If there's one gripe Bloc Party aren't entitled to it's that they haven't had enough media attention over the last eighteen months. For Bloc Party are this year's Franz Ferdinand as the most hyped indie act of this year. The question is: is this attention warranted? The answer can probably only be truly answered in a few years time when the dust has settled but for now 'Silent Alarm' serves as a fine, confident statement of intent. It's a debut bristling with intent, comprising the modish punk/funk guitar sound (the usual Gang Of Four references abound), intense drumming provided by a Stephen Morris soundalike and Kele Okereke's angsty South London-esque vocals. For the majority of the time, the group play with such a ferocious energy there's barely time to draw breath with the single 'Banquet' and the frantic 'The Pioneers', in particular, standing out. To sweeten the pill there's solace via the dreamy 'So Here We Are' and the twinkling chimes of 'Blue Light'. There are times when Bloc Party seem to be opting for an almost self-consciously cool approach but generally this is a strong and frequently thrilling record.