Silent Alarm
2005Wichita Recordings
One of the finest British debuts of the decade. Helicopter and Banquet are career highlights.
Bloc Party
All Artists
Post-Punk Revival / Indie Rock
Bloc Party
Silent Alarm is one of the finest British debut albums of the 2000s. Kele Okereke's voice is one of the most distinctive of his generation.
London, EnglandFormed 1999Active
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Biography
Bloc Party
Bloc Party formed in London in 1999, Kele Okereke's powerful vocals and the band's angular, danceable post-punk sound giving them a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Wichita Recordings and released their debut album 'Silent Alarm' (2005) — one of the most acclaimed British debuts of the year.
'Silent Alarm' was an immediate statement of intent. 'Helicopter', 'Banquet', 'So Here We Are', and 'This Modern Love' were all excellent singles. The album showed a band capable of real musical range — from angular post-punk to atmospheric ballads. Okereke's lyrics were politically engaged and emotionally direct.
Bloc Party have continued to record and tour with remarkable consistency. 'A Weekend in the City' (2007) and 'Intimacy' (2008) were both strong follow-ups. Okereke has also had a successful solo career. They remain one of the most important British bands of their generation.
Discography
The Albums
A Weekend in the City
2007Wichita Recordings
The Prayer and Hunting for Witches are among their finest songs.
Intimacy
2008Wichita Recordings
A more electronic direction. Flux is one of their most underrated songs.
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