London-based indie rockers Bloc Party have accumulated quite the arsenal of cool and captivating music videos. From the cinematic to the colorful to the animated to the optically poetic, each one has a unique treatment.
Bloc Party released their not-so-cleverly titled fourth album “Four” a couple weeks ago. The first single and video “Octopus” is a huge reminder of how visually creative and prolific they are.
I was one of the first American journalists to interview the band back during their 2004 debut. At the time, Bloc Party had 4 videos – “Banquet,” “So Here We Are,” “Little Thoughts” and “Helicopter.”
Now there are 15 videos, all conveniently collected here in one place. Ranked in order of my personal favorites.
1. So Here We Are
Aesthetically pleasing scenes of autumn in the English countryside followed by London streetscapes.
2. Little Thoughts
The band bathed in colorful animated geometric shapes.
3. Pioneers
Cartoon versions of the Bloc Party performing. Similar vibe to Gorillaz.
4. I Still Remember
A Bloc Party Eurail adventure.
5. Banquet
Beautiful black and white with the occasional splash of color.
6. Helicopter
The band engulfed in TV snow.
7. Flux
Goofy Godzilla-like monsters and giant robots dance an wreak havoc on a city. Fun.
8. The Prayer
Dance club lesbian make out scene. ‘Nuff said.
9. Mercury
Bizarre simian treehouse politician motif. Amusing.
10. One More Chance
Retro scenes in a suburban house with tacky décor.
11. Talons
Nothing notable except a shirtless Kele Okereke.
12. Hunting for Witches
Pure performance. Nothing special. Not every Bloc Party video can be avant-garde.
13. Tulips
Splitscreen performance scenes. Kind of boring.
14. Two More Years
Fluorescent lights surround the band. Cool cinematography.
15. One Month Off
Tanks and fighter jets destroy various fairy tale characters including Rapunzel, Humpty Dumpty and Little Miss Muffet. Kind of strange. Not really worth watching.
