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|  |  | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Solid effort Jul 09, 2009 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." The opener, "Ares" is rather off putting. The song begins promisingly enough with a very distorted guitar before divulging in a shouty cheerleader-esque rhythm. The song then breaks into a "Blue Light" melody before dissipating completely into an intro for "Mercury."
The single "Mercury" reminds me somewhat of a David Bowie impersonator trying his hand at jungle, which is fine, if you're into that sort of thing. To me it's kind of retro, a bit monotonous and it sounds like album filler/fluff. In retrospect, as much as I did not like "Mercury," it still sounds a bit more polished than the opener. The track, "Halo" cannot come soon enough. It's like a respite in a sea of mediocrity. All blustery guitars, this song marks the return to form that Bloc Party so desperately needs. Then comes "Biko", which I was half suspecting to be a Peter Gabriel cover. Thankfully, it's not; it is more of a Bloc Party ballad, although it really wouldn't be out of a place on a Peter Gabriel album. Consider this your robotic, "Blue Light" moment complete with staccato drum machine beats.
The album then picks up again with; "Trojan Horse" which sounds like it could have been a b-side from "Silent Alarm Remixed." This track features an acidic guitar solo, which definitely benefits the claustrophobic dance beats. The next song, "Signs" is another slower song and features a chiming melody, which proves to be juxtaposition of what you have heard previously. It illustrates a lyric of longing and builds appropriately prepping you for the angry beats of "One Month Off."
The closers on this album begin with the operatic "Zepherus." "Zepherus" is oddly out of place after "One Month Off". Kele sings like he is surrounded by a group of dance floor angels for unrequited love, and it really does not fit well with what preceded it. "Better Than Heaven" follows as a stronger track. The themes of longing and anger seem to be building to a suitable closing. This track also marks the return of much needed guitar to break up the dance beats that have dominated this album. "Ion Square" segues back to familiar territory and winds the album to a close with a melancholy keyboard based melody.
Overall, I applaud Bloc Party for attempting new sounds. I'm also grateful this album is not as maudlin as "A Weekend In The City." The band sounds reinvigorated, and out of the sophomore slump phase of their career. If I could give this album a grade, I'd say it would be a "B". Hopefully these songs translate well live, as that is where I would like to see them next.
Bloc party does it again!! Jun 04, 2009 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 shocked.
"mercury" was like anything i had ever heard from them!
but, i bought the album, after all it is BLOC PARTY.
the album starts off on a aqward note. "ares" and "mercury" dont really do it for me like the rest of the album. but "halo" is sick! they really have a sense of rythym. the band is really showing how they have grown. all the instruements flow together, its a sonic lullaby of sorts.
this band is truely monumental, i can recomend this album any higher.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Beautitful Mar 25, 2009 If you don't like this album, you don't have a heart. It is touching and totally cohesive. Buy it now.
Blochead for life :) Mar 21, 2009 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 soon. great stuff in this album, they covered every mood in this album. they have new styles in this, but what's new? they will never stick to a style, they've made their own, and you all should love it. Kudos Kudos Kudos Bloc!
Still A Fan Jan 21, 2009 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.
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