The first song to open up this interesting 11-track album is called - 'The Love Within'. An eery techno intro opens up the album shortly followed by some very captivating lyrics that Okereke sings...
"Lord give me grace and dancing feet, as I conquer all anxiety. The angel told me not to fear, that the power too was in me."
The lyrics are articulated very clear at the beginning and then Okereke begins to sing on the chorus...
"The love within is moving upwards, so don't you want to get high? Don't you want to get high?
This track seems as though it is about somebody receiving a natural high from being in love and he is inviting his lover to feel the mutual high as she appears to be pushing him away.
The next track is called 'Only He Can Heal Me' and oddly, the intro reminded me of when the Oompa Loompa's begin to sing their song on Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - due to the quiet echoed backing vocals, however that image was soon distorted within a matter of seconds. This song has a very likeable factor about it, as the lyrics are pronounced ever so clearly like the previous track, and the beat really begins to pick up during the chorus, and then the track begins to create a house beat to it which results in this discotheque atmosphere being created during the song which is probably why it has that like-ability factor to it. 'So Real' is one of their more alternative tracks on the album and it is a very emotional and intimate song...
"What am I supposed to do when the only thing good about me, was you? What am I supposed to feel? As you kept the only part of me that was real... So real."
This is evidentially a song about the devastating reality of being cheated on right infront of your face, as it has caused the lyricist a terrible heartbreak and you can tell that they had been cheated on for the sake of a one night stand as the lyrics state...
"I know I pleased you, but now my baby's got new slang and a taste for strangers."
The following track is called 'The Good News' and it has a guitar intro and I have come to the realisation that the majority of the songs on this album appear to be heavily based on religion, however it works in their favour as the lyrics appear to be very effective and catchy - their chorus is a prime example...
"Every day I walk down to the water, and I pray since you left me that way. Oh Lord, I'm trying to keep my mind on the good news that's in my heart."
'Fortress' is a very chilled out song and the vocals are very high and slow... This track is the paradox on the album and it is about having sex with the person you have desired to be intimate with for a long time. Although it is quite a graphic song it does not appear sleazy it sounds more sexy and intimate. This track proves to be about making love to the right woman and showing all of your devotion and love towards her.
"Reach down and feel how strong my love grows, just for you"
The sixth track within the album has one of the most interesting titles I have come across in a long time and it is called 'Different Drugs'. Drums and keyboards open up this song with a repetitive rhythmic beat. Yet again this another slow and emotive song... The different drugs represent the different wants and desires between the two individuals who aren't really willing to compromise.
"It started as a joyride, just a way to let off steam, but now we're running off the road cause you're asleep at the wheel."
She wants to die and he wants to keep her spirit and presence alive and working things out appears to be an uncompromisable situation. Either he lets her go to be on her own and suffer with her demonic thoughts about ending her life or he gets dragged down with her.
As the album progresses, there wasn't as much differenciation between tracks as I initially thought there was when I listen to the album all the way through before reviewing it... 'Into The Earth' is the next track and it is structured similarly to the opening track - 'The Love Within'. All I have to say about this song is that they like their drugs!
"I'll sing you Al Green songs, I'm just trying to gently blur the lines with my trusty sinsemilla."
For all of you that don't know what sensimilla is; it is a very rare and strong form of marijuana as when translated from Spanish it means 'without seeds'. 'My True Name' has a groovy guitar picking intro, however the beat remains pretty constant throughout. Following this song is 'Virtue' and this track brings the techno element back into the album, whereas 'Exes' bounces back to that slow indie/alternative genre and this song is about wanting to go back and apologise to his exes for how he left them. The song to close off the album is called 'Living Lux', and this is about being discriminated against for being poor when they can afford a life of luxury and they show off with their lobster and Moët. This could be to do with the transition of becoming famous and what life was like before, and the early stages of their success.
In conclusion the first half of the album was flawless, but as I was evaluating it, I realised as the album progressed it became quite repetitive in some areas... On the other hand when I listened to it before I reviewed it, I loved it - as I wasn't tearing the songs apart. The album is good, it is just the second half that lets it down a bit and I wouldn't recommend listening to the deluxe version as you'd probably lose interest when you hit track 12. I prefer their more techno work, but that's just my personal preference. Overall it was a good album and I wouldn't really say that Bloc Party have disappointed me, because I like the album when I aren't thinking about it - it's just the rhythm doesn't tend to change. Regardless of these points the lyricist is an incredibly talented individual. The lyrics are unbelievably well thought out and I was really impressed. I would recommend the album though, as long as you aren't going to tear it apart like I have!
8/10
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