Silent Alarm by Bloc Party

This album is catching on fast. I purchased it three weeks ago. Since, then I've heard its songs on two simultaneous episodes of "The O.C." (not exactly a bad thing, since the show has featured Modest Mouse)

In medical school, we were graded on a three point scale: Honors, Pass, and Fail. If I had to grade this one, I'd give it a pass, a very high pass. It just misses the top score because of it's lack of innovation. The band's sound is a diverse mix of both American and British indie rock. Listening to it simultaneously reminds me of The Cure and Sonic Youth. More recent influences are Interpol and Franz Ferdinand. The good thing is that none of the songs sound exactly like any of the group's predecessors.

Despite what I've written above, I find this album impossible not to like. Both the songwriting and musical proficiency of the band are exceptionally competent. The songs themselves are very catchy. It only took two listens for the stronger tracks to get stuck in my head. Also, the rhythm section is the best I've heard in years.

Containing 14 tracks, the album is quite diverse. If someone was interested in downloading the the rockers, I'd suggest the first three tracks "Like Eating Grass" "Helicopter" or "Positive Tension." For their pretty side, I'd try "This Modern Love" and "So Here We Are."