Reflektor

Lyrical

Arcade Fire "Leaks" Reflektor via YouTube with an Album Lyric Video

Here's a good idea on every level:

1) Almost every album leaks, so why not leak it yourself via YouTube? Especially if more kids listen to music through YouTube than any other service?

2) Why should lyric videos stop at just one song? Especially when your source material is the feature film Black Orpheus, thus providing ample material to take you through the whole album.

So, if you enjoyed the "Afterlife" lyric video, you should love this expanded version for Arcade Fire's entire new album, Reflektor...

Watch It

Arcade Fire's Interactive "Just A Reflektor" Video via Google Chrome, a Webcam and Your Phone

The new Arcade Fire video "Just A Reflektor" is more than just that. Yes, you're encouraged to let the browser turn on your webcam and then you go to a special URL on your mobile device so you can hold it aloft and see it impact and get reflected on the screen. But, it's also a showcase for several impressive and processor-intensive technologies that you can go back and explore more in-depth. It's also a tool to bring light to Haiti, a place where the band has previously focused charitable efforts.

But, the main effect if you do as you're directed is that you're forced to pay attention: Your computer is tied-up to create the video effects and your iPhone (or whatnot) is pointing away from you, for once, and you realize that this may be the first seven minutes in a long time where you're not checking your email or otherwise distracted.

And that is the neatest trick of all...