So as an awkward teenager in the mid to late 2000’s I was definitely within the Bloc Party demographic, a band which seemed to be for people who were trying to fight their inner nerd, didn’t enjoy the sexual ambiguity that came with the life of an ‘emo’ or just felt uncomfortable in their own skin. Now don’t get me wrong, I know a whole load of folks who don’t fit any of those descriptions but are still fans. Still, you don’t have to be from the American South to own a pickup displaying the confederate flag but it just seems right, far right.
For the past couple of years Bloc party have been on hiatus, enjoying side projects aplenty until getting back together to release the nautically named new number ‘Octopus’ on July 10th. It’s unmistakeably a Bloc Party sound though they seemed to have subbed out some of their angst for confidence; the sound is less apologetic and seems more akin to ‘One More Chance’ than the earliest albums. This said the fast paced tight urgency of ‘Silent Alarm’ is still there and Kele seems more comfortable in his voice which when added to the frenetic almost 16-bit guitar sound (complete with unlikely solo) makes this song like a bucket of cold water to the face, a kick to the shin and ten cans of high caffeine energy drink - in the best possible way.
It’s an impressive return for Bloc Party and there’s a lot of life in the song, maybe not cheerfulness, especially not in the lyrics, however there’s a strong drive throughout bringing with it high hopes for the album. Which since there are four members in Bloc Party, it’s their fourth album out and the Olympics has copyrighted the concept of five, is called, oh you guessed it, 'Four' and it's out August 20th.
Also check out their website www.blocparty.com it could be the second best one on the internet, after Stereoboard of course.
Fri October 12th 2012 - O2 Academy Newcastle, Newcastle
Sat October 13th 2012 - O2 Academy Leeds, Leeds
Sun October 14th 2012 - O2 Academy Glasgow, Glasgow
Mon October 15th 2012 - O2 Academy Birmingham, Birmingham
Wed October 17th 2012 - Southampton Guildhall, Southampton
Thu October 18th 2012 - O2 Academy Bristol, Bristol
Fri October 19th 2012 - The Warehouse Project, Manchester
Sat October 20th 2012 - Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge
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So as an awkward teenager in the mid to late 2000’s I was definitely within the Bloc Party demographic, a band which seemed to be for people who were trying to fight their inner nerd, didn’t enjoy the sexual ambiguity that came with the life of an ‘emo’ or just felt uncomfortable in their own skin. Now don’t get me wrong, I know a whole load of folks who don’t fit any of those descriptions but are still fans. Still, you don’t have to be from the American South to own a pickup displaying the confederate flag but it just seems right, far right.
