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Bloc Party - ‘Mercury’

July 11th, 2008 · 6 Comments · Single Reviews

What? Is that another high hat I hear, shimmering from Matt Tong’s drum-kit. The same tinkering we heard in dance infused singles ‘The Prayer’ and ‘Flux’, well yes,  I believe it is. This is of-course Bloc Party’s newly anticipated internet release, ‘Mercury’. It’s fair to say that this is the most experimental we’ve heard Bloc Party, not to say this song pushes any boundaries, but it’s certainly a far cry from anything on ‘Silent Alarm’.

The track is driven by a thumping drum beat reminiscent of ‘The Prayer’, and a pacing high hat which drummer Matt has been so annoyingly confined to. Shrieks of TV on the Radio-esque trumpet invade the speakers, pushing for space amongst the synths and Kele’s repetitive vocals. His delivery is clumsy but full of energy. The song seems to drag, until a few minutes in, when suddenly were welcomed with a bridge of beautiful tribal drums and effects pedals, which points to Bjork’s ‘Volta’ as an obvious inspiration. 

Overall ‘Mercury’ is ambitious, maybe too ambitious. In all there excitement, they seemed to have placed all there ideas into this one song, making the final product over crowded, but promising.

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6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Aaron // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    Awesome, ill have to give this track a listen asap.

  • 2 Joss // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    Thanks :) its definitely a grower, as they say.

  • 3 Aaron // Jul 11, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Where did you hear this marvel?

  • 4 Joss // Jul 11, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    http://www.blocparty.com/

    enjoy!

  • 5 Aaron // Jul 11, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    The obviousness stings.

  • 6 Chris // Aug 3, 2008 at 12:58 am

    bp fan here: tentative acceptance initially…can’t stop playing it now. seems i do enjoy their collective artistic meanderings/progression…

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