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(Jun 19, 2005)
Bloc Party: Silent Alarm
Rating - ***
The Bloc Party page
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It would have been easy to miss Silent Alarm in the music store. First,
the name sounds like hip-hop. Second, it has the "Parental Advisory"
sticker on the front. I think it's undeserved - I think they maybe use
the F-word once or twice and that's it. Third, the CD cover is almost
completely white, shows no indication of what the band looks like, where
they're from, or what their musical style is. All those things team up to
make it a bit inaccessible.
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The music itself is pretty good, though. It seems to be part of a new genre
that began finding its voice in late 2004 and seems to be picking up steam. The
best examples of this genre are The Killers, Interpol, and now, Bloc Party. Since
they are all either from Britain or have British roots at the very least,
perhaps this is some sort of latter day British Invasion. I've lost count - would
this be the third, or fourth, or ...? Every time it happens, I think, jeez I
hope this is the last one, but once again I've been disappointed. Disappointed
not because the music is disappointing - just disappointed that once again, the
best music seems to be coming from offshore. What is it about growing up American
that kills creativity? Don't ask me-- what do I look like, a sociologist? It is
what it is.
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Getting back to Bloc Party, the music sounds like The Prodigy crossed
with The Cure. It doesn't quite have the soul that The Cure's music did,
but I suspect that Bloc Party may not have completely hit their stride yet. Their
website lists their first release as having been in February, 2004, only 16 months
ago. I can picture going to a Bloc Party concert a year from now and thinking, "Wow -
this music is nothing like my initial impression of it." Like it could sneak up on you.
The songs on Silent Alarm, however, have a solid techno foundation,
some interesting guitar work, strong vocals, and above average lyrics. There
are three tracks that stand out: "Like Eating Glass," "Positive Tension," and
"Blue Light." There are another three or four second tier songs that you
might enjoy, and the rest is just filler. Still, that's good by today's
standards. Reduced expectations make for a more enjoyable listening
experience-- if the CD has 3 truly good songs on it, it's a standout in 2005.
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