Two ravens in the old oak tree
And one for you and one for me
And bluebells in the late December
I see signs now all the time
The last time we slept...
Despite their third album's title, however, they largely focus here on frantic postpunk aggression that's not necessarily bad, it just isn't what they do best.
Released on the web fully two months before it hits record stores, Bloc Party’s third album is as gleaming and hermetically sealed as one of Kubrick’s monoliths.
At its best Intimacy is taut and claustrophobic or movingly sentimental, but for the main part it is repetitious and bafflingly poorly realised, especially given that they could have had an extra six months to work on it.
I don't understand all the negative reactions to this album. I really loved it and the more electronic spin they took! Its much more uniqueI don't understand all the negative reactions to this album. I really loved it and the more electronic spin they took! Its much more unique compared to their second album in my opinion.…Collapse
It is hard to understand how an album that opens with wailing sirens, screeching vocals, masterful drumming and a daring falsetto bridge couldIt is hard to understand how an album that opens with wailing sirens, screeching vocals, masterful drumming and a daring falsetto bridge could be dismissed as boring or uninspired. After the god of war is set in motion, we're moved onto the brass filled, infectious 'Mercury', only to later change style numerous other times with Silent Alarm-esque rock anthems glazed in electronics (Halo,Trojan Horse One Month Off), and delicate heart tugging escapades (Biko, Signs).
The album shape shifts through various dynamic styles, while retaining an electronic and sometimes sterile edge, blunted by catchy choruses and intelligent instrumental build-ups. The album really turns into something special toward its end especially, with the sprawling 'Talons', as rich in atmosphere and tension as it is in anthemic gusto, followed by 'Better Than Heaven' and closed with 'Ion Square', the former building toward heavenly synthased climax, and the latter serving as a poetic end to the record.
Overall, despite its various themes, the album still feels connected in the sense that all of the songs share an electronic undercurrent which makes a powerful statement. It not only shows how capable the band is of changing their style, but also shows how dedicated they are able to be when they do it. The production of the songs is what makes them unique, and Bloc Party produce the whole of Intimacy which such a vibrantly new face that it's hardly surprising it caught so much criticism.
Love it or hate it, this album made it clear that Bloc Party are not a one trick pony. There are parts of the album that may seem questionable, but its innovation (especially evident on repeat listens) makes it as credible as any band trying to break new territory, and they broke it outrageously too.…Expand
This rating isn't accurate at all as the majority of the reviews posted are reviewing the internet album not the physical release. The This rating isn't accurate at all as the majority of the reviews posted are reviewing the internet album not the physical release. The three songs tacted on for the final release, "Talons", "Letter to my Son", and "Your Visits are Getting Shorter", are all pretty much excellent and possibly the most accessible joints on the album and really help push the final product to new heights not attained initially.…Expand
Let's just stop comparing both this album and A Weekend in the City to Silent Alarm. It is ridiculous to hold Bloc Party to that. Taken Let's just stop comparing both this album and A Weekend in the City to Silent Alarm. It is ridiculous to hold Bloc Party to that. Taken on its own merits, this is a solid, interesting album. The lead singer's lyrics are still pretty bad but they weren't great on their debut either and no one seemed to have a problem then. The thing that has always elevated Bloc Party is their energy. It was admittedly more abundant on Silent Alarm than it was on A Weekend in the City, but they have regained some lost ground with this album. So again, don't expect Silent Alarm and you will have much to enjoy here.…Expand
I'm a pretty big Bloc Party fan, but never managed to get into this one. The album prior - A Weekend in the City - certainly flirted withI'm a pretty big Bloc Party fan, but never managed to get into this one. The album prior - A Weekend in the City - certainly flirted with electronic drum beats and such, but this one gets too far from the guitar-based "sound" of the band for my tastes, and not in a cool retro/synth-poppy way either.
Still better than several kicks to the teeth, but by far my least favourite of the first four Bloc Party albums (I'm yet to check out the fifth). Lovers of the "modern electronic" sound might get more out of it than I did.…Expand
This album has some really great tracks! I loved listening to Halo, Signs, etc. but somehow I can't help but think that this is a weaker pointThis album has some really great tracks! I loved listening to Halo, Signs, etc. but somehow I can't help but think that this is a weaker point for Bloc Party. Coming off of Silent Alarm and A Weekend and the City, they had some pretty big shoes to fill. Intimacy comes a little short but is still a good album.…Expand
An good album but not excellent. Some songs don't seem to have a pont or effect on the album, I'd say that the album is carried by songs likeAn good album but not excellent. Some songs don't seem to have a pont or effect on the album, I'd say that the album is carried by songs like "Ares", "Mercury" "Talons" and a few others. When comparing to previous albums like "Silent Alarm" and "A Weekend In The City" this albums appear to not being a realive of the band, but only puts more thing on the table. Overall, it's not the best album from Bloc Party but not the worst…Expand
