Hipsters everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Just as they’re getting bored with the dance-rock of Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party is ready to take its place.
Bloc Party has been hailed in the British and American press alike as the next big thing, and while the hype around this South London quartet is a bit excessive, the band nonetheless deserves acclaim. Its debut album, Silent Alarm, is catchy, propulsive and energetic, bordering on manic. You can hear echoes of The Cure, Gang of Four and Joy Division, but the album never feels derivative. Bloc Party edges out most of the competition with its attention to detail and its creativity in interpreting its influences.
The band’s key strength lies in its fantastic rhythm section. Drummer Matt Tong displays an astonishing range of ability, from the in-your-face rock beats of “Price of Gas” and “Helicopter” to the softer, disco-influenced rhythm of “So Here We Are.” No less impressive is bassist Gordon Moakes, who does double duty as the vocal counterpoint to lead singer Kele Okereke. Moakes and Tong mesh perfectly, as heard in the amazing intro and breakdown to “Positive Tension,” and they match Okereke’s inspired shouting well.
Okereke’s agile, throaty croon is unique, with a hint of a Cockney accent. On album highlight “This Modern Love” he and Moakes go back and forth, as their different vocal styles play off each other and the music.
Silent Alarm is certainly well produced: every hook and stop seems like it was recorded and re-recorded until it was perfect. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the record sags slightly under the weight of its sometimes synthetic feel, especially on “She’s Hearing Voices.” Nonetheless, Bloc Party has put out a remarkably solid album and really are the hot band to watch.
