Album Reviews

When Bloc Party decided to take a long nap back in 2008, Kele Okereke went solo and released “The Boxer”. Gordon Moakes went to play with Young Legionnaire while Russell Lissack went on tour with Ash and drummer Matt Tong stayed at home and built a studio. It looked like the curtain had fallen over Bloc Party… yet here they are with a new album, simply called “Four”. Because it’s album number four. Because it’s been four years since their last album. Because the band is made up of four different personalities. And because one of the guys in the band has four nipples. Okay, that last one is just a rumor. That I made up.

Let’s start with the bad news… single “Octopus” and “V.A.L.I.S.” are so vintage Bloc Party that you’ll get tired of them real fast. “Coliseum” starts off a wee bit bluesy before turning into a song that comes with guitars blazin’ but doesn’t have a whole lot to offer otherwise. The same basically goes for “We Are Not Good People”.

But when they show themselves at their most vulnerable in “Real Talk”, that’s when they hit the mark. It’s followed by “Kettling”, one of the loudest songs on here that comes with some sweet riffs. And “Team A” is a cool tune that’ll get your feet moving in no time with Bloc Party’s typical twitchy guitar lines.

Overall “Four” is a mediocre Bloc Party album. Fortunately for them that means it’s still pretty good when compared to some of the other stuff that’s being released.