Silent Alarm [Extra tracks, Import]

Bloc Party | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: V2 Japan
• ASIN: B0006OR288
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,585 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Like Eating Glass

2. Helicopter

3. Positive Tension

4. Banquet

5. Blue Light

6. She's Hearing Voices

7. This Modern Love

8. The Pioneers

9. Price of Gasoline

10. So Here We Are

11. Luno

12. Plans

13. Compliments

14. So Here We Are [Four Tet Remix][*]

15. Plans [Mogwai Remix][*]

16. The Pioneers [M83 Remix][*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brilliant!, February 25, 2005

By 

Connie W. Sowa "Indie/Brit Rock enthusiast" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silent Alarm (Audio CD)

Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm is without a doubt a masterpiece. One of the best new bands to emerge from the UK alternative rock scene, post-punk Bloc Party create a stream of eloquent songs so good I swear they all seem to be potential singles. Even the "slower" songs are full of energy.

Bloc Party's strength lies in creating fast, funky rhythms with a punk feel. As a drummer, I know a good drummer when I see one and Matt Tong is a good drummer; his beats are all innovative and almost give the effect of a drum machine, they're so precise. Although I'll admit it took me a while to get used to Kele Okereke's very unique voice, after a few rotations on my cd player I really grew to like it. Both Kele and Russell Lissack are strong guitarists, and each song has a very distinct guitar line that will make you want to dance or at least nod your head until it feels like it will fall off. Gordon Moakes, the bassist, adds a lot of the funk to the band, providing steady yet fun beats that will get stuck in your head.

The best songs on this album are "Positive Tension," "Pioneers," "Plans," "Helicopter," "This Modern Love," and their debut single "Banquet." "Banquet" has been a huge dance hit in the UK this summer, and for good reason. "Plans" is the most haunting song on the album, and it is reminiscent of the creepiest songs on Radiohead's OK Computer; it's quite dark and saddening. "Helicopter" is just plain fun, while "Pioneers" is powerful and engaging. "This Modern Love" serves as something that I think sets Bloc Party apart: a slow song with gloomy lyrics but with quick drums. They're one of the only bands I've heard who can do that. "Positive Tension" is probably my personal favorite; it's smart and purposeful, fast and driven, enjoyable and danceable, and has an absolutely amazing guitar solo that makes me nod my head in the middle of class to it, since I can't get it out of my head! There's really no other word for it other than "cool." However, in the end it really is difficult to choose the "best" songs, as every song is astoundingly good and it all depends on what you personally like.

In the end, Bloc Party is a very talented, innovative new band with refreshing songs that have never been done before. This album is energetic and fun, and Bloc Party makes many statements throughout it without the listener even realizing they're doing it. I highly recommend this band if you're a fan of Brit rock/Indie guitar rock/Post-Punk; the bands Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Razorlight, the Killers, Radiohead, and Gang of Four; and are still mourning the devastating break-up of the Libertines. I guarantee that no matter what you listen to over the next few months, you'll keep turning back to this cd... that is if you ever take it out of your cd player long enough to listen to anything else.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bloc party anyone?, March 29, 2005

By 

lulubelle (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Alarm (Audio CD)

this albumn is sooooo good. from the first listen, i was hooked. please go out, buy it and enjoy!

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good., February 28, 2005

By 

Larry (Holland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Alarm (Audio CD)

Bloc Party got my attention when I read a review wich stated that if Franz Ferdinand enjoyes the big succes they do, there's no reason for Bloc Party to not be a similar commercial succes.

Though I do think the musical differences are too big to compare the two bands, they both share a common feature: a very good debut album, for Silent Alarm is indeed very good.

Singer Kele Okereke's voice sounds vaguely like a cross between The Cure's Robert Smith and Blur's Damon Albarn. Musicaly there's influences of probably every British band I've ever heard in my life.

But the first thing that comes to notice is the extremely tight rythem section. There's an inventive bass- and drum line in almost every song.

I'd say this is a very good (debut) album, and up 'till now it keeps getting better upon each listen.