Absolute Radio: Discover real music

First I have to say that I am no fan of the current crop of indie dirge that afflicts my ears on a daily basis. Quite frankly, most of the tosh out there is the musical equivalent to flat-lining. Having grown up in the grunge years and being a massive Nirvana fan, I am used to passion and anger in my music, not musicians merely going through the motions. Consequently, I was a little apprehensive when I picked up my first Block Party album.

Silent Alarm completely confounded my expectations. This didn't sound like average indie banality, this sounded different. When Weekend.... came out I didn't hesitate to add it to my collection. I am so glad I did. I actually think it is superior to Silent Alarm in many respects. Although there are some trite lyrics, you can feel a great deal more passion coming from this album than from most of their contemporaries. Why oh why do Kaiser Chiefs et al get so much press when Block Party wipe the floor with them? Who knows, it is one of life's great mysteries.

As for the songs, I love Song for Clay, Hunting for Witches, Uniform and Where is Home? Every single one is far superior to other indie bands. Forget your Kaisers, have a Block Party instead!

Rating: 5 out of 5

When I 1st listened to this, I was very unsure. But a couple days later - I had done nothing but listen to it!
I find that Bloc Party are one band I can never seem to get enough of - certainly their albums are amongst my most played (which includes Sigur Ros, Morrisey, The Smiths, Interpol)
Their ablity to produce catchy tunes, and tunes that you just do not get bored with, amazes me! If only other bands could take a note!
Its a shame these guys are tarnished with the NME brush - as they stand head and shoulders above anything that proudly wears that label - including the artic monkeys and oasis (both contenders for most over-rated band I feel)
This album is not all mind blowing brillience - there is electronic influence in it (which I dont mind, personally) but I dont think there is a Bad track on it. In the same way that there are certainly stand out tracks on Silent Alarm - you still wont object to listening to it all.
Better than Silent Alarm - it could be.


Rating: 4 out of 5

"Spend all your spare time trying to escape
With crosswords and Sudoku"

C'mon, Kele, lad, even you can do better than this. This isn't a blind attack on hype either (I still quite like Silent Alarm) but A Weekend in the City is overly serious and verging on unlistenable; a few electronic effects and more "mature" lyrics doesn't necessarily equal progression, and this is that displayed expertly in 50 minutes. I do quite like the Prefuse 73-esque, stuttered and chopped vocal intro of "Hunting for Witches", although such moments are rare. Next time don't try so hard, yeah?

Rating: 1 out of 5

the only problem with this album is that when i listened to it for the first time i knew no-one would get it, and it seems that my fears were sadly confirmed. people want another silent alarm and it was never going to come. there was only one way after the excellent (but limited) silent alarm, and that was up (or down depending on how you look at it). i mean that they were only going to start taking the radiohead route and start making albums that (instead of being instantly likeable and thus easy to get bored of) took a few listens before you start liking every song, that is to say not just 'the prayer' and 'hunting for witches'. for example, when i first got this album I only listened to the instantly likeable 'song for clay' 'hunting for witches and 'the prayer'....but. eventually i thought "hmmm...im not quite getting my money's worth here, maybe i should force myself to listen to the songs of which i didnt quite know what to think at first". i have to say, upon listening to the sublime 'SRXT' and 'Kreuzberg' (two songs that are in roughly the same vien) i knew this would be one of my favourite albums to come out in a long time. the lyrics, while people may consider face-value and simplistic, are a welcome change after the pointless archaic ramblings of silent alarm. i defy anyone to tell me what the hell 'like eating glass' is about for example.
here is a review of each song in order because thats the sort of review i like.
Song for Clay (Disappear Here): Amazing, this song is so well constructed its unbelievable, the main riff is menacing and jagged and the breakdown in the middle (east london is a vampire) sends shivers down my spine every time.
Hunting for Witches: Very simplistic in all respects, the lyrics are somewhat clumsy and blatant and the chords are the age old sort that every band uses at some point...but effective nonetheless. the songs main good qualities are its jerky rhythms and top-notch production. well constructed and effective despite its simplicity. could have come quite happily from silent alarm
Waiting for the 7:18: this song is very sweet and close to home. the drum machine is very well used and the nostalgic chorus (just give me moments, not hours or days) is very nice. this is one of those instantly likeable songs that can get a bit boring after repeated listens but always worth a listen in certain moods
The Prayer: im actually very bored of this song. its a great song but i know if i bother reviewing it it will only come out negative so i wont bother (everyone knows it anyway!).
Uniform: this song is possibly the best song on the album, magnificently structured, angular and the lyrics are anthemic for a teenager like myself as they deal with issues that everyone's constantly griping about. how youth culture is consumed by people trying to look and act different and eventually everyone looks and acts the same. the backing vocals are inspired, its almost like a modern day bohemian rhapsody. the intro is beautiful as well.
On: this one definately takes a few listens to like. but is very catchy in the end. the instrumentation is a little wierd but the vocals are very distinctive and the quirky time signitures create interest. the lyrics arent great in places but it doesnt really matter. its one of those songs where the lyrics are pretty inconsequencial, they're just there because they have to.
Where is Home?: another album highlight, absolutely incredible. takes a few listens but it is worth it. you can hear the anger (and hopelessness) in kele's voice when he sings this and the intro is positively chilling. one of the best anti-racism songs ive ever heard. the lyrics are the best on the album.
Kreuzberg: this song is a beautiful, poignant song about kele's feelings of confusion and frustration exploring his sexuality (after sex, the bitter taste, been fooled again, the search continues). the music sounds quite ironically victorious.
I Still Remember: this song is quite touching lyrically. when i read the lyrics i expected a ballad but its more of a sort of radio-friendly pop song. not a home run but still quite good. the melodies are satisfying but it all gets a bit tedious after a while. somewhat disappointing but no album is perfect, especially not nowadays.
Sunday: i mostly skip this song, it never really grabbed me even after repeated listens. i thought the album might have become a bit inconsistent at this point but there was one very nice surprise to come...
SRXT: this song is absolutely breathtaking, i have not heard a better song in a long time. i allowed myself a little chuckle when i read one review that seemed to think it was about suicide. i'll admit to the casual listener some lyrics might suggest that but if you actually read the lyrics it is undoubtably about kele's struggle with people who wont accept his sexuality, even perhaps his own mother (tell my mother i am sorry and i loved her). but lines like 'i called up eugene, told him i was drowning' 'they say its not becoming for a boy my age' and 'being a man made me coarse when i wanted to be delicate' should seal anyones decision that it is not ABOUT suicide. i should think that lyrics about suicide are probably below lyricists like kele, i mean face it, no-one who is serious about music will not write stupid songs about killing themselves like papa roach or hawthorne heights or other ridiculous bands like that. i have to say that the honesty of this song brings me close to tears. the loud mid-section is positively epic and the final lines are so touching anyone with any sort of heart should be affected by this song.
.......
anyway, if i were to compare this album to silent alarm (which, in its own right, is an amazing album) i would say that this album is like a red wine or a single malt whiskey, an aquired taste. silent alarm is more like shandy or lambrini, asthetically pleasing to start but drink too much too often and you will grow bored of the taste and want to go out and seek something a bit more interesting.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Bloc Party's second album picks up where Silent alarm left off. It opens with the thunderous Song for Clay: a song that starts quietly but soon kicks in with a massive guitar line. Resist the temptation to turn up your MP3 player to full: it will make you jump out of your skin! The second track is a more accessible loud one: a great one for jumping around to. The next highlight is The Prayer, a brave choice for a single. If you don't like it at first, it soon grows on you. Uniform, is a solid performance but its not earthshattering. And so it goes on... And that's why it doesn't achieve the full 5 stars.

Later highlights inlcude I still remember, the opening of which reminds me of something from the 80s. SRXT is this album's epic track and a good closer.



Rating: 4 out of 5