And all we see
Are kids in buses longing to be free
Wasted hours, before we knew
Where to go, and what to do
Wasted hours that you make new
And turn into
A life that we can live
    -Wasted Hours by Arcade Fire

Music has been a part of culture since the beginning of human existence – a form of expression for some, and pure entertainment for others. It can be a release from the real world into an abyss of creativity. Some dig the catchy lyrics, while others find the chord progressions and beat to be what ultimately connects them to the song. Recently, Minnesotans had the privilege of experiencing the perfect example of a band which universally relates to both types of listeners: Arcade Fire. They are on the road once again, this time with their dazzling Reflektor album to present to the world.

Lyrics relate people to emotions they can’t feel from interacting with people and help them to feel understood, if only for a couple minutes. This connection is expressed through the lyrics of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne. In Wasted Hours, they feel for the ones who spend hours in school but wish for more adventurous experiences. Many students have this utter need to escape their seemingly unending days spent in school. What makes lyrics special is how each listener portrays the words in their own individual way. The writer could be singing about something completely meaningless, but the listener recognizes it as much more than that. Along with lyrics, Arcade Fire has a way of crafting arrangements that attract wonder in their melody. They combine brass and percussion with strings to create an enormous orchestra of sound with only six members.

Our brains are wired to appreciate the sound of music, whether it be the lyrics or the beat. And in the end, Arcade Fire is helping real people get through the wasted hours of ordinary days.