Silent Alarm
by Bloc Party
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Stylus Magazine
    100
    There are thirteen tracks here spread over 50 minutes, but not once does the quality or pace dip below thrilling. Every track is bursting with ideas and inspired moments.
  2. Urb
    100
    Silent Alarm doesn't just maintain Bloc Party's post-dance-punk appeal, it blows the fucking lid off. [Apr 2005, p.100]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A post-punk mishmash of angular guitars, pulsating bass, and tricky time signatures. [8 Apr 2005, p.64]
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  5. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Silent Alarm's not 100% filler-free - the forgettable 'So Here We Are' could have slipped out the back with little protest - but the autonomy, creativity and sheer, elastic beauty that spans this debut more than justifies the rapidly accelerating hype that Bloc Party are currently generating.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    'Silent Alarm' is no 'Franz Ferdinand'. In fact, listen to it with the words 'popular' and 'arty' in mind and its spirit is closer to the Manic Street Preachers' 'The Holy Bible'. [5 Feb 2005, p.49]
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  7. No Ripcord
    90
    Sensitive enough to charm you, yet with songs hard enough and strong enough to keep you from getting bored, Silent Alarm is already a strong contender for debut album of the year.
  8. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    What is truly magical on Silent Alarm is how it astutely grafts the accoutrements of wiry post-punk austerity to pop hooks fortified with soulful melodic intent.
  9. The A.V. Club
    90
    It may fit neatly with the now-sound, but Bloc Party's debut album, Silent Alarm, feels more like a modern-day dance-punk standard-bearer than a second-stringer or also-ran.
  10. Splendid
    90
    Unlike so many of their Gang of Four-worshipping peers, Bloc Party are that rare band that can actually transcend their influences and press clippings, crushing the fervor surrounding their arrival in a hail of splintered guitars and sumptuous despondency.
  11. Pitchfork
    89
    This is a solid, intelligent album that a lot of people will love-- one that'll slot onto indie-crossover CD racks right beside the debuts from Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, and the Futureheads.
  12. Filter
    86
    Hip-shakingly good. [#14, p.98]
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  13. Lost At Sea
    85
    There is little doubt that Silent Alarm is stellar, worthy of the praise it has received.
  14. E! Online
    83
    What sets Silent Alarm apart, however, is the presence of singer Kele Okereke, who has a dazzlingly elastic voice like the Cure's Robert Smith.
  15. Rolling Stone
    80
    Silent Alarm is dance rock, but highly caffeinated.
  16. Playlouder
    80
    'Silent Alarm' is a brilliantly accomplished art rock record that immediately immerses you in a world of taut, late 80s post-punk, melodic indie. It rarely lets up.
  17. Q Magazine
    80
    An arty, confident and exhilarating debut. It's everything pop music should be. [Mar 2005, p.94]
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  18. Billboard
    80
    Consider "Silent Alarm" to be one of the best debuts of 2005 so far.
  19. Village Voice
    80
    Bloc Party borrow the soaring melodic guitar lines of Television and sinuous noodling of New Order and the Cure to add a lushness that makes these songs sonically beautiful as well as rhythmically aggressive.
  20. Paste Magazine
    80
    Draws as much from Madness as Joy Division. [Apr/May 2005, p.131]
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  21. Trouser Press
    80
    Bloc Party may not have arrived first in the retro-'80’s sweepstakes, but this great album stakes their belated claim to it.
  22. cokemachineglow
    78
    Removing the formulae and sensual stimuli from the Party leaves little that’s substantive or innovative. Even the most cursory of examinations would show the group to be an “it” band and not much else. However, Bloc Party’s absurdly good at being an “it” on Silent Alarm.
  23. Los Angeles Times
    75
    "Silent Alarm" sometimes lapses into facelessness, but at its best it combines dynamic record-making and underlying passion with a rare focus. [10 Apr 2005]
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  24. Mojo
    70
    Ambitious in scope and abundantly stocked with viral melody, Silent Alarm is hugely impressive--flawed certainly... but nonetheless blessed with outbreaks of great flair. [Mar 2005, p.100]
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  25. PopMatters
    70
    Only briefly and intermittently does Silent Alarm play it safe (the unspectacular tracks "Plans", "Blue Light", and single "Banquet"), but its engaging flow is never derailed.
  26. Uncut
    70
    Silent Alarm's innovation, sense of urgency and sleek production are enough to comfortably elevate Bloc Party above the post-punk rabble. [Mar 2005, p.106]
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  27. Under The Radar
    70
    What's most surprising is not how audaciously full of formula the album is, but how compelling the album is despite its lack of surprises or innovation. [#9]
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  28. AllMusic
    70
    Although it wouldn't hurt if there were more "party" (the celebratory kind, not the political one) in Silent Alarm, it's still a fine debut album with a lot of passion and polish; it's hard not to respect, if not fully embrace, the intensity and integrity of Bloc Party's music.
  29. ShakingThrough.net
    68
    Bloc Party will almost certainly find success. Based on Silent Alarm, however, it won't be as innovators or firebrands, but as purveyors of familiar hooks, passionately delivered and smartly promoted.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2005
23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2005
16
#16 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 274 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 248 out of 274
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 274
  3. Negative: 14 out of 274
  1. EmptyFilmStock
    Jun 1, 2012
    10
    The run time of the album or the run time of each of the individual songs are of no concern. Whether or not you'll enjoy it is of real concernThe run time of the album or the run time of each of the individual songs are of no concern. Whether or not you'll enjoy it is of real concern to you. Which you will, trust me. Donâ… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Nov 9, 2017
    9
    As debuts go, this is a cracker from a band who were fast off the blocks. 13 tracks and not a bad one to be found. While "Silent Alarm" stillAs debuts go, this is a cracker from a band who were fast off the blocks. 13 tracks and not a bad one to be found. While "Silent Alarm" still sounds great, at the time of release it really captured the mood of young adults in the mid 00's with qualifications coming into the working world being promised the world only to find a reality of commuting and 60 hour weeks. This is one of those albums where all the elements of a band hit a peak simultaneously to achieve great things. Fantastic guitar hooks, sublime bass lines and outstanding drumming. Musically hard to find fault, vocals/lyrics are occasionally problematic. Excellent.… Full Review »
  3. roadwarrior234
    Nov 13, 2015
    10
    Such a great album! Every song is great and looped this album about 100 times! Silent alarm turned 10 years old this year and the songs haveSuch a great album! Every song is great and looped this album about 100 times! Silent alarm turned 10 years old this year and the songs have aged very well and still sound great. The lowest moments of the album like the song "Plans' or "Luno" are still great songs and I'm honestly haven't gotten more radio play. It's honestly a shame not more people listen to Bloc Party.… Full Review »
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