Customer Reviews

Bloc Party

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This six-track EP is a perfect companion piece to Franz Ferdinand. This South London quartet riffs with the angular power of a Gang of 4 fronted by Damon Albarn. And though they do the punk rock like their forefathers, they also make with the quirky dance moves of arty folks from Essential Logic to The Rapture. Co-singers Kele Okereke and Gordon Moakes trade call-and-response over steady four-four whilst bandmates Russell Lissack and Matt Tong bash unabashedly. Their rock is so smart, in fact, that the dance remix of "Banquet" is nearly a different song, though equally as compelling as the original. Looking forward to their full-length debut later this year.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2004, Bloc Party was being proclaimed as "the" new band to watch in the U.K. (thanks to the overeager--but justifiable--promotion of Radio 1 D.J. Zane Lowe). The video for their first single, "Banquet", is finally getting airplay in the U.S. as 2004 draws to a close (it has been on video rotation in the U.K. since the spring of 2004).

Comparisons to the art-rock of Franz Ferdinand are understandable. However, the song would also be at home on an early R.E.M. recording (think the latter's "Chronic Town" EP, particularly songs like "Stumble" or "Million".) "Banquet" shares the similar angular, lightning-quick guitar riffs that punctuate the song. Also similar to early R.E.M. is the fast-paced drum beat that kicks of the song and seems to stop as soon as it starts.

As of this writing, the band is nearly finished putting together their first full-length album. Hopefully it will make it beyond the shelves of U.K. record stores and be available in the U.S.

Easy warm-up for their popular full length debut, this EP remains pretty unnecessary for all but the obsessed simply from very little compelling material remaining exclusively on here.

This 6 song EP is a combination of Bloc party's first two singles that were orinally only released in the UK. Two of these songs 'Banquet' and 'She's Hearing Voices' were re-recorded for their amazing first album "Silent Alarm". The last track is just a remix - 'Banquet Phones Disco Mix'. So this really only leaves 3 tracks to this EP.

'Staying Fat' features some good driving, angular guitar work and while not AS good, is a good example of things to come on Silent Alarm. Of the 3, this is my favorite track.
'The Marshals Are Dead' is in my opinion a kinda weak song. It's disjointed and doesn't really have a good flow or hook. My least favorite of ALL Bloc Party songs.
'The Answer' is a good song with a driving beat and a fast indie or punk style to it.

This EP isn't that great compared to what these guys would later produce, but is a good example of were they started. The stand out track is obviously 'Banquet', which of course brought the attention of the masses to this awesome up and coming band. This isn't a Must Have, except for complete-ists, and diehard fans will like seeing this bands beginings in songs like 'Staying Fat' and 'The Answer'.

Anyone who knows music knows that Bloc Party have taken over the world. They went from a small East London "art-rock" band to the voices of a generation ala` Gang of Four or Nirvana. This EP was the first taste that we got from them from across the pond, and was the first time they officially announced how incredible they are. Their mega-hit "Banquet" is backed with some amazing B-Sides- I think "The Marshalls are Dead" could actually be one of their greatest.

If you don't know Bloc Party, buy this. This band could be your life- it is for every disaffected teen in the Anglosphere, at least.

I was waiting for the complete record to be released earlier this summer and this was the only record that I was able to buy to satisfy my Bloc Party cravings. It is still worth having as the "Marshalls" is somewhat unlike the rest of their work.

If you've played your Franz Ferdinand album to the point you've sent it into early retirement, this is the next band you will fall in love with. Dance Rock without the processed beats. I can't recommend this band enough!

For those who like Franz Ferdinand, Xfm (UK), or just want to get their groove on to the dance-rock stylings of 2004, this is music that has been made more jagged while jiggered by a round of bartenders who possess an emphatic early-80s jones. This is very good music, and alongside genre mod-crashers The Futureheads, multiethnic Londoners Bloc Party make a strong case for the marriage of heady songcrafting and post-disco bliss. The lyrics here are often commands, with "She don't think straight" and "She got a dirty mind" punctuating leadoff single "Banquet" such that if you're not breaking your neck twisting to these tracks, you're probably better off buying a Toby Keith CD and drinking Bud. The Banquet remix is really incredible -- a sort of futuristic guitar romp over snaps, claps, and a pulsating bassline. On the whole, you'll be moving back and forth all through this EP. Worth every penny.

Every song is an absolute pop masterpeice. seriously. except for "Staying Fat," but i'm still gonna give this 5 stars. c'mon. also the Disco edit of "Banquet" was not really necessary, but i guess it's more danceable, gonna get this one in the clubs or something. Anyways, just buy it.

Bloc Party's Debut will be released on march 22nd of 2005 and promises to be the best thing britain has ever heard. This is just as good and a VERY SWEET preview.