Bloc Party

I bought Bloc Party's A Weekend in the City today - but I have yet to even open the annoying plastic wrapping. I haven't been too impressed with what I've heard so far - but if the band can hold together, I think their next album will be absolutely incredible.

Of course, some of the criticism I've heard has nothing to do with the music. It seems that for the music press, any band that at least tries to use their music for political purposes is asking for ridicule. Caring about something is one of the least cool things to do because it shows a form of vulnerability. U2, Midnight Oil, Coldplay, Sting - I think with the exception of The Clash, bands that wear their political beliefs on their sleeves have taken their share of potshots. It sort of brings to question whether or not an artist can retain their hipster or indie credibility and still be active on the political front. 'course, the coolest artists out there say "fuck your indie labels, I'm doing whatever the hell I feel like."

Like Bob Mould before him, Kele Okerke is making some press not for his band's perceived sophomore slump, but his sexuality. http://music.guardian.co.uk/rock/story/0,,1984350,00.html

The song "I Still Remember," as Okerke said in the Guardian interview, is partially autobiographical (but seriously, isn't almost any song written by an artist, no matter the subject, partially autobiographical since the artist almost has to draw on his/her own experiences for the lyrics?). Okerke has said he has struggled with his sexual identity. Kudos for him for publicly revealing this and refusing to "take one side of the fence." I keep telling folks that bisexuality doesn't mean a black check for promiscuous behavior - it's just the way some folks are wired.

Moving on ... I'm in a serious Brit pop/rock phase right now. I just picked up Pulp's We Love Life used and last night, I was combing through the lyrics to This is Hardcore. The lyrics to "Like a Friend" sum up a good cross-section of my friends: ones who you pretty much know don't value your friendship as much as you do theirs, but they remain the mates that challenge you and excite you more than anyone else in your circle...

Don't bother saying you're sorry.
Why don't you come in?
Smoke all my cigarettes - againe.
Every time I get no further.
How long has it been?
Come on in now,
Wipe your feet on my dreams.

You take up my time,
Like some cheap magazine,
When I could have been learning something.
Oh well, you know what I mean.

I've done this before.
And I will do it again.
Come on and kill me baby,
while you smile like a friend.
And I'll come running,
Just to do it again.

You are the last drink I never should drunk.
You are the body hidden in the trunk.
You are the habit I can't seem to kick.
You are my secrets on the front page every week.
You are the car I never should have bought.
You are the train I never should have caught.
You are the cut that makes me hide my face.
You are the party that makes me feel my age.

Like a car crash I can see but I just can't avoid.
Like a plane I've been told I never should board.
Like a film that's so bad but I've gotta stay til the end.
Let me tell you now,
It's lucky for you that we're friends.