Search - Bloc Party :: Intimacy

I carry your heart here with me

Zachary Heuer | Columbus, OH | 10/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.

"

A band in flux...

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 10/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard their one-off single, the electro/dance rock "Flux" last year, I half hoped there would be more of the same on their next CD. "Intimacy" is the third CD from UK Alternative Rock quartet Bloc Party and artistically, it strides the balance between their debut and sophomore discs. It took me a while to get into it but it's since joined their debut as my joint favourite.



The lovely glitchy ballad "Biko" finds lead singer Kele Okereke displaying his Nigerian heritage as he laments the death of a loved one. "Biko" is "Please" in Igbo. "Zepherus" has a halting beat and haunting harmonies against a spare electro backdrop. The other ballad is the tinkling "Signs" with swirling synth effects.



"Halo" is a catchy blistering upbeat rocker (with a drumkit demolishing beat),as is the similar "One month off", while the static/distorted sounding "Trojan horse" finds Okereke singing lyrics of regret.



Every song really is a standout; from the bouncy Cure-channeling "Better than heaven", "Ion square", the hard rocking "Talons", and the spare beat-heavy pair of "Ares" and "Mercury" which sound like Kele and the lads have been listening to a lot of the Chemical Brothers.



What more can I say? I love it!!!"

Another Step in Bloc Party's Evolution

Seth Ford | Clearwater, FL USA | 11/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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)"