Londoners Bloc Party have well and truly arrived, folks. It's official! And to prove it their debut album Silent Alarm (Witchita Records) is currently sitting at Number 3 in the charts. Not bad going for a band whose rise has been little short of meteoric.
"We're aware of the so-called expectations, but we've never really given too much credence to that stuff..."
- bassist Gordon Moakes |
"It hasn't really sunk in yet. Hopefully we won't peak too soon! But obviously it's great news for everyone involved," bassist Gordon Moakes told me when the Blocheads popped into my Saturday radio show. "Ever since we got signed we've been a full-time working band, and it's been getting steadily busier and busier but certainly it's got a lot more intense over the last month or so," he continued.
With a clutch of music periodicals tipping them as "the band most likely to in 2005", were they feeling any pressure to deliver? "Not really. We're aware of the so-called expectations, but we've never really given too much credence to that stuff and we're trying to remain focused and write new material." winning grooves Formed in and around the East End, Bloc Party seem to be managing their time in the spotlight. That may well be because the meat and potatoes, so to speak, of this outfit are firmly about the music.  | The band's debut album is a collection that grows and ultimately impresses |
"We've tried to make an album as diverse as possible without compromising the fact that it should be listened to as a whole. In the mode of all great records, I guess. Not to say WE think it's great, but we are proud of it!" enthused drummer Matt Tong.
Along with guitarists Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, the four bring a bunch of different influences to their collective melting pot, as the album testifies. From the jerky, scratchy, winning grooves of songs 'Like Eating Glass' and the current single 'So Here We Are' through to the more sombre, haunting-sounding 'Blue Light', Silent Alarm is a collection that grows and ultimately impresses. One Party, without question, to keep an eye and ear out for this year. more music
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