not sure there was anything more gratifying than reading last week, that not only did the Arcade Fire have the number one album (The Suburbs) on Billboard’s Top 200, but they knocked Eminem out of the top spot to do it. I like Eminem. But this ousting is significant. It’s symbolic. It’s a glowing neon sign. It goes to show that people want more than what the big labels are shoveling down their throats. Eminem, the number one selling artist of the 2000s, was booted out of the top spot by an indie rock band. He wasn’t beaten by another band on another major label. He was beaten by an long-term establish hit maker. He wasn’t beaten by a awful American Idol artist. He was beaten by a respected band on a dingy label that has no money for publicity or promotion. That is lucky to get any radio play. That doesn’t even know how to spell “auto-tune.”
Wake up labels. Pay attention to what people want…not what you want them to want.
In celebration, here’s an Arcade Fire Rarities Collection.
Here is Arcade Fire – Dark Prayer:
3. Cold Wind
4. Brazil
7. Lenin
8. No Cars Go
10. Guns of Brixton
11. My Buddy (by Alvino Rey)
Buy The Arcade Fire’s new album, The Suburbs, now! (Still an affordable $7.99) Do it for no more reason than to stick it to the man.