With the Grammys tomorrow night it seems the right time to revisit Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" which has a best album nod alongside the exalted Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Eminem and somebody called Lady Antebellum (anyone know who or what this is).

Is it just me or is there an odd man out in that list? It's kinda like putting the best of the Stones or the Beatles alongside Herman's Hermits, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, the Archies etc. It just seems completely wrong.

There are few bands, and they should be praised to the heavens, that straddle the line between commercial success and intelligent, yet emotive and engaging musicianship the way these guys do. I wasn't sure that "The Suburbs" would live up to "Funeral" or "Neon Bible" but with each listen I find myself latching on to a new favourite song. Initially it was Rococo (#4) and City with No Children (#6) and then tracks 7 & 8 and now its probably tracks 11 & 12. Who knows where it will be by the 20th spin.

This is completely unlike my experience with last years National album where despite repeated listens I still am only drawn to Bloodbuzz Ohio which is a brilliant song and to a lesser extent the first track Terrible Love. The remainder is morose in the extreme.

One year on from the Vancouver Olympics here's hoping for another Canadian triumph tomorrow night.