I'd pay for music this good any time.
Silent Alarm's not 100% filler-free - the forgettable 'So Here We Are' could have slipped out the back with little protest - but the autonomy, creativity and sheer, elastic beauty that spans this debut more than justifies the rapidly accelerating hype that Bloc Party are currently generating.
Varied in tone and stylistically uncategorisable, one thing is clear about Bloc Party’s debut album: it’s bloody brilliant.
Silent Alarm is dance rock, but highly caffeinated.
Although it wouldn't hurt if there were more "party" (the celebratory kind, not the political one) in Silent Alarm, it's still a fine debut album with a lot of passion and polish; it's hard not to respect, if not fully embrace, the intensity and integrity of Bloc Party's music.
Removing the formulae and sensual stimuli from the Party leaves little that’s substantive or innovative. Even the most cursory of examinations would show the group to be an “it” band and not much else. However, Bloc Party’s absurdly good at being an “it” on Silent Alarm.
Only briefly and intermittently does Silent Alarm play it safe (the unspectacular tracks "Plans", "Blue Light", and single "Banquet"), but its engaging flow is never derailed.
Silent Alarm's innovation, sense of urgency and sleek production are enough to comfortably elevate Bloc Party above the post-punk rabble.
Ambitious in scope and abundantly stocked with viral melody, Silent Alarm is hugely impressive--flawed certainly ... but nonetheless blessed with outbreaks of great flair.
Discovering more punk and hardcore music recently has helped me really appreciate the small, but crucial details that set Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm" apart. The execution of this style is rarely flashy, but about as tight as something you could ever expect from it.
The sound is so consistently rich. It rarely feels like I spend any time outside of the space this album creates. It is a constant goldmine of indie aesthetic perfection.
If I had one complaint, it plays into this ... read more
I have seen this album described as sounding like 'Pixies having a knife fight with Blur on Brighton beach' and after presenting that simile I don't even feel the need to describe Silent Alarm in any further detail.
So sweet yet so street. This was Bloc Party at their best. Kele Okereke's obscurely substantial lyricism, his searing and impassioned vocal emotion. The brilliant guitar and bass work which could boast both crunching rock riffage and tender ambient melody. And of course the mental ... read more
Silent Alarm continues to be one of my personal favorite records of the 2000's. The atmospheric and punchier tone of this album is perfectly executed on the guitars and drums, the vocals are performed in such a passionate and bright tone that keeps me engaged on every track. It's a memorable debut that holds a nostalgic factor for me.
Everytime I came back to this I've liked it even more over the years. The singing is passionate and heartfelt, the lyrics are great and the production is quality aswell.
Like drinking poison, Like eating glass
Like drinking poison, Like eating glass
Bloc Party's debut album is pretty damn good. I don't know a lot about Bloc Party, but regardless, 'Silent Alarm' turned out to be an amazing example of Indie Rock mixed with Post-Punk. The album's sound creates a feeling like The Strokes went outside for a walk and accidentally recorded some songs in the Central Park. Distorted bass is another reason why I liked the album that much, because its appearance always ... read more
1 | Like Eating Glass 4:20 | 93 |
2 | Helicopter 3:40 | 95 |
3 | Positive Tension 3:54 | 88 |
4 | Banquet 3:16 | 92 |
5 | Blue Light 2:46 | 82 |
6 | She's Hearing Voices 3:29 | 83 |
7 | This Modern Love 4:25 | 89 |
8 | The Pioneers 3:35 | 83 |
9 | Price of Gasoline 4:19 | 80 |
10 | So Here We Are 3:52 | 89 |
11 | Luno 3:55 | 87 |
12 | Plans 4:09 | 81 |
13 | Compliments 4:38 | 85 |
#1 | / | NME |
#3 | / | Gigwise |
#6 | / | SPIN |
#11 | / | No Ripcord |
#33 | / | Pitchfork |