the new bassist is from menomena im pretty sure
― J0rdan S., Monday, 12 October 2015 18:59 (eight years ago) link
Matt Tong was always Bloc Party's mvp. Now he plays with Algiers, so he knows what's up.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:00 (eight years ago) link
There was a live set of theirs broadcast on the BBC Red Button only a couple of nights ago and showcasing the new line-up ('Bloc Party MKII', as Kele referred to it), and it was like watching a car crash pretty much. Really awful renditions of the older songs mixed with new material which felt completely sub-par. The new drummer replicated the old drummer's parts faithfully, and Kele looked as if he'd been working out a lot (he seems to be twice the size he was only a few years back) but there was really no sense of the new members actually giving the band a shot in the arm or a renewed sense of purpose or anything. It just felt like (and to me, was) Bloc Party doing Bloc Party badly with 50% of the original line-up, with Okereke dominating as per usual. I just wondered why they were even doing it, given that Kele has a solo career. Personnel wise, I can see them turning into The Smashing Pumpkins, with a revolving door of people coming and going with Kele Okereke dominating. Thing is, though, at least The Smashing Pumpkins can still make decent music.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:04 (eight years ago) link
It's genuinely astonishing how bad they are. It's not like I ever want to put the first album on any more but every subsequent record is just full of these comically terrible musical and lyrical decisions.
― Matt DC, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:04 (eight years ago) link
The Smashing Pumpkins can still make decent music.
Let's not get carried away.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:06 (eight years ago) link
I still think Intimacy is an underrated record, though, and probably their best after Silent Alarm - 'Signs' is one of the best things they ever did, IMO.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:07 (eight years ago) link
Let's not get carried away.― Johnny Fever, Monday, October 12, 2015 7:06 PM (11 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Johnny Fever, Monday, October 12, 2015 7:06 PM (11 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I'm not! I thought Oceania was the best Pumpkins record for a very long time. I didn't like Zeitgeist and I wasn't fond of the last one, but Oceania at least showed that Billy could still come up with the goods when he wanted to.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:08 (eight years ago) link
This new Bloc Party track, though: dreadful. It doesn't seem to be much of a song to begin with, but I can't listen to that sliding synth part with a straight face at all. It sounds like someone who has never used a synth before getting off on just hammering the keys and playing with the pitch wheel and thinking "yeah, this sounds fucking great!" - No, no it does not.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:31 (eight years ago) link
Well, to be fair, that description would fit a lot of the very best synth music. But yeah, this song is pretty dreadful.
― Frederik B, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:39 (eight years ago) link
i think the second album is underrated & really if you think about, like, the 1975 and years & years was pretty ahead of its time in some respects as far as british pop/rock goes
― J0rdan S., Monday, 12 October 2015 20:00 (eight years ago) link
('Bloc Party MKII', as Kele referred to it)
Please tell me he went all out and threw in a 'hope you like our new direction' comment on top of that.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 12 October 2015 20:03 (eight years ago) link
Relistened to Four yesterday and it sounded better than I remember. This, though...yikes.
― the naive cockney chorus (Simon H.), Monday, 12 October 2015 20:19 (eight years ago) link
xpost:
Sadly not, although there was a bit of an awkward interview segment in the middle if I remember, where there were, I guess, meant to be questions from the audience, but only one audience member got to ask a question which was "which is your favourite Bloc Party song to perform live?" ... and Kele was all like "well, I guess it would be different for all of us", and thus went around the stage with the mic asking everyone on the stage what their favourite Bloc Party song was to perform live. It seemed like he was very keen to present the new line-up as a healthy, democratic unit. I think one of 'em said "I can't wait to perform the new stuff live" and Kele said "exciting times" with all the excitement of someone who wasn't particularly excited.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 20:20 (eight years ago) link
There was a trio of backing singers onstage too, if I remember.
― Turrican, Monday, 12 October 2015 20:23 (eight years ago) link
I like this, it sounds a bit like some late 60s proto prog thing like Egg or Caravan?
― strictly dream-bait fit for moon-gazing (soref), Monday, 12 October 2015 20:25 (eight years ago) link
I dunno, they are stuck between not being a 'heritage' act reuniting, and also not being a current hit band back after a sabbatical.
It wouldn't matter if the new album was a cough cough NEWORDER cough cough excuse me style return to form, the genpub kinda care how cold you are..
― Mark G, Monday, 12 October 2015 20:27 (eight years ago) link
has there ever been a band so completely unaware of their own strengths or so keen to avoid them
― ufo, Tuesday, 13 October 2015 04:16 (eight years ago) link
this sounds so hilariously terrible on first listen that i really want to know what their thinking was behind it
― Haino Corrida (NickB), Tuesday, 13 October 2015 09:14 (eight years ago) link
It's... nothing like those acts though?
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 13 October 2015 09:20 (eight years ago) link
Shit this is bad.
― Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 13 October 2015 09:51 (eight years ago) link
I loved that first album so much ten years ago (ten years!). And pretty much everything since has been disappointing, if not outright risible.
there's a vague similarity in terms of ambitions between A Weekend in the City and the 1975 i guess but the 1975 are more successful with it
― ufo, Tuesday, 13 October 2015 09:58 (eight years ago) link
"cain said to abel" is prob my fav bloc party song and i have no idea why it's a b-side, lots of miscalculation in this band's post-silent alarm career
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Wednesday, 14 October 2015 13:26 (eight years ago) link
Matt Tong was always Bloc Party's mvp. Now he plays with Algiers, so he knows what's up.― Johnny Fever, Monday, 12 October 2015 19:00 (2 days ago) Permalink
Completely agree re: Matt's drumming, and was wondering where he'd show up. Thanks for that.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Wednesday, 14 October 2015 14:38 (eight years ago) link
Yeah, Tong's drumming was one of the main reasons I became so enthusiastic about this band circa Silent Alarm. I recall hearing 'So Here We Are' for the first time, and thought that it was wonderful how the intro suggested that the track was going to be a certain way rhythmically, and then the drums kicked in and immediately changed the vibe of the whole track. I haven't listened to 'So Here We Are' for a long while, but just thinking about it, and then comparing it to that new track posted above, the gulf in quality between the two is beyond vast.
― Turrican, Wednesday, 14 October 2015 14:48 (eight years ago) link
the algiers album came out this year and is extremely good fyi
― Haino Corrida (NickB), Wednesday, 14 October 2015 14:51 (eight years ago) link
Matt doesn't drum on the album I think: he plays live with them. Assume he'll be on the next record.
― Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 14 October 2015 18:37 (eight years ago) link
When I saw BP on the Silent Alarm tour his drumming was the highlight. Just nuts.
― the naive cockney chorus (Simon H.), Wednesday, 14 October 2015 18:38 (eight years ago) link
xp yeah, he joined after the album. Should be fun to see them live going forward, though.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 14 October 2015 18:42 (eight years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox68svCfm8k
If you thought The Love Within was bad, just wait until you hear this heap of dogshit.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Friday, 4 December 2015 01:50 (eight years ago) link
Intro reminded me of Daft Punk's Instant Crush without all the good parts and then devolved into generic rubbish. What the heck happened to these guys? I was really pumped on their debut. Do they need more drugs or do they need to quit them or something?
― octobeard, Friday, 4 December 2015 02:08 (eight years ago) link
What happened is their rhythm section bailed out and now Kele is making Russell stay and play guitar on his terrible new songs.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Friday, 4 December 2015 02:10 (eight years ago) link
Jesus fucking christ, this new album is beyond terrible... fucking hell!
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 21:53 (eight years ago) link
'Fortress' may just be one of Kele's most cringeworthy set of lyrics to date...
These sheets of ours shield our bodies like a fortressThey keep us safe from harmIntertwined, our bodies lay there like a commaThe arch of your back invites desire We put our bodies to the testFollow the curve right down your neckYour sweet, my sweat stuck in a webAnd in the mirror, you relentIt's teasing me with every stepReach down and feel how strong my love grows just for youPull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timeAnd on the street, our bodies ache for one anotherI just can't wait 'til we're alone, mmm mmmAnd I'm a fool for the sight of all the gold between your thightsYou still the sea that's stirring deep in meMake your base right here, next to meAs our notes blend in harmonyAnd when we sex, we hear the beatAnd it's so serenePull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timeAnd if you're hungry, devour your morselCover my mouth with yoursPut it one me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timePull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first time we kissed
Pull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timeAnd on the street, our bodies ache for one anotherI just can't wait 'til we're alone, mmm mmm
And I'm a fool for the sight of all the gold between your thightsYou still the sea that's stirring deep in meMake your base right here, next to meAs our notes blend in harmonyAnd when we sex, we hear the beatAnd it's so serene
Pull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timeAnd if you're hungry, devour your morselCover my mouth with yoursPut it one me like no one's watchingLike it's the first timePull me under, under the oceanCover my mouth with yoursPut it on me like no one's watchingLike it's the first time we kissed
^ Farking hell!
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:04 (eight years ago) link
*thights=thighs.
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:05 (eight years ago) link
Shit, he's used a "fungi"/"fun guy" pun in another song. No, really!
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:15 (eight years ago) link
This fennel tea that you bought for meWell, it does its magic discretelyI wrote this song for you, it's trueIn our only south facing roomSee, I don't know what the future holdsBut I hope we face it togetherCause rock and roll has got so oldJust give me neo-soul
[Chorus]Into the earth, our bodies will goWe got to keep it all fluidInto the earth, our bodies will goYou're gonna keep me good-looking
[Verse 2]You've seen the colour of my cashDoes it not impress? Was I way too flash?Are you backing awayFrom me?Calm down, Yoshi, the fungiIs helping this fun-guy deliverWhen I get high, I dance all nightI'll sing you Al Green songsI'm just trying to gently blur the linesWith my trusty sensimiliaDon't be so jaded or so coyWhen you could just be familiar
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:33 (eight years ago) link
Shirtless and faded on the Champs-ÉlyséesThe world was ours thenI had conviction, but you, you had styleSuch a lethal combinationThe years changed us, the money weighed us downWe lost our wayLet me spoil you, pick a place to goI want to spend my money on youAnd don't you rememberHow this began?You begged me for a chanceDon't waste your sorryNo, don't waste your goodbyesTonightFrom hand to mouth and nowWe're living luxI order the lobster, and you, the MoëtThe waitress thinks that we can't pay, noWhat does she know? Our pockets are full-grownAnd we've earned the right to fine dineSo raise your glass, my old friendFor we both know that this is the endFor the times we fought and the times we sharedI'll sing you a song the way I used to thenDon't you rememberHow this began?You begged me for a chanceDon't waste your sorryNo, don't waste your goodbyesTonightFrom hand to mouth and nowWe're living luxWe're living lux
And don't you rememberHow this began?You begged me for a chanceDon't waste your sorryNo, don't waste your goodbyesTonightFrom hand to mouth and nowWe're living lux
I order the lobster, and you, the MoëtThe waitress thinks that we can't pay, noWhat does she know? Our pockets are full-grownAnd we've earned the right to fine dineSo raise your glass, my old friendFor we both know that this is the endFor the times we fought and the times we sharedI'll sing you a song the way I used to then
Don't you rememberHow this began?You begged me for a chanceDon't waste your sorryNo, don't waste your goodbyesTonightFrom hand to mouth and nowWe're living luxWe're living lux
............
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:38 (eight years ago) link
ok i wasn't even going to listen to this but y'all convinced me
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:40 (eight years ago) link
:D
― ZESTY O'PRIDE (imago), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:41 (eight years ago) link
it sucks bc at least half of four is great imo
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:42 (eight years ago) link
In terms of the sheer gulf between aspiration and achivement he is probably the single worst British lyricist of the last decade, and that's really saying something.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:43 (eight years ago) link
OK I'm listening to the whole thing now, skipping the first song which we all already know is dogshit.
Why. Does. He. Feel. The. Need. To. Stop. Bet. Ween. Eve. Ry. Syll. A. Ble. He. Sings?
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:47 (eight years ago) link
It was bad enough when he stole an unreleased Richey Manic line for 'Where Is Home?' ("I want to cut off the feet off every ballerina") or the "eat your cancer" line from 'Heart Shaped Box'... on this one, he steals/rearranges the "we take the pills to find each other" line from Suede's 'New Generation'
― The Dave Grohl of ILX (Turrican), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:48 (eight years ago) link
I'm on track three and it's like this is supposed to be some sort of Jamie Woon-James Blake coffee table dubsoul thing, but he doesn't have voice of the former and the even rudimentary production skills of the latter.
Fourth track is the sort of clumpy midpaced twangy rocker that you expect from bands with no ideas left.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:51 (eight years ago) link
Every day is a repeatLike a carrier bag stuck in a treeI used to find my answersIn the gospels of St. JohnBut now I find them at the bottomOf this shot glass
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:52 (eight years ago) link
"so real" is ok
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:52 (eight years ago) link
"the good news" is like who invited this band to become black rebel motorcycle club
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:53 (eight years ago) link
The music to Fortress is even worse than the lyrics, unsurprising limp dick James Blake sex-ballad.
Also Kele Okerere is a man in his mid-30s using 'sex' as a verb.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:55 (eight years ago) link
wow i could be listening to the entire years & years album instead of "fortress"
― HYPERLINK TO RAP GENIUS (BradNelson), Tuesday, 2 February 2016 22:56 (eight years ago) link