Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Brilliant, April 30, 2005
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.
If I may go off on a side tangent for a moment....Upon having a chance to see the band live in DC, I took it... and wasn't disappointed in the slightest. They're even better live than on record, so I'd highly recommend seeing them if you ever get a chance.
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.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Personal Favorite Album of '05, July 10, 2006
Bloc Party has a unique style of music that I personly find very amusing. When the singer hits some chords that I've never heard before It sends shivers down my spine everytime I hear them. Hear is a list of tracks and ratings:
1. Like Eating Glass- 4.5/5-A very catchy good song with good lyrics, but the drums are a little off in the song.
2. Helicopter- 5/5-My favorite and a lot of other peoples favorite song too. Simple chorus, great guitar, great vocals.
3. Positive Tension- 4/5-Beginning is a little rought but once the song gets going it makes you tap your toes.
4. Banquet- 5/5-Most popular song, a lot like helicopter awesome lyrics.
5. Blue Light- 4.5/5-First slow song but a very good one. When he starts going fast, it is one of my favorite moments on the cd.
6. She's Hearing Voices- 4/5- The chorus gets a little anoying and the voice is rasping but it is catchy at the same time.
7. This Modern Love- 5/5-One of my favorite songs one the cd."You told me you wanted to eat up my sadness" is a great line.
8. Pioneers- 5/5-Best vocals on entire album. I get goosbumbs every time I listen to it. This is the song I show people who don't know about about Bloc Party.
9. Price of Gas- 5/5-The best drummed song on the cd. Has almost a scary feel to it. Great song.
10. So Here We Are- 4.5/5- You may recognize it from the Saturn commercial. Very slow but repetitive. Still a good song.
11. Luno- 4/5-Not my favorite song but quick song, catchy, decent lyrics.
12. Plans- 5/5- One of my favorite song on the cd but not others. I think the lyrics are spectacular and his vocals are really on display. This also has a scary feel to it.
13. Compliments- 4.5/5- Very slow... a song to sit back and just close your eyes and listen to. Guitar is exceptional.
Overall it is a great albulm with just a few issues with recording but I truly think you will enjoy just as I have and I think that future BP albums will be good as well.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Rock your Bloc Off", June 21, 2005
source: www.alternativemalta.com
Probably the most defining moment in Bloc Party's debut album "Silent Alarm" is 1:37 into the song `Positive Tension' where frontman Kele Okereke belts out `something glorious is about to happen'. Whether it refers to his band or not, this is the general feeling of this album.
Ever since I heard the single `Banquet' (also reviewed on this website) back in May 2004 I knew that this band would go places and I was right.
Magazine coverage, mentioned by other bands, being slagged by Liam Gallagher, and now I read that Death From Above 1979 are going to cover `Luno' as well - respect.
Now when I review an album I always give the band a chance. I listen to the CD constantly until it sinks but in the case of `Silent Alarm' I've listening to it since its release date in February, just to make sure that the album will stick through the hype that the band is receiving. Now that its May 2005 I can safely say that this album is no flash in the pan but fully lives up to the attention that this wonderful London four piece is getting.
In fact `Silent Alarm actually surprises at some points, as there are `tender songs' (`Blue Light'), electronic bits (check out the sound effects in opener `Like Eating Glass') and their trademark spiky sound (third single `Helicopter' and `Price of Gasoline' - a Gang of Four reference?). So yes, there is variety for the listener, and those uninitiated to Bloc Party's b-sides may even be shocked that the band is so versatile.
As a lyricist Okereke likes to state that Bloc Party (as their name suggests) have a political agenda, but there is their soft side where songs about love do battle. So for every `The Pioneers' (if it can be lost it can be won ... go stick your bloody head in the jaws of the beast) there is a `This Modern Love' (what a beautiful song!) cropping up.
Alas "Silent Alarm is not a perfect album. It is two tracks too long, and maybe their earliest recording `She's Hearing Voices' is now out of place. However it is a near perfect album, and for a debut these are just some minor blips that will be ironed out come album two.
One thing which is on Bloc Party's side is their blinding ambition which sears through the duration of "Silent Alarm" and which frankly I haven't really heard since Radiohead's sophmore album `The Bends'. Actually Bloc Party are one step better for they nailed it on the first try.
Along with the new crop of English post-punkers namely Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads, Bloc Party have made their mark upon music. I also have the feeling that these guys may move to bigger pastures in the near future and that their masterpiece is in the making. Really don't be a fool like me and worry about crap like this. "Silent Alarm" is as good as good can get, and trust me, for something so silent it is definitely being heard in many, many places.
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An Amazon.com Best of 2005 selection.
by Bloc Party 
