| Friday, January 26, 2007 |
| MOTW #3: Bloc Party - 'Plans' |
Bloc Party is a British indie rock / post-punk / new wave band with art-rock indulgences that carry a sense of urgency, with its boundless energy and sharp playing style. Post-dance-punk, maybe? Pulsating basslines, tricky time signatures. All packaged in sleek production, with pop hooks and a great sense of melody. They rose to much critical acclaim following their debut titled "Silent Alarm", a record I've tirelessly enjoyed. Their British-ness comes through in that eccentric-yet-classy style. The drumming seems influenced by London's famed dance and R'n'B scene.
"Plans" may not be the best song on the record, but I love it, and it makes for a good introduction to the band. It's subtle in the way it builds, aided by that effective synth touch, and before you realize it, you're riding the crest of a soaring guitar solo that's elaborate yet not pretentious. Little details like the phone ringing in the background (which you won't notice until the 99th listen) should please Switchfoot fans, as those easily-missable details are our boys' forte, too. This is one of those songs that, when it ends, leaves you disappointed that it didn't last longer.
It's more than just an added bonus that Bloc Party's lyrics are not just for the sake of it - they're well thought out, and give you something worthwhile to take home. It rises above the pseudo-intellectualism and misdirected angst of its peers with, well, PopMatters said it well:
...Silent Alarm is "a voice in the darkness, a knock at the door" ... in its arm waving and attention getting, [its] telling us [that] there are unconscionable perils in trying to fix a world that doesn't want to be fixed. The ambition demanded by such a task can lead to overindulgence and failure. This world ain't just m-m-m-made of facts. "Silent Alarm"'s world is our world, populated with paranoia and a false sense of security, where deceptions and solutions fight for air like lightning bugs in a glass bottle.
A world where deceptions and solutions fight for air like lightning bugs in a glass bottle - sounds like something a certain Jonathan Foreman would say or sing about? This song, for one, is inspirational in a way that few other songs are - its not trying to be kind - it minces no words, sternly scolds you, and scares you into waking up. Sometimes it takes a do-or-die challenge to move me from lethargy -- a battle-cry: "You will kill or be killed."
The whole album is amazing, but this track is special not only 'cause I'm a sucker for good guitar solos, but it inspires me to stop dreaming, and start doing something. If I don't, it's happening without me. Nothing / no one will wait for me, or return my missed chances.
Oh, and I was happy to see this album on Switchfoot's "list of albums you should hear", its good to know they like this record too. There's no better time to get into them than now, because their new album "A Weekend in the City" will be released on February 5th (UK) / 6th (US) - and hence, my timely post.
Labels: mp3 of the week |
posted by phil @ 8:58 PM  
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| 10 Comments: |
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wow, i say too much. i hope you guys like the song.
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Yeah you said WAY too much, but I read it all.
And sadly I can't say that most of the bands I listen to were in my life before Switchfoot. Too much of a good thing?
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okay, i shortened it.
and you guys can now listen to it before downloading it, just hit the play button :)
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i def. already have this song.
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i sent it to you, gellie.
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i added a couple videos for you gellie - and for those who have already heard "Plans" (many of my friends) and would like to hear more.
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Dude you should've waited 2 weeks, and put up a song from the new album :p
I must say I got a kick out of seeing Bloc Party on here though. Oh, and I have the perfect song in mind for next week!
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haha yeah well i just thought this album is kinda classic and isn't to be missed. but you have a point. but hey you can cover the new album on your blog, and maybe we can do an MOTW on it a few months down the line. i hope the sophomore stands up to the debut.
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to me, your entry is perfect.
love, tina.
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Heh we'll see - people seem a little disgruntled about it - but I like what I've heard so far.
Oh, and check out Elizaveta if you get a chance - saw her the other night, and was totally floored! Has a few songs on her myspace page.
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wow, i say too much. i hope you guys like the song.