Bloc Party: Intimacy Review (Intimacy - Bloc Party)

Member Name: Yossarian22

Product:	Intimacy - Bloc Party
Date:	07/04/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lyrically amazing.

Disadvantages: Silent Alarm is slightly superior. Hardly a disadvantage, though.

Since 2005's debut album 'Silent Alarm' Bloc Party have been my favorite band, 2007 follow up 'A Weekend In The City' did nothing to deter this despite not being on par with the previous record, so it was with great excitement and fear when in August 2008 Bloc Party announced the release of third studio album 'Intimacy' adding to the bombshell they announced that Intimacy would be released digitally just three days later, with the physical format available a couple months later. Jointly produced by Paul Epworth and Jacknife Lee of the first two albums would this release signal a dilution of quality compared to previous albums? Or would this snap release show a band who are creatively further ahead then there peers?

--- Ares ---
Known as the Greek god of warfare Ares sees lead singer Kele ready for a fight belting out the words 'War War War War, I want to declare a war!" in record time, complimented with a heavy drum beat and squawking guitars the song barely stops for breathe. Unlike anything Bloc Party have ever done the track can be defined as somewhere in between a Dizzie Rascal song and the Chemical Brothers, raising the bar for the rest of the album.

--- Mercury ---
This was the lead single from the album and continues with the dance based theme stop gap single Flux had created. However, Mercury is a much more darker less friendly song that frantically builds towards a dramatic crescendo with huge beats that is a sheer delight on the senses, this song was made for the dancefloor.

--- Halo ---
A more traditional Bloc Party track then the previous two songs and a now live favorite. Without losing any of momentum of the previous two songs Halo focusses more on guitar riffs then the electric side. This is a song that wouldn't be lost on 'Silent Alarm.'

--- Biko ---
A heartbreaking song that appears to be written about someone close to the band suffering from cancer. The anguished lyrics of 'Was my love not strong enough to, bring you back from the dead if I could eat your cancer I would, but I can't." shows the band lyrically at there best.

--- Trojan Horse ---
Merging both electronic and guitar based elements Trojan Horse has become a favorite to many Bloc Party fans. Starting with a muffly repetitive beat and a catchy chorus the song concludes with an epic guitar rift that will have you tapping your foot and nodding your head in sync.

--- Signs ---
This was the first song I fell in love with on the album and could possibly be my favorite Bloc Party song (depends what mood I'm in). The song opens with Gordon on the glockenspiel with nearly a minute passing before the first words are spoken. Possibly tying in with Biko the song deals with the death of someone close as Kele brings the song to a close with the wonderful lyrics.. "I see signs now all the time, that your not dead your sleeping. I believe in anything, that brings me back home to you." Ironically the song has been remixed into a dance song and is set to released soon.

--- One Month Off ---
This was the third single released from Intimacy and is a corker of a song. Kele sings the song with a certain anger and intensity repeating the words "I can be as cruel as you" over and over before the electronic elements take over the song bringing it to an anthem style close.

--- Zephyrus ---
More new ground for the band as Zephyrus sees the band head into another direction. Backed with a choir and a heavy drum and bass influence the song is one of the strongest on the album, just a shame it'll probably never see a live audience.

--- Talons ---
Originally left out of the digital release of the album Talons is the second single of Intimacy. Menacing and angry Kele is once again at his finest here as the song ranges from the slow 'Signs' to the earlier intensity of 'One Month Off' perfectly.

--- Better Than Heaven ---
Opening with the lyrics "What's with all this doom and gloom?" it seems the band take a possible swipe at previous album "A Weekend In The City" cue bible quotations and possibly the finest closing sequence in the whole record as the drums, synths and guitars seem to be played at the fastest speed possible.

--- Ion Square ---
Easily Bloc Party's finest closing song on any album Ion Square defines what Intimacy is all about. Although repetitive the song is a grower and is lyrically one of the strongest on the album and causes an almost fist in the air finish.


For me this was the album of 2008 as Intimacy sees a band continue to evolve and try new things with the influence of bands such as Bjork, Justice and Sonic Youth all apparent. Lyrically superior to it's previous albums Intimacy finally sees lead singer Kele write about his personal life. While superior to 'A Weekend In The City' the album just falls short of topping the magnificent 'Silent Alarm' although picking up the deluxe edition of Intimacy with 'Letter To My Son' only closes this gap. A must have purchase if your a fan of Bloc Party and well worth taking a risk on if your feeling a little bit bored of the music scene at the minute.

10/10

Get These Tracks:
Signs
Better Than Heaven
One Month Off

Summary: Essential for any Bloc Party fan and for anyone who feel like taking a risk on some new music