Intimacy by Bloc Party

“My Mercury’s in retrograde/ My Mercury’s in retrograde/ Merc-Merc-Mercury’s in retrograde/ My Mercury’s in retrograde.”

The first time I heard “Mercury” off Bloc Party’s new album Intimacy I was dubious. “They’ve gone a bit too far to the middle this time,” I thought. “This will be annoying after a few plays.” And it’s true. It’s annoyingly catchy. But isn’t that how the Bloc Party roll?

If the single put you off at first, as it did me, at first anyway, don’t let that put you off the whole album, which is terrific and very much the Bloc Party as you may have come to know an love. As the tracks roll on you begin to see that while they’re doing a few things a bit more…dancy, they’re plenty of rock in here as well. The third track, “Halo”, for example has kind of sultry yet heavy sound that recalls Grebo rock like Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.

My favorite track, so far, “One Month Off”, sort of reminds me a bit of my favorite tack from A Weekend In The City, “The Prayer.” The next track “Zepherus” is very atmospheric with it’s trip-hop rhythm and chanting. Lots of variety here.

The Bottom Line

Intimacy is a really nice addition to Bloc Party’s arsenal, but it does take a few listens to grow on you. Once it does, though, you’ll find yourself really enjoying it. The actual CD isn’t out yet, but you can get the album digitally here: http://www.blocparty.com/preorder/