Bloc
Party’s third and latest album Intimacy
The band’s second album allowed them to evolve
from the sound point of view by experimenting with a more electronic
style in their music. However, the band wasn’t ready to experiment with
more daring musical arrangements. The 2007
November single “Flux” showed them though that they can go in any
direction in their future works. Before starting any studio work the
band members took a month off from each other, so as to have a fresh
start at the new album. As it was the case before most of the lyrics
were written by Okereke before the recording process started.
In the middle months of 2008 the recording process
began with the band going to secretive recording sessions at various
studios in the south-east of England because they wanted to use a
similar creative process they used when they created “Flux” which was
done in a week. As for the production aspect of this album they invited
both Paul Epworth – producer of the band’s debut album “Silent Alarm” -
and Jacknife Lee – producer of the band’s second album “A Weekend in the
City”. As such each producer was in charge of working on five of the
record’s original ten tracks. Having two producers working with them
allowed the band a large field of musical experimentation, while Epworth
would turn his attention on capturing the dynamic of the live band by
working on formed songs, Lee helped the band evolve their sound further
with electronica by creating tracks with them.
The band members stated that this album was another
experiment and they wanted to base it on what they’ve learned from their
first two albums. This album would feature more drum machines and
distorted guitars than their previous albums and while drummer Matt Tong
would at first be sceptical about using programmed drums after they
recorded some of the tracks he was on board with the concept.
As opposed to the band’s first albums which dealt
with socio-political subjects, “Intimacy” as its name implies is about
human relationships, whether they are relationships between lovers,
friends or enemies, the songs dealing generally with personal themes.
The album was generally well-received getting a 69% rating on Metacritic
in October 2008 based on twenty-seven critical reviews. |
