Four
by Bloc Party
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
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  1. Mojo
    Aug 29, 2012
    60
    Ultimately Four is an album of two 9uneven) sides). [Sep 2012, p.89]
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  2. NOW Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    They return to remind us that there's still one side of dance rock they haven't tried: rock. On Four, Bloc Party turn up their amps and tune down their guitars.
  3. Pitchfork
    Aug 28, 2012
    49
    It's ultimately debatable whether or not Four is the "real" Bloc Party, but revisionist history isn't supposed to be a duller version of the real thing.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    55
    Bloc Party once came with something to prove, and the conviction necessary to prove it. Four takes the audience's interest for granted, and refuses to step out of line to draw more interest. So much for a revolution.
  6. Q Magazine
    Aug 29, 2012
    60
    Four may be too diffuse and rough around the edges to qualify as a knockout comeback but it shows a band relocating their purpose and promise by changing their habits. [Sep 2012, p.96]
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  7. Slant Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    50
    Though Four does contain some sweet spots, it's largely an exercise in throwing projectiles at the proverbial wall with the hopes that something, anything, will stick. Four is a vacant display of miscellany.
  8. Spin
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    As defiant as this gang of four wants to be, they can't help but humbly return to their strengths.
  9. The Guardian
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    They hit a peak with Team A, a street brawl of limber bass and volatile guitar, but plunge a low every time the pace slackens.
  10. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    Bloc Party's touchstones remain firmly rooted in their indie upbringing.
  11. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Aug 29, 2012
    60
    [Four] sees them rediscovering guitars with a vengeance – and many tracks here come with the sort of epic quality that has helped Muse filled arenas.
  12. The Quietus
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    That Four is laced with some of the band's hands-down strongest work, then, makes its weaker moments and occasional in-your-face insistence all the more grating.
  13. Uncut
    Aug 30, 2012
    50
    The songs are assured, strident and catchy, but often fairly cringeworthy too. [Sep 2012, p.73]
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  14. Under The Radar
    Aug 28, 2012
    40
    The album is never able to build its momentum as it gets jostled between a fight over noise rock and soft sleeper cells.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 55
  3. Negative: 2 out of 55
  1. EmptyFilmStock
    Sep 18, 2012
    9
    The record that should have gone between 'Silent Alarm' and 'A Weekend in the City', this is a return to basics for the band. It is louder andThe record that should have gone between 'Silent Alarm' and 'A Weekend in the City', this is a return to basics for the band. It is louder and harder than their previous work and has little to none of the over done electronic music Intimacy had. Welcome back Bloc Party.… Full Review »
  2. ghostlight2
    May 24, 2013
    10
    A lot easier to listen to then Intimacy, however seems a little more average/bland than their usual sound. Having said that, there's stillA lot easier to listen to then Intimacy, however seems a little more average/bland than their usual sound. Having said that, there's still really good tunes (Day Four, Leaf Skeleton) and it's markedly better than most of the years other releases. Overall a really solid album, albeit not as diverse and amazing as Silent Alarm of A Weekend in the City.… Full Review »
  3. Vampire25
    Feb 27, 2013
    8
    Four is a return back to form for Bloc Party. They severely disappointed me with Intimacy, but Four quickly reassured me that Bloc PartyFour is a return back to form for Bloc Party. They severely disappointed me with Intimacy, but Four quickly reassured me that Bloc Party learned their lesson from that silly record. There's little to no use of overly-done electronics Intimacy had, and more crunching, melodic guitars. What I really love though are the slower songs. They show maturity in the band and also show a maturity in the vocals. All In All, Four is a welcome back for Bloc Party, and I can't wait for what they put out next. B+… Full Review »
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