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Bloc Party - Mercury

  • 01-08-2008 2:54pm
    #1
    Stompbox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,811 ✭✭✭


    A choppy,brooding trip-hop triumph. Anyone else have thoughts on it?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    suckslikeafox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 553 ✭✭✭suckslikeafox


    Only have silent alarm...thought it was good in parts but very inconsistent. Is mercury better?


  • #3
    Kold
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,778 ✭✭✭✭Kold


    Not released AFAIK. The single is f*cking annoying though, Kele needs to pipe the f*ck down on tracks if they're in any hope of emulating the success of Silent Alarm.


  • #4
    Seziertisch
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,180 ✭✭✭Seziertisch


    Contender for one of the most annoying vocals ever.


  • #5
    flyswatter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭flyswatter


    This song has grown on me. Not as good as Flux but I still like it.


  • #6
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    not a fan of it, drums are near identical to that of the prayer which i never was a big fan of.


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  • #7
    jill_valentine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,090 ✭✭✭jill_valentine


    It took me ages to recognise it as a Bloc Party track. I still haven't figured out do I like it or not, but by Christ, fair play to them for going so far from Silent Alarm.


  • #8
    Kid V
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 260 ✭✭Kid V


    "My mercurys in retro-grade, my mercurys in retro-grade, mer, mer, mercurys in retrograde, mercurys in retrograde, mer, mercury, mer, mercury, mer, mercury,mer, mercury, mer, mercurys in RETROGRADE (said in very deep voice)

    Its ridiculous but its Bloc party so i'll give it a few listens. It is kinda funny though, i'll give them that. I played it to my mate yesterday. It was priceless, ive never seen laughter turn to sheer annoyance so quickly. Kudos Bloc Party


  • #9
    Bubs101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭Bubs101


    jill_valentine wrote: »
    , fair play to them for going so far from Silent Alarm.

    Why? Silent Alarm is infintely better than any of the dross they've released recently. They've fallen into Radiohead-itis after just one album. Make one great album (2 in Radiohead's case) of guitar driven rock and then go down the keyboard route and never go back. It's not really what the non die-hard fans want to hear and it is in no way as good as Helicopter, Like Eating Glass or Banquet


  • #10
    JerryHandbag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭JerryHandbag


    Very electronic, have they burnt their guitars!? :eek:


  • #11
    Frisbee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,573 ✭✭✭✭Frisbee


    Im still undecided.
    Not feeling it as one of their good ones...


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  • #12
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    Eurgh, what's Jacknife Lee doing to them? Silent Alarm was a post-punk renaissance of sorts, A Weekend In The City got old, quickly, but still demands the odd listen. Flux is unbearable, this is just taking the piss. Not a fan of Mercury at all. They should stick to what they do best, rather than appearing like a leftfield indie band.

    Not impressed.


  • #13
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    Flux had a really recognizable melody, I just felt the synths were too much and the drum machines didn't help either. I just don't feel that the melody on this track is worthy of Kele's vocal prowess.

    Not impressed.


  • #14
    jill_valentine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,090 ✭✭✭jill_valentine


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    Why? Silent Alarm is infintely better than any of the dross they've released recently. They've fallen into Radiohead-itis after just one album. Make one great album (2 in Radiohead's case) of guitar driven rock and then go down the keyboard route and never go back. It's not really what the non die-hard fans want to hear and it is in no way as good as Helicopter, Like Eating Glass or Banquet

    A band like Oasis have been playing basically the same song for nearly a decade, and have sold enough records to buy Hawaii off the back of it. Bloc Party have scrapped all the stuff they know works to try something different and, for them, weird. Haven't worked out if it's good or not, but they've got a bit of moxy to try it.

    And as unlikely as I am to whack this on my headphones, if I'm out and about, I think it might get me going pretty damn effectively...


  • #15
    doonothing
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,745 ✭✭✭doonothing


    Have only heard the single, mercury... As far as songs go which ARE PLAYED CONSTANTLY IN WORK, mercury has to rate as one of the worst.

    Very disappointed.


  • #16
    Bubs101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭Bubs101


    jill_valentine wrote: »
    A band like Oasis have been playing basically the same song for nearly a decade, and have sold enough records to buy Hawaii off the back of it.

    But that's what the fans want to hear. I'm a massive Oasis fan I always like to hear them try and make another Definitely maybe or try to get anthems like those that are on What's the Story. The albums haven't lived up to iy but some of the songs have (Stop Crying your heart out for example)

    jill_valentine wrote: »
    Bloc Party have scrapped all the stuff they know works to try something different and, for them, weird. Haven't worked out if it's good or not, but they've got a bit of moxy to try it.

    The whole point about their new stuff is that it doesn't work. Ant to be honest, they don't have the balls to try and make another guitar album because they're afraid they can't make one as good as Silent Alarm, the same as Radiohead and OK Computer.


  • #17
    Timans
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,370 ✭✭✭Timans


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    But that's what the fans want to hear. I'm a massive Oasis fan I always like to hear them try and make another Definitely maybe or try to get anthems like those that are on What's the Story. The albums haven't lived up to iy but some of the songs have (Stop Crying your heart out for example)




    The whole point about their new stuff is that it doesn't work. Ant to be honest, they don't have the balls to try and make another guitar album because they're afraid they can't make one as good as Silent Alarm, the same as Radiohead and OK Computer.
    I don't agree with that.

    I think bands often get bored with playing the same music, you have to remember that these bands are playing the same songs night after night on tour so obviously they're going to want to try something a bit different.

    I think Radiohead just wanted to try something different and have succeded in my opinion. I don't think it has anything to do with having balls or not.


  • #18
    lordgoat
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 11,395 Mod ✭✭✭✭lordgoat


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    But that's what the fans want to hear. I'm a massive Oasis fan I always like to hear them try and make another Definitely maybe or try to get anthems like those that are on What's the Story. The albums haven't lived up to iy but some of the songs have (Stop Crying your heart out for example)




    The whole point about their new stuff is that it doesn't work. Ant to be honest, they don't have the balls to try and make another guitar album because they're afraid they can't make one as good as Silent Alarm, the same as Radiohead and OK Computer.

    Bubs sometimes we're close others miles apart!

    Oasis for me = boring repitition. THey could have released their albums in any order, no progression more of the same.

    Radiohead (i'm not a big fan by any means) I do love Kid A and their new album i think Idiotheque is one the greatest tracks ever and i love the constant striving to make a bette album.

    Look at Wilco, every album is pretty much a develolpment on the last one. It's why i love them.

    BAck on topic. Bloc Party can come and go. There's not much to them imo.
    New song is particularly ad though.


  • #19
    Bubs101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭Bubs101


    lordgoat wrote: »
    Bubs sometimes we're close others miles apart!

    Oasis for me = boring repitition. THey could have released their albums in any order, no progression more of the same.

    Radiohead (i'm not a big fan by any means) I do love Kid A and their new album i think Idiotheque is one the greatest tracks ever and i love the constant striving to make a bette album.

    Look at Wilco, every album is pretty much a develolpment on the last one. It's why i love them.

    BAck on topic. Bloc Party can come and go. There's not much to them imo.
    New song is particularly ad though.

    You see, there's a difference between Wilco and Radiohead. Radiohead completely abandoned their older and better sound in favour of foraging down the road of keyboard wankery whereas Wilco kept the twangy guitar's from their first album, developing them along the way in every album.

    I'm not saying I'm against progression, I'm all for it. What I am against is bands completely distancing themselves from the sound which made them big while their fans still bleat on about their new stuff as if it were as good. Radiohead fans in particular.


  • #20
    Kold
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,778 ✭✭✭✭Kold


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    You see, there's a difference between Wilco and Radiohead. Radiohead completely abandoned their older and better sound in favour of foraging down the road of keyboard wankery whereas Wilco kept the twangy guitar's from their first album, developing them along the way in every album.

    I'm not saying I'm against progression, I'm all for it. What I am against is bands completely distancing themselves from the sound which made them big while their fans still bleat on about their new stuff as if it were as good. Radiohead fans in particular.

    Can you not just accept that some people think it's better music? I like their newer stuff just as much as their old stuff and I'd go as far as saying Amnesiac is a better album than OK Computer. They're not distancing themselves, there are guitar driven songs in their new albums to rival songs on OKC and the Bends. They're just using their knowledge of music to push and make better music than the average unimaginative indie band.

    This is hardly the thread to discuss it in though. I don't see any likeness whatsoever, I just had to disagree with the rubbish you were saying about Radiohead.


  • #21
    doonothing
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,745 ✭✭✭doonothing


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    You see, there's a difference between Wilco and Radiohead. Radiohead completely abandoned their older and better sound in favour of foraging down the road of keyboard wankery whereas Wilco kept the twangy guitar's from their first album, developing them along the way in every album.

    I'm not saying I'm against progression, I'm all for it. What I am against is bands completely distancing themselves from the sound which made them big while their fans still bleat on about their new stuff as if it were as good. Radiohead fans in particular.

    Kid A is probably my favourite Radiohead album, as good as Ok and the Bends are. There's only so many times a band can release an album of "the sound that made them big" before I'd get bored, anyway...


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  • #22
    JerryHandbag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭JerryHandbag


    Radiohead, fair play to them, invented the phrase "Doing a Kid A" :D


  • #23
    jill_valentine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,090 ✭✭✭jill_valentine


    I can respect a band for trying to do something new, I can't say the same for a band who've developed a template, and stick to it. It takes a bit of guts to step out of the formula you already know works. It's not some personal betrayal to the people who've bought your old albums, but any creative type owes it to themselves and their listeners not to get lazy.

    I don't think an electronic sound is automatically less valid than a more guitary one - you just might not like it. Radiohead lost some fans, and gained plenty of others, over the course of their progression. I have damn all interest in their older sound. It's done with, as far as I'm concerned, and if they somehow went back to it, I wouldn't be interested.

    I already own those albums.


  • #24
    lordgoat
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 11,395 Mod ✭✭✭✭lordgoat


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    You see, there's a difference between Wilco and Radiohead. Radiohead completely abandoned their older and better sound in favour of foraging down the road of keyboard wankery whereas Wilco kept the twangy guitar's from their first album, developing them along the way in every album.

    I'm not saying I'm against progression, I'm all for it. What I am against is bands completely distancing themselves from the sound which made them big while their fans still bleat on about their new stuff as if it were as good. Radiohead fans in particular.

    Ya i can see your Wilco point i was speaking more in generalities than specifics though.


  • #25
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    Being experimental and defying the sound that made you big is all well and good, and brilliant, but only if this new stuff can actually hold it's own. For Radiohead, I think Kid A exceeds all of their other stuff (barring OK Computer), so experiment= success.

    However, where Bloc Party are concerned, there has been a steady decline in the quality of their material released. The chain, for me, is Silent Alarm > A Weekend In The City >> Flux >>> Mercury, in terms of quality.


  • #26
    BarryCreed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 701 ✭✭✭BarryCreed


    i much prefer the electro kid a onward radiohead stuff, and I enjoyed the 2nd marlay park gig, where they only played one or two of the early numbers. It's 2008, not 1993, they can't do a metallica and play the same set over and over.
    There's nobody forcing ye to listen to anything after OK Computer. Just listen to their first 3 albums and quit moaning. Same with bloc party. Just listen to silent alarm and be done with it. You'll soon find a new band that will interest you and you'll soon be "bloc who?"


  • #27
    bythewoods
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭bythewoods


    I'm a massive Bloc party fan- loved Silent Alarm.. loved A Weekend in the City..

    But then along came Flux. Grrr.
    At first I thought they were taking the piss.. turns out they weren't so. It sort of grew on me, and I kept the belief that it was a one off.

    Mercury- like seriously, focking hell! it's just crap.
    It actually frustrates me! Arghhhh!


  • #28
    insinkerator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭insinkerator


    Ugh that single depresses me...... really, i hope the rest of the album isnt like that


  • #29
    machiavellianme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,273 ✭✭✭✭machiavellianme


    insinkerator wrote: »
    Ugh that single depresses me...... really, i hope the rest of the album isnt like that

    Well at least we'll find out thursday when its released.


  • #30
    ronanoc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33 ✭ronanoc


    Really didn't like Mercury. By the way, there's a new song up on the the NME website. It's called "Trojan Horse". A little better, but not enough to rekindle my anticipation for the new album.


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  • #31
    insinkerator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭insinkerator


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80RFr8iuoc

    Link to the new song - Trojan Horse

    Much better than Mercury, still nothing amazing though


  • #32
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    20 seconds in and instantly an improvement.


  • #33
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/144758-new-bloc-party-album-out-digitally-on-thursday

    Just ordered the CD and digi download there meself. Roll on Thursday.


  • #34
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    Cremo wrote: »
    20 seconds in and instantly an improvement.

    Got that YMSS EP. It's claaass.


  • #35
    csk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 459 ✭✭csk


    One of the most inane songs ever really, really fcukin annoys the sh!t outta me. Haven't heard the album tho' so can't comment on that. The band are crap actually too couple of songs off the first album were good haven't heard much of their music since but remember the singer getting into a ridiculous fight/argument with someone else that made him look like the biggest twat so haven't bothered with 'em again.


  • #36
    Jip
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,418 ✭✭✭Jip


    English please ? I managed to take from your garbled post about something to do with a fight ? Do better research and you'll find it was over some alleged racial abuse by John Lydon against Kele Okereke, witnessed by members of Foals and the Kaiser Chiefs who came to his aid, not a 'ridiculous fight/argument' as you so eloquently put it.

    I very much enjoyed the first 2 albums, some really cracking songs on them it and I don't mind Mercury actually. I'll of course withhold my opinion on their new stuff until I hear the entire album.


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  • #37
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    and anyway what the hell has a fight got to the with the actual music?


  • #38
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    This is a fantastic album. Mercury is starting to grow on me now.


  • #39
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    Ekels wrote: »
    This is a fantastic album. Mercury is starting to grow on me now.

    Halo is impeccable. It seems to amalgamate the power of AWITC and the rhythm of Silent Alarm.

    I like how the download Bloc Party issued is of a real high quality bitrate (320).


  • #40
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    Ekels wrote: »
    Got that YMSS EP. It's claaass.

    glad you like it :)
    Ekels wrote: »
    This is a fantastic album. Mercury is starting to grow on me now.
    sweet can't wait to hear the rest of the album now.


  • #41
    insinkerator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭insinkerator


    Any more pinions on the album? I'm trying to decide wether to get it or not?


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  • #42
    Ekels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭Ekels


    insinkerator wrote: »
    Any more pinions on the album? I'm trying to decide wether to get it or not?

    It's more like AWITC than Silent Alarm, but there are heavy doses of instrumental and also vocal experimentation that make it a really satisying listen.


  • #43
    ronanoc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33 ✭ronanoc


    I like Mercury much better in the context of the album than I did as a stand alone track, possibly because it comes after Ares, and anything is a relief after that. Not sure about the album yet. It has it's moments. I'll give it a couple more listens anyway.

    I was sort of hoping it would sound like Silent Alarm Remixed, but it doesn't. If you haven't heard SA Remixed, I would highly recommend it.


  • #44
    Lainabaina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 80 ✭✭Lainabaina


    I didn't make it through one listen of the song, so I've got to admit I probably don't have anything new to add, except to say that the track was unrecognisable to me as BP. Progression gone a step too far maybe? :(

    Wouldn't write it off just yet, as I've seen them live a few times and I know how they get the crowd going, and maybe this is just a new style that'll contribute to more upbeat gigs? Maybe...


  • #45
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    ronanoc wrote: »
    I like Mercury much better in the context of the album than I did as a stand alone track, possibly because it comes after Ares, and anything is a relief after that. Not sure about the album yet. It has it's moments. I'll give it a couple more listens anyway.

    this sums up my initial thoughts on the album.

    Mercury works so well after the opener.

    My favourite atm though has to be the closer ion square.


  • #46
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    Guys, please don't mention a recent Bloc Party concert.

    [url] http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054978392[/url]

    Any mentions thus far have been deleted.


  • #47
    RonanC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭RonanC


    After listening to the first song, it's definitely a typo on the song title.

    Picks up after Mercury, not sure if I'm too enamoured with the whole album though. At least they've released it in 320kbps.


  • #48
    flyswatter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭flyswatter


    Not too impressed with the new album so far.


  • #49
    fifth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,135 ✭✭✭fifth


    Mercury.. left me kinda wondering whether I liked it or not. It's a grower, in some ways.. I loved SA, liked AWITC.. loved flux.. not loving mercury - yet.


  • #50
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    but mercury is only one song off the album.

    one song doesn't make an album


  • #51
    flyswatter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭flyswatter


    flyswatter wrote: »
    Not too impressed with the new album so far.


    I spoke too soon. Really enjoying the album now. Biko is a highlight. :)


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