Bloc Party - 'Flux'
Sometimes it's a bad idea to know too much about a song before you first hear it. We've all had that slightly deflated feeling when everyone in the world keeps banging on about some classic album or classic track like it's the single loudest / quietest / most heartfelt / scariest / most brutal / most gentle piece of music in the history of recorded soud...and then you finally get hold of a copy and it's just...alright. Worse still is the realisation that you can never tell people, becuase they'll just shake their heads sadly and pity you for not being in on the greatness. It's infuriating.
Not that I'm suggesting that this song is either a totally brilliant piece of music OR disappointingly alright, but I had heard so many reports about how Bloc Party had abandoned their trademark sound and 'gone dance' or 'gone pop', that I was looking forward to checking out a maverick slab of wayward sonic engineering, crossed with a Rachel Stevens / Freemasons offcut, the aural equivalent of seeing Thom Yorke in sequinned hot-pants and flashing deely-boppers.
And what does it ACTUALLY sound like? Well it sounds like Bloc Party, dunnit? Oh sure, a Bloc Party who use a drum machine rather than their amazingly good real drummer, or a Bloc Party whose engine room is has been stripped out and automated in order to make efficiency savings. But there are still guitars which sound like seagulls, and Kele still sings in a petulant whine (it's a good petulant whine, in case you think I'm having a go, but it IS a petulant whine, nonetheless).
Although having said that, they've put that robotic Cher filter on his voice, just like Aly & AJ and Britney use, so you can sort of see where the 'Bloc go pop' claims have come from.
But it does lead to an interesting thought. If you can strip Bloc Party down to just a voice and a delayed guitar, and put any old backing underneath, and they'll still sound like Bloc Party...what else could we lose? I mean could you record Kele singing to himself in the shower, while his cat whines and scratches at the door for a cuddle, and then set it to a beat, and call it a Bloc Party song?
Well, even if you could (and my vote is for a no, cos their drummer really is something), all should be well so long as people don't go around claiming the cat is the next logical step for all popular music, when actually it just sounds like a cat. That would be annoying.
Download: Out now
CD Released: November 5th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
its an excellant song,more deserving than the 3 stars you have given it. I would give it atleast 4 because the song is so unique and fun to dance to.
I normally hate bloc party but i love this song its really catchy and different. Bands have to mix it up and try something different otherwise it just gets boring,
I think its clear from what we've all seen happen in the past, that Bloc Party can do whatever they please. They're pretty well set up now, so its not as if they are guna start listening to negative criticism from a couple of 'fans' who are obviously just generally angry at everything anyway.
If you dont like the song, then dont listen to it. The band arent asking you to like everything they do. Its as simple as that.
From what I can denote from this song, Kele and the guys are working upon the success of thier remixed Alarm and are using elements of it in thier newer stuff. This is exaclty why people love the band - becasue they are different.
This isnt the only Bloc song that is a little dance-y and innovative. 'On' is similair in this respect, and we must have all noticed the elements of R&B in 'The Prayer'.
Give the guys a break. If your so scared of change then why were you ever listening to Bloc Party in the first place?
This track is another great new breath of fresh change that we all love Bloc Party for pioneering.
heya people wah u up 2 ???
One of the greatest songs of this decade, let alone year!!!
Block Party are usually descent but this one Blows the scales!
Keep it up lads.
Good song, but it gets boring after a few plays. In that respect, I guess it's like a lot of songs.
I dont normally listen to bloc party but when i herd it on radio1 i was like that song has to be downloaded so at that note, i downloaded it, i never get sick of listening to it...well done guys 10/10!
I absolutely love Bloc Party! I only have one problem with this song though, sounds like that band. . . what was their name. . . *thinks hard*. . . The Bravery! Whatever happened to them?