Bloc Party fans have awaited the arrival of Intimacy, the band's third studio LP, with a ... more
mix of excitement and trepidation. Where their debut Silent Alarm (produced by Paul Epworth) was universally touted as a modern classic, 2007's follow up A Weekend in the City, produced by Jacknife Lee, was equally flamboyant yet patchier. Intimacy is helmed by both Lee and Epworth and the brittle contours, mish-mash of influences and semi-awkward lyrics are quintessential Bloc Party. Mixing up everything from micro-house and dub-step to indie rock and electro pop, there's a willful energy here reminiscent of the band's debut, though the spikier elements remind more of AWITC. Opening cut "Ares" sets out the band's stall with a bombastic brew of high-energy drums, preening guitars and urgent sirens, while upbeat lead single "Mercury," employs a quirky astrological motif. These prove to be the most charged tracks on the record as elsewhere the band indulge in choral-chanting and strings ("Zephyrus"), angsty art-rock ("Halo") and a surprisingly uplifting finale in the shape of "Ion Square". Intimacy, as we should have guessed, is predictably unpredictable: knowingly difficult, defiantly angular yet eminently likeable. --Danny McKenna
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Bloc Party's ground-breaking third album, Intimacy, has beenremixed by a selection of ... more
guest artists, including Armand VanHelden, and frontman Kele Okereke's musical heroes Mogwai. Thefirst single will be Armand Van Helden's remix of 'Signs'. The'Phones RIP' remix of 'Talons' is also the last time producer PaulEpworth will use the 'Phones' moniker, the first time being a remixof the Bloc Party song 'Banquet'.
Bloc Party fans have awaited the arrival of Intimacy, the band's third studio LP, with a ... more
mix of excitement and trepidation. Where their debut Silent Alarm (produced by Paul Epworth) was universally touted as a modern classic, 2007's follow up A Weekend in the City, produced by Jacknife Lee, was equally flamboyant yet patchier. Intimacy is helmed by both Lee and Epworth and the brittle contours, mish-mash of influences and semi-awkward lyrics are quintessential Bloc Party. Mixing up everything from micro-house and dub-step to indie rock and electro pop, there's a willful energy here reminiscent of the band's debut, though the spikier elements remind more of AWITC. Opening cut "Ares" sets out the band's stall with a bombastic brew of high-energy drums, preening guitars and urgent sirens, while upbeat lead single "Mercury," employs a quirky astrological motif. These prove to be the most charged tracks on the record as elsewhere the band indulge in choral-chanting and strings ("Zephyrus"), angsty art-rock ("Halo") and a surprisingly uplifting finale in the shape of "Ion Square". Intimacy, as we should have guessed, is predictably unpredictable: knowingly difficult, defiantly angular yet eminently likeable. --Danny McKenna
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: A new direction and a very well made album Disadvantages: -
Having met and formed the band in 1999 at Reading Festival it's fair to say that BlocParty have come a long way in the last 10 years. Last year saw the band release their third studio album Intimacy with the hope that it would continue the success they were already enjoying. The band had secured themselves a place amongst the leading British acts with the previous 2 albums and this album seemed like a slight change of direction and trying something a little different, whilst not alienating the fans they'd already gained.
The album itself came about in a rather strange way. When the first single "Mercury" was released in August there wasn't any release details for a future album. A few days later however the band unveiled details of a completed album and 10 tracks were made available within 60 hours as a special edition download ...
Advantages: Some great Bloc Party tracks reminiscent of their debut Disadvantages: Quality dips down about half way - spoils the album
I absolutely loved BlocParty?s debut album ? Silent Alarm. Every track was so original, well thought out and brought about an exciting new type of Indie music that didn?t feel sorry for its self and just wanted to have a good time. Listening to the second release ?A Weekend in the City? I just didn?t get the same feeling. Maybe the band tried to be too different all at once. For me it just felt rushed and was riding on the success of Silent Alarm far too much. It lacked the fresh faced enthusiasm that SA did so well.
When I first played Intimacy, I wanted that Silent Alarm feeling back again. I wanted to hear a band that had truly remained in love with music and wanted to create something exciting again.
Ares ? 3/5
An excitable and ?highly charged? start to the album. This track features heavily distorted vocals in ...
Advantages: Lyrically and vocally compelling.Sounds bit like Joy Division, Sonic Youth, The Cure and such like Disadvantages: The vocals can sometimes bit a bit shouty and musically they aren't that impressive or different.
Although I really dont like BlocParty, I can appreciate this album on its merits. It's weighty with influences from much better bands like Joy Division, Sonic Youth and The Cure and therefore feels familiar and ok to listen to.
The east london art-punkers definitely have a charming and down to earth feel both in their vocals and their lyrics. Songs like 'Like eating glass' and 'This modern love' earn this album the respect that I think it does deserves above other bands in their league like Franz Ferdinand and Hard-Fi.
Lyrically and musically 'This modern love' puts them in the same league as great bands like The Rakes that still manage to say something new when so many things have been said and done before.
To summarize, there is something sincere and convincing about this band lyrically and vocally and if like me you dont ...
Product Information for "Intimacy (Remixed) - Bloc Party" »
Product details
Title
Intimacy (Remixed)
Performer
Bloc Party
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
11/05/2009
Original Release Year
2009
Label / Distributor
Wichita / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
5055036262101
Catalogue Number
3626210
Additional notes
Album Notes
Bloc Party's ground-breaking third album, Intimacy, has been remixed by a selection of guest artists, including Armand Van Helden, and frontman Kele Okereke's musical heroes Mogwai. The first single will be Armand Van Helden's remix of 'Signs'. The 'Phones RIP' remix of 'Talons' is also the last time producer Paul Epworth will use the 'Phones' moniker, the first time being a remix of the Bloc Party song 'Banquet'.
Titles on disc 1
1.
Ares (Villains remix)
2.
Mercury (Herve is in disarray remix)
3.
Halo (We Have Band dub)
4.
Biko (Mogwai remix)
5.
Trojan Horse (John B remix)
6.
Signs (Armand Van Helden remix)
7.
One Month Off ((Filthy Dukes remix/vocal))
8.
Zephyrus (Phase One remix)
9.
Talons (Phones RIP mix)
10.
Better Than Heaven (No Age remix)
11.
Ion Square (Banjo Or Freakout remix)
12.
Letter To My Son (Gold Panda remix)
13.
Your Visits Are Getting Shorter (Double D remix)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
29/05/2009
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