Funeral, as a debut album, could do no more. It was 'the' album of 2004 - every song being an absolute gem. The album grew from the band's collective experiences with recent deaths in their respective families. These themes of regret, of trying to remember those deceased is etched into every song.

Their sound is quite unlike anything else. Although they have spawned a few imitators, and anything half decent that now springs from Montral is hailed as the 'new Arcade Fire', they are the band that performs their multi-instrument, multi-layered style the best.

The first part of the album is dominated by the Neighborhood tracks. That they choose to draw upon their 'neighborhoods' for musical inspiration again shows the state of mind the band must have been in, the neighborhood being the site of one's youth - were all those they loved still exist.

This is a truly magnificent album and will go down in musical history as a great. It will make you cry, dance and smile. Sometimes even at the same time.