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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bloc Party fans have awaited the arrival of Intimacy, the band's third studio LP, with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Where their debut Silent Alarm (produced by Paul Epworth) was universally touted as a modern classic, 2007's follow up, A Weekend in the City, was patchier. Intimacy is helmed by both Lee and Epworth. Its brittle contours, mish-mash of influences, and semi-awkward lyrics are quintessential Bloc Party. Mixing up everything from micro-house and dub-step, to indie rock and electro pop, there's a willful energy here reminiscent of the band's debut (though the spikier elements are more reminiscent of of AWITC. Opening cut "Ares" sets out the band's stall with a bombastic brew of high-energy drums, preening guitars, and urgent sirens, while upbeat lead single "Mercury," employs a quirky astrological motif. These prove to be the most charged tracks on the record as elsewhere the band indulges in choral-chanting and strings ("Zephyrus"), angsty art-rock ("Halo") and a surprisingly uplifting finale in the shape of "Ion Square." Intimacy is predictably unpredictable: knowingly difficult, defiantly angular, yet eminently likeable.--Danny McKenna
Product Description
Following a long run of summer festivals and sold out tour dates,
Bloc Party brings us their newest studio effort. Intimacy is a fittingly
up-close title for an album that is, immediately, in-your-face and
in-your-ear. Bloc Party's third album is a thrillingly radical record,
bristling with percussive innovation, scorching riffs, orchestral
sampledelia, and biting emotional candor.
Bloc Party brings us their newest studio effort. Intimacy is a fittingly
up-close title for an album that is, immediately, in-your-face and
in-your-ear. Bloc Party's third album is a thrillingly radical record,
bristling with percussive innovation, scorching riffs, orchestral
sampledelia, and biting emotional candor.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Seth Ford
Format:Audio CD
Bloc Party has never been a band to stick with a single genre. This was shown on their debut album, 'Silent Alarm' and furthered itself on their greatly-under-appreciated 'Weekend in the City'. With their newest release, 'Intimacy', Bloc Party has once again reinvented themselves and shattered any preconceptions that one might have about the English group.
Upon exploring 'Intimacy' the album abruptly explodes in your face with the electronic/dance rebellion-screaming 'Ares' and delivers an immediate response with the first single from the album, 'Mercury'. Every track on this album will make you want to sing along, dance, and move to every beat. Although some may be adverse to the use of electronic/rock sounding rhythms, Bloc Party uses these techniques perfectly and takes full advantage of the energy they can create.
It must be said though, the standout song (believe it or not) is the slowest song they offer up this turn. The minimalistic approach used in the song 'Signs' will leave you in awe while the lyrics could bring one to tears. From an album this loud, something this quiet and simple shows the band can perform beautifully no matter the pacing.
The only mark against the album is that it does move at such a fast pace that some of the songs tend to sound alike (this is thanks to the use of the electronic style ever-present on this album.)
All in all, this album is a must have. It's an exciting and intimate look into singer/songwriter Kele Okereke's intimate life while keeping the songs uplifting and fun. While there are one or two songs that fall short, they fall because the rest of the album is so well done. Easily a contender for 2008 Album of the Year.
(4.5 out of 5)
Upon exploring 'Intimacy' the album abruptly explodes in your face with the electronic/dance rebellion-screaming 'Ares' and delivers an immediate response with the first single from the album, 'Mercury'. Every track on this album will make you want to sing along, dance, and move to every beat. Although some may be adverse to the use of electronic/rock sounding rhythms, Bloc Party uses these techniques perfectly and takes full advantage of the energy they can create.
It must be said though, the standout song (believe it or not) is the slowest song they offer up this turn. The minimalistic approach used in the song 'Signs' will leave you in awe while the lyrics could bring one to tears. From an album this loud, something this quiet and simple shows the band can perform beautifully no matter the pacing.
The only mark against the album is that it does move at such a fast pace that some of the songs tend to sound alike (this is thanks to the use of the electronic style ever-present on this album.)
All in all, this album is a must have. It's an exciting and intimate look into singer/songwriter Kele Okereke's intimate life while keeping the songs uplifting and fun. While there are one or two songs that fall short, they fall because the rest of the album is so well done. Easily a contender for 2008 Album of the Year.
(4.5 out of 5)
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Music has always played a huge part in my life. I always relate events in my life and where I was to what song I was listening to. It can sometimes be emotional to me as well. No band has made me feel so many different things and left me with great memories over the last couple of years than Bloc Party. Their first album was a great introduction to what they would have to offer in the future. Everyone complains that their second album was just boring and huge let down. A great sign of band is a band that continues to grow and challenge themselves instead of just making the same album over and over. Yes, weekend in the city is nothing like Silent Alarm, but it is still just as rewarding an album with absolute stark and beautiful moments.
Now comes their new album that again, is unlike their previous efforts and shows them growing again. This is who they are now and what they are now is a band that can get you grooving wherever you are, and then pull you down and just make you smile at the quieter moments. The 4 additional songs here are a great addition to the set that was released digitally 2 months ago. The best of them is Talons. There is also, in my opinion, the best stretch of their songs in a row out of any of their album, which goes from zephyrus to Letter to my son. Better than Heaven and Ion Square pack a great one-two punch also. This is just a band that needs to be appreciated for what they are doing. Just sit back and enjoy one of the best albums of the year.
Now comes their new album that again, is unlike their previous efforts and shows them growing again. This is who they are now and what they are now is a band that can get you grooving wherever you are, and then pull you down and just make you smile at the quieter moments. The 4 additional songs here are a great addition to the set that was released digitally 2 months ago. The best of them is Talons. There is also, in my opinion, the best stretch of their songs in a row out of any of their album, which goes from zephyrus to Letter to my son. Better than Heaven and Ion Square pack a great one-two punch also. This is just a band that needs to be appreciated for what they are doing. Just sit back and enjoy one of the best albums of the year.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I absolutely love this Bloc Party cd. I enjoyed all of their music but this is perhaps my favorite album they put out. I immediately adored the first six tracks but it took longer to warm up to the rest. However, once I did, I found some of the most haunting and wonderful songs like "Your Visits Are Getting Shorter" and the undeniably intense "Talons". This cd always makes me think of long nighttime drives in the summer. I never even skip a track - and for me that's the highest honor I bestow on an album.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I loved their debut album Silent Alarm, as most people do, and I enjoyed their follow up, Weekend in the City as well, but currently, I am OBSESSED with Intimacy. The first song I heard was "Signs" which at first listen, I thought was pretty, but a little too soft for my taste. Then, I listened again with the volume way up, and looked up the lyrics, and the song literally brought tears to my eyes. It is a beautiful song musically and lyrically - truly monumental. Another track to mention is "Mercury". Many people seem to dislike this song or criticize it for its strange un-Bloc Party-like style, but I happen to love it. The first time I heard it, I thought it was a little weird and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. Then I noticed that the song would not get out of my head....it would just play over and over in my head until I had to listen to it...Now, I love everything about it...the experimental horns are weird but so cool! It really gets addicting. My other favorite tracks are "Better than Heaven" which has a haunting and intense feeling to it. Another amazing one is "Biko" which I think is pretty underrated. If you really listen to the lyrics it is a beautiful and sad song. Long story short, GET THIS ALBUM!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A. V. Olmen
Format:Audio CD
I was fondly hoping that this album make up for the previous, A Weekend In The City, which was somewhat a letdown in my opinion. After having listened to Intimacy the first couple of times I wasn't that convinced of the album. Nevertheless, a couple of listens later, I felt that the album grew on me, rendering me now obliged to say that, in my opinion, this is their best album yet and possibly one of the best albums in general.
About the album itself can be said a few things. It seems as the band has combined their previous two albums. Namely the rockaspect of Silent Alarm and the experimental aspect of AWITC. In my opinion a very succesful combination. The album comprises of some solid rock songs and some ballads, sometimes with no guitar at all. The lyrics, especially on the ballads, are mostly brilliant and touching, knowing that Kele wrote most of them after a breakup. Due to the vocal effects, especially on Zephyrus, it feels that Kele really is in pain when singing the song.
I have two favourite tracks, one rock and one ballad: Talons and Zephyrus.
About the album itself can be said a few things. It seems as the band has combined their previous two albums. Namely the rockaspect of Silent Alarm and the experimental aspect of AWITC. In my opinion a very succesful combination. The album comprises of some solid rock songs and some ballads, sometimes with no guitar at all. The lyrics, especially on the ballads, are mostly brilliant and touching, knowing that Kele wrote most of them after a breakup. Due to the vocal effects, especially on Zephyrus, it feels that Kele really is in pain when singing the song.
I have two favourite tracks, one rock and one ballad: Talons and Zephyrus.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Different But Worth Exploring
This album is certainly a departure from their previous work. It features more electronic and dance-driven tunes than its predecessors, yet it still sounds like Bloc Party... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Lunar Boulevard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not their best, but still glimpses of the band I love
I almost gave this a 3 star because it just not up to par for me. When introducing Bloc Party to new people, I steer them away from it till they have heard "Silent Alarm". Read more
Published 24 days ago by CTizzle
5.0 out of 5 stars
My friend's birthday
Got this for my friends birthday, gotta say he really loved. He was so happy when he opened the gift, like geeez.
Published 4 months ago by Adam
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hmmmm....
Bloc Party is one of my favorite bands for there first and second albums. The newest, Intimacy, is good.
Intimacy goes the Radiohead route and is very electronic. Read more
Intimacy goes the Radiohead route and is very electronic. Read more
Published on December 18, 2010 by ParkerTheMan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid effort
After the release "A Weekend In The City," Bloc Party have followed it up with "Intimacy." Thankfully, this album recaptures some of the joy that was found on "Silent Alarm. Read more
Published on July 9, 2009 by Greg Kinne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bloc party does it again!!
lets clear things up first...Bloc Party is my favorite band. i have 21 of there cds and counting..
so the first time i heard ANYTHING from this cd i was a little... Read more
so the first time i heard ANYTHING from this cd i was a little... Read more
Published on June 4, 2009 by Brian K. Dunleavy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautitful
If you don't like this album, you don't have a heart. It is touching and totally cohesive. Buy it now.
Published on March 24, 2009 by John M. Milner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blochead for life :)
This has to be bloc party getting comforatable, and tired of testing the waters. they jumped right in and are having a great swim, and don't look like they'll be drowning anytime... Read more
Published on March 20, 2009 by Sydney Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still A Fan
We are solid fans of Bloc Party. This CD is great, but has less of a dance feel that I prefer. I am still mostly fond of their earlier tracks.
Published on January 21, 2009 by D. Bercaw
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bloc Party keeps evolving, and for the better
Bloc Party's 2005 debut album "Silent Alarm" was almost universally hailed as an 'instant classic', which may or may not have been a good thing for the band. Read more
Published on January 1, 2009 by Paul Allaer
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