It’s hard to believe it was 13 years ago, in February 2005 – four Londoners dropped an album that would help change the indie scene. Bloc Party manged to strike at the perfect moment as the onslaught of indie guitar bands were at breaking point, they arrived as a refreshing alternative to the Strokes and Libertines.
Lyrically quite brilliant, and even though the band could almost be touted as Indie disco, this album is at times emotionally pensive with themes of love, loss, and the mundane occurrences of everyday life. However, lead Kele Okereke lyrics are brilliant throughout, with tracks This Modern Love, Price of Gasoline and So Here We Are showcasing all his wordy melancholy talent.
Okereke’s wordplay is enhanced by the brilliant musicianship of Russell Lissack, Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, the band had a team of strong recognisable players bouncing off each other – throughout the duration of Silent Alarm. The use of feedback and pedals thought the album made it stand out and this is encapsulated during fan favourites Banquet and Helicopter. Both fantastic indie tunes that are still played religiously at Indie nights across the UK today. Helicopter in particular – a political 00’s swipe at George Bush’s War on Terror – “just like his dad – the same mistakes” came Kele’s vocal response to the US’s return to war in Iraq. Banquet is beautifully tight and energetic with standout riffs, soulful lyrics and tremendous drumming making it the best song on the album.
A confident and infectious debut was followed by the equally impressive Weekend in the City, however the band never managed to reach the same heights with future releases – possibly as they seemed to discard the excitement and veracity for a more experimental sound later down the line. Silent Alarm was an opening statement that they never manage to live up to. The album was NME’s 2005 album beating off the Arcade Fire’s Funeral, but never managed to get the recognition it demanded during its debut year from other critics. "So Underrated" yes, Kele was right all along.
Words: Stewart Ryan
The Band are still going strong today, however Moakes and Tong left the band in 2013 and 2015 with their replacements failing to re-create that unique Bloc Party sound. The new line-up tour this very album in Europe thought October. Information and tickets available here
Comments