Intimacy

For its third studio outing, INTIMACY, the British rock group Bloc Party makes a notable departure from the post-punk/shoegazer-influenced SILENT ALARM and the arena-ready WEEKEND IN THE CITY, opting for a boldly wide-ranging set of songs that often boasts a shiny techno veneer. In fact, INTIMACY's first two tracks, "Ares" and "Mercury," recall the more aggressive side of the Chemical Brothers, which isn't entirely surprising, since Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke collaborated with the electronica duo in the past. While some fans, particularly aficionados of ALARM, may be disheartened by such a sonic shift, the scorching "Halo" keeps the torch of earlier albums burning, and "Signs" picks up on the ensemble's occasional ambient leanings, showing that Bloc Party can maintain some bearings even as it sets out towards unfamiliar waters.