Sound Salvation Army

Remember when Bloc Party used to be awesome? When their first album came out they were on top of the world, their frenetic blend of fast-paced guitars, break-neck drums, dance beats, and yearning vocals forming the foundation of what was easily one of the best records of the year. I’ll always remember the first time “Banquet” came on my iPod while I was doing dishes at my parent’s house. I had downloaded the single, probably after some hyperbolic Pitchfork hype, and from the first spin I just wanted more. I must’ve hit the back button eight times in a row.

I got the CD for Silent Alarm the day it came out, reveling in its energy and enthusiasm. Even the goddamn love songs have galloping drums and driving guitars. “This Modern Love” has been a favourite right to this day, still making the cut on mix tapes every once in a while.

Today I stumbled on the Take Away Shows website for the first time in a few months and I found a stirring performance by Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and guitarist Russell Lissack. The video is much more intimate than usual, but the singing is what really takes an already great song to another level.

Too bad its already been done before!

 

 Bloc Party - This Modern Love (acoustic) [3:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Final Fantasy - This Modern Love: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pat entries acoustic, Bloc Party, covers, Final Fantasy, live music, Take Away Shows

Seriously you guys, the world was against me today.

Between my iPod (back from the dead, thanks to my eventual conquering of the case and subsequent replacement of the battery), my at-work “good god i have to tune out these people with something” mix, and my in-the-work-car mix tape, I seriously and without hyperbole heard “Flux” by Bloc Party eight times in one day. They might as well be playing it on one of our fm stations, seriously.

Luckily it’s a good song, bringing back the urgency and frenetic drum parts of their first album to mingle with the cloyingly pleading vocals of their second. Here’s a B-Party classic as well for old time’s sake.

 

 Bloc Party - Flux [3:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Bloc Party - Helicopters [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Bloc Party is a usually totally sweet band, and because they’re European they don’t worry about releasing singles, even for non-album singles:

iTunes: “Buy” the single from the second biggest music retailer in the U.S.
Recordstore: Awesome, huge UK-based online indie store has every version of every single they’ve done. Seriously, like way more than you’d ever want or need. Also, their North American “stores” are lame. These guys are good.

*I mean it would’ve been cool if my iPod actually shuffled instead of just playing one Bloc Party song every third track 

Pat entries Bloc Party, iPod, singles