{{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = Silent Alarm | type = studio | artist = Bloc Party | cover = Silentalarmcover.jpg | border = yes | alt = Mostly white album cover with winter image of grey tree line in distance, captioned "BLOC PARTY." and (much smaller) "SILENT ALARM" below it. | released = {{start date|2005|2|2|df=y}} | recorded = June and July 2004 | venue = | studio = {{Collapsible list|title=Various|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:12px;background:transparent;text-align:left|{{plainlist| * Deltalab Studios<br><small>(Copenhagen, Denmark)</small> * Miloco Studios<br><small>(London, England)</small> * The Exchange<br><small>(London, England)</small> }}}} | genre = {{flatlist| * Indie rock * post-punk revival * dance punk<ref name=RS/> * art punk<ref name="AMG"/>}} | length = {{Duration|m=50|s=35}} | label = Wichita | producer = Paul Epworth, Bloc Party | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = A Weekend in the City | next_year = 2007 | misc = {{Singles | name = Silent Alarm | type = studio | single1 = Helicopter | single1date = 25 October 2004 | single2 = So Here We Are" / "Positive Tension | single2date = 31 January 2005 | single3 = Banquet | single3date = 25 April 2005 | single4 = The Pioneers | single4date = 18 July 2005 }} }}
'''''Silent Alarm''''' is the debut studio album by English rock band Bloc Party. Recorded in Copenhagen and London in mid-2004 with Paul Epworth as producer, it was released on 2 February 2005, by Wichita Recordings. The album peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, it entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at number 114 and the ''Billboard'' Independent Albums at number seven. "Helicopter", the double A-side "So Here We Are/Positive Tension", "Banquet" and "The Pioneers" were released as singles. ''Silent Alarm'' went on to achieve worldwide sales of over one million copies.
Bloc Party aimed to create an album that appealed to followers of different musical genres. Building on the arrangements in their demo songs recorded in 2004, the band members moulded tracks largely through live takes during the ''Silent Alarm'' studio sessions. The compositional focus was on rhythm procured by guitar riffs and the drum and bass parts, while lyricist Kele Okereke's writing examined the feelings and hopes of young adults, including views on global politics. Following the album's completion, Bloc Party embarked on promotional tours before its release.
''Silent Alarm'' garnered widespread critical acclaim upon release, with praise often centered on its fast tempo and passionate delivery. Later in 2005, it was remixed as ''Silent Alarm Remixed'' and was re-released with bonus tracks to coincide with Bloc Party's worldwide touring schedule. The album has received accolades throughout the music industry since its release.
== Background == In 2003, Bloc Party consisted of guitarists Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, and bassist Gordon Moakes.<ref name="Observer">{{Cite news|author=McLean, Craig|title=21st-century boy|work=The Observer|page=14|date=7 January 2007|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jan/07/popandrock.features1|access-date=29 June 2019|archive-date=29 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929063058/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jan/07/popandrock.features1|url-status=live}}</ref> After drummer Matt Tong auditioned and joined the trio, the band members' songwriting evolved and they started crafting tracks for ''Silent Alarm''. Discussing the first demo "She's Hearing Voices", Okereke has stated that it "was really just a drum beat, which was something we couldn't do before because we relied on writing songs only with guitars".<ref name="onelouder">{{cite web|url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/2005/03/an_interview_wi_3.html|title=An Interview With Bloc Party|publisher=FREEwilliamsburg|date=22 March 2005|access-date=10 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124073333/http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/2005/03/an_interview_wi_3.html|archive-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> Self-recorded in a small, hired space in Acton, London, the song was followed by the May 2004 double A-side single, "Banquet/Staying Fat", produced by Paul Epworth. ''Bloc Party EP'' was subsequently released by Moshi Moshi Records in the UK, containing all three previous songs and new material.<ref name=MM>{{cite web|url=http://www.moshimoshimusic.com/artists/bloc-party|title=Bloc Party (Biography)|publisher=Moshi Moshi Records|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718215146/http://www.moshimoshimusic.com/artists/bloc-party|archive-date=18 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Following exposure with British magazines and newspapers and a successful performance on BBC Radio 1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/music/2004/02/clubvelocity.shtml |title=Club Velocity – February 2004: Bands|publisher=BBC|date=12 February 2004|access-date=25 March 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041213171437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/music/2004/02/clubvelocity.shtml |archive-date = 13 December 2004}}</ref> Bloc Party received a contract offer from Parlophone. The band members declined the opportunity because they did not want to work for a major record label and instead signed a recording contract with East London indie label Wichita Recordings,<ref name="DIS"/> chosen because it did not want to stamp its agenda on the conception of records.<ref name=skyc>{{Cite news |author = Moeller, Sean|title=Bloc Party [Interview]|work=Skyscraper|pages=68–71|date=Spring 2005}}</ref> Frontman and chief writer Okereke wanted ''Silent Alarm'' to emphasise the importance of finding pleasure in small mundane things, because "those are the sort of things that can be incredibly touching". The album was born out of "a nagging youthful urgency" and the realisation that responsibility has to be taken for the first time as a young adult.<ref name=TO>{{Cite news |author = Heawood, Sophie|title=Brain Bloc|work=Time Out|type=Student Guide|page=8|date=September 2005}}</ref> Before recording started, Okereke attended singing lessons to open up his voice.<ref name=skyc/>
== Recording == In June 2004, Bloc Party convened at Deltalab Studios in Copenhagen to make ''Silent Alarm'' with Paul Epworth.<ref name=inlay/> The band had already written demo songs to record, but Okereke has noted that "it is a creative process and you have to let yourself be inspired while you're in the studio as well".<ref name="onelouder"/> The Deltalab set-up posed problems, because it included bare mains cables and dated, malfunctioning equipment from the 1960s and 1970s.<ref name=MM/> Bloc Party took three sessions to get acquainted with Epworth's methodology. The producer has called the recording time a "growing process" because Okereke was not wholly comfortable singing in front of people, especially after tonsil problems.<ref name=SOS/> Although the band members had preliminary ideas about a track's rhythm, they did not know how songs were going to start or end. Okereke often asked Tong to play something on the drums, which inspired him to mould a track by adding guitar chords to the beat.<ref name="onelouder"/>
{{quote box|quote="There is a real sense of space and atmosphere that you will hear in a techno-house style [but] you will not hear in a three-minute guitar pop song. It is a very difficult thing to try to put the two together without sounding lame. We are excited by it. The two songs 'Positive Tension' and 'She's Hearing Voices' are examples..."<ref name="ind"/>|source=—Kele Okereke, on Bloc Party's goal when making ''Silent Alarm''|width=25%|align=right|style=padding:8px}} Bloc Party's priority when recording ''Silent Alarm'' was "to give the music more depth, sonically speaking" rather than focus on making a punk funk record.<ref name=NOW/> The band believed that 21st-century rock music could only survive if people started "mixing styles that aren't supposed to be together". Okereke has suggested that forward-thinking bands reach a plateau and start to question the boundaries of their medium; this leads to experimentation with elements from other genres. Bloc Party set out to explore the idea of merging different styles in the debut album, rather than in later work.<ref name=ind/> ''Silent Alarm'' was crafted to appeal to R&B, electro, and pop fans, on top of the band's core indie rock fanbase.<ref name=NMEJAN/> Okereke wanted the album to sound "very rich and full".<ref name=NOW/>
Preferring live recording takes for better sound authenticity,<ref name=SOS/> Epworth's style separated the band's elements by accentuating the bass and by allowing the guitarists space to improvise.<ref name=COLLPE>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A4757231|title=Producer power|author=Yates, Steve|work=Collective|date=5 August 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213184227/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A4757231|archive-date=13 February 2006}}</ref> The producer meticulously tuned and retuned the components of the drum kit for a specific sound and used ribbon or condenser microphones lined up in an equidistant formation.<ref name=SOS/> According to Lissack, the basic idea was to emulate the "optimum audio representation" of songs heard in a club environment by adding guitar lines on top of boosted drum and bass tracks.<ref name=mean>{{Cite news |author = Brooks, Caryn|title=Bloc Party [Interview]|work=Mean|page=26|date=April–May 2005}}</ref> Epworth advised Bloc Party to shape dynamics "a bit more subtly". As the sessions progressed, the band members started experimenting with distortion pedals to add to their "chiming, clean guitar sound",<ref name=SOS/> although they did not listen to the producer about song structure.<ref name=NOW/> In the end, 15 tracks were recorded in 22 days in Copenhagen,<ref name=MM/> while the vocal overdubbing was subsequently done at London locations.<ref name=SOS>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan09/articles/epworth.htm|title=Paul Epworth: Producing Almost Everyone|author=Inglis, Sam|work=Sound on Sound|date=January 2009|access-date=30 October 2009|archive-date=7 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907054646/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan09/articles/epworth.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the studio sessions, Okereke focused closely on the nuances of songs by often amending "microscopics".<ref name=westword/>
Epworth's bass-oriented production was key to creating a universally appealing album and was also used as a musical background to the lyrics.<ref name="helio"/> Okereke has explained that the songs were crafted to balance dark lyrics with uplifting melodies.<ref name="ind">{{Cite news |author = Cripps, Charlotte|title=Rock around the Bloc|work=The Independent|page=49|date=27 April 2005}}</ref> He called the final version of ''Silent Alarm'' "technicolour" due to its stylistic choices and indicated that Bloc Party achieved the aim of making the songs sound "better and bigger" when they were recorded in the studio.<ref name="onelouder"/><ref name="Pitchfork"/> Moakes later pointed out that the band members were relative novices when they entered the recording sessions, and that for the most part they only did what they were advised; this is an additional reason why the album is disjunct and not focused on any particular musical style.<ref name="helio">{{Cite news |author = Lanz, Michelle|title=Bloc Party: No More Working For The Weekend |work=Helio |page=37|date=Spring 2007 }}</ref>
== Composition ==
=== Music === {{Listen |filename = Bloc Party - Banquet.ogg |title = "Banquet" |description = The syncopated forward rhythm and staccato guitar style in "Banquet" are typical of the rest of ''Silent Alarm''.<ref name="sheetmusic"/> }}
Many of the arrangements on ''Silent Alarm'' are strongly percussive. The leading song, "Like Eating Glass", was inspired by a remix of The Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" Okereke heard in 2002.<ref name="westword">{{cite web |url=http://www.westword.com/2005-05-19/music/bloc-buster|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608083208/http://www.westword.com/2005-05-19/music/bloc-buster/|archive-date=2011-06-08|title=Bloc Buster|author=Singer, Maya|work=Westword|date=19 May 2005|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> Its drum track was deliberately mixed louder than usual to add emphasis to the album's opening.<ref>{{Cite news |author = Simpson, Dave|title=You will become bitter enemies|work=The Guardian|page=8|type=Features|date=4 February 2005}}</ref> "Helicopter" has a quick tempo of 171 beats per minute, while "Positive Tension" begins with a solitary bassline and builds up pace, first with a rhythmic drumming pattern, and then with a guitar solo towards its conclusion. "Banquet" involves lead guitar and rhythm guitar playing in syncopation, while "Blue Light" has a slower tempo and a crescendo towards the end.<ref name="sheetmusic"/> During the studio sessions, the ''Bloc Party'' EP version of "She's Hearing Voices" was reworked to include reverberation and stereo separation of the instrumental parts.<ref name=mean/> "This Modern Love" begins minimally with panned vocals before the rhythm section enters the mix and the song intensifies.<ref name=westword/>
The second half of ''Silent Alarm'' includes more studio effects. "Pioneers" opens with a series of delayed guitar harmonics,<ref name="sheetmusic"/> while "Price of Gas" is driven by a marching-like sound created by Moakes walking in the studio with planks of wood strapped to his feet.<ref name=NOW>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/art/story.cfm?content=146559|title=Bloc Party: Brash Brit-rock next big things poised for superstardom|work=Now|author=Perlich, Tim|date=31 March 2005|access-date=13 January 2010|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605025407/http://www.nowtoronto.com/art/story.cfm?content=146559|url-status=live}}</ref> "So Here We Are" is the only track on the album to not include vocal overdubbing.<ref name=SOS/> The song contains layered audio tracks of guitar and is followed by "Luno", which begins with 32 bars of bass guitar and drums. "Plans" has a slower tempo and uses a synthesiser and effects such as flanging during the chorus. The final track, "Compliments", incorporates an electronic drum kit and the use of reverberation.<ref name="sheetmusic">Commercial sheet music for ''Silent Alarm''. Wichita Recordings Music Publishing. February 2005. Distributed by International Music Publications.</ref>
=== Lyrics === ''Silent Alarm'' does not contain a solitary lyrical centre and simply observes people's lives.<ref name="ind"/> Okereke wanted to leave individual listeners space to make their own conclusions, but has admitted that the record "operates in the realm of cultural politics".<ref name="pitchforkint">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6128-bloc-party/|title=Bloc Party (Interview)|author=Warren, Jamin|work=Pitchfork|date=29 August 2005|access-date=7 May 2008|archive-date=18 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318030022/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6128-bloc-party/|url-status=live}}</ref> Much of the songwriting is inspired by the style of confessional poetry authors like Anne Sexton and musicians Thom Yorke and Björk.<ref name=lyrics/> In general, ''Silent Alarm'' tries to make clear an existential pointlessness in life. With hindsight, Okereke noted themes of "helplessness and weariness" because of the album's focus on how he was feeling between the ages of 18 and 20.<ref name=ind/> Professor John Sutherland has pointed out literary elements, often similar to Sylvia Plath's work, in the lyricist's writing. Discussing the opening track "Like Eating Glass", he explained, "It strikes me that whoever did the lyrics must have read some of her work. It has the same rather jagged, surprising imagery. It could sit fairly comfortably in a poetry anthology." The recurring line "We've got crosses on our eyes" is inspired by cartoon characters who have crosses on their eyes when they die. Okereke tried to convey the feelings in a failing relationship, "of being completely disorientated", using childhood metaphors.<ref name=lyrics>{{Cite news |author = Harris, John|author-link=John Harris (critic)|title=Riddle of the bands|work=The Guardian|page=4|type=Features|date=24 June 2005}}</ref>
According to Heather Phares of AllMusic, "The Pioneers" and "Price of Gasoline" exemplify the political undercurrent on ''Silent Alarm'', the latter including the explicit chant "War / War / War / War".<ref name="AMG"/> "Helicopter" focuses in equal measure on America's "red states" and on UK apathy and "the people queueing for the McDonald's by [Okereke's] house".<ref>{{Cite news |author = Maerz, Melissa|title=Noise: Bands to watch – Bloc Party|work=Spin|page=40|date=April 2005}}</ref> "Positive Tension" concerns boredom and its dangers, focusing on how it "can lead you into dark places",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A3648819|title=Bloc Party interview|author=Segal, Victoria|work=Collective|date=11 February 2005|access-date=31 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215064002/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A3648819|archive-date=15 February 2006}}</ref> while "Banquet" details "how sex is about power, submission, domination and real rapacious desire".<ref>{{Cite news |author = Jonze, Tim|title=The ride of their lives|work=NME|page=24|date=16 April 2005}}</ref> The lyrics in the chorus of "She's Hearing Voices", "Red pill / Blue pill / Milk of amnesia", are in reference to the medications a friend of Okereke's took to relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia.<ref name="Observer"/> The lyricist has described the moment in "This Modern Love" when the backing vocals enter the mix before the second chorus as "perfect", because it evokes the idea of "two people on the telephone, who can't touch each other, and as the song and the conversation progress, everything amplifies".<ref name=westword/>
== Promotion and release == [[File:BPMA32005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=Two guitarists and a drummer are performing a song live on a stage lit by blue concert lights|Bloc Party on stage at Manchester Academy 3 on 29 January 2005 during the ''NME'' Awards Tour]]
''Bloc Party EP'' was distributed in America in September 2004 by Dim Mak Records, while the band performed several gigs at the end of the year in the US and Canada.<ref name=skyc/> The release of ''Silent Alarm'' was preceded by the marketing of ''Little Thoughts EP'' in Japan in December 2004, containing previous UK singles "Little Thoughts/Tulips" and "Helicopter" and new material.<ref name=LTEP>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000657LWO|title=Little Thoughts (Single) (Import): Bloc Party|publisher=Amazon|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003035038/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000657LWO|url-status=live}}</ref> Bloc Party commenced UK promotional touring in January 2005 by performing during the ''NME'' Awards Tour.<ref name=NMETOUR>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/18941|title=Bloc Bookings!|work=NME|date=12 January 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013024924/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/18941|url-status=live}}</ref> "Tulips" was released from ''Little Thoughts EP'' in the US on 25 January.<ref name=tulips>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000784XAI|title=Tulips (Single) (Enhanced): Bloc Party|publisher=Amazon|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003034929/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000784XAI|url-status=live}}</ref> The second single from ''Silent Alarm'', "So Here We Are/Positive Tension", was released on 31 January and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, the band's second highest peaking release on the chart (behind 2007's "The Prayer" which reached number 4).<ref name="everyhit">{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/|title=UK Top 40 Hit Database|publisher=EveryHit|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=13 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913103452/http://www.everyhit.com/|url-status=live}} ''Note: User search required.''</ref> Between 31 January and 4 February, Bloc Party performed after autograph signing sessions in UK HMV stores.<ref name=NMETOUR/> The band achieved exposure largely because of word-of-mouth and favourable press reviews.<ref name=bbsales/>
''Silent Alarm'' was released on 2 and 14 February 2005, in Japan and Europe respectively.<ref name=bbsales>{{Cite magazine |author1=Garrity, Brian |author2=Brandle, Lars |title=Vice Throws Bloc Party|magazine=Billboard|pages=5, 62|date=19 March 2005}}</ref> Chosen because the album has a sense of disquiet, the name comes from an article in ''New Scientist'' about an early detection system for earthquakes in Japan,<ref name=NMEJAN>{{Cite news |author = Jonze, Tim|title=The Facts Of '05|work=NME|page=27|date=15 January 2005}}</ref> while the cover art is based on a bare winter landscape by freelance photographer Ness Sherry.<ref name=inlay/> Bloc Party followed the album's release with a short European promotional tour in early March 2005.<ref name=BPEU>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/bloc-party/7637|title=Bloc Party/Mystery Jets/Chromeo/Battle : London Kentish Town Forum|work=NME|date=31 March 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=10 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610141215/http://www.nme.com/reviews/bloc-party/7637|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 17 March and 9 April, the band undertook a first headlining US tour to coincide with the American release of ''Silent Alarm'' through Vice Records on 22 March.<ref name=USFEB>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/19114|title=Party Season In America|work=NME|date=2 February 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013024943/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/19114|url-status=live}}</ref> The US marketing was geared to establish a long-term fan base among "tastemakers and early-adopter rock enthusiasts", rather than a short-term emphasis on radio play. At the time, Okereke stated, "All I’m concerned about is playing live shows here to people who want to see us."<ref name=bbsales/>
== Reception ==
=== Commercial === ''Silent Alarm'' entered the UK Albums Chart and the Irish Albums Chart at number three,<ref name=everyhit/><ref name="IrishCharts">{{cite web| url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/musicvideo/music/archive/index.jsp| title=Irish Music Charts Archive| publisher=Chart-Track| access-date=20 June 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415122124/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/musicvideo/music/archive/index.jsp| archive-date=15 April 2012| url-status=dead}} ''Note: User search required.''</ref> selling 61,737 copies during the first week in the former country.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The official UK albums chart|work=Music Week|type=Top 75|date=26 February 2005}}</ref> The album achieved gold certification within 24 hours of its European release.<ref name=Q05>{{Cite news |author = Davis, Johnny|title=Blues Brothers|work=Q|page=62|date=June 2005}}</ref> 350,000 copies were shipped worldwide by the first week of March 2005; 20,000 were sent to America, double the record labels' January forecast.<ref name=bbsales/> In the US, the record entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at number 114 and the ''Billboard'' Top Independent Albums at number seven.<ref name=BBCH>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=bloc party|chart=all}} |title=Bloc Party: Album & Song Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=20 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822150806/http://www.billboard.com/artist/290634/bloc+party/chart |archive-date=22 August 2008 }}</ref> With little radio support, it became the best-selling release in Vice's history as a label.<ref name="sales">{{Cite magazine |author = Garrity, Brian|title=Second Time Around The Bloc|magazine=Billboard|page=33|date=13 January 2007}}</ref> 123,000 copies of ''Silent Alarm'' were sold in the US by the end of July 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andpop.com/2005/07/21/bloc-party-to-release-remix-of-debut-album/|title=Bloc Party to Release Remix of Debut Album|author=Lam, Eva|publisher=AndPOP|date=21 July 2005|access-date=15 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719045310/http://www.andpop.com/2005/07/21/bloc-party-to-release-remix-of-debut-album/|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The record was listed at number 75 in the end-of-year UK Album Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry after more than 500,000 copies were sold in the UK during 2005.<ref name="sales"/><ref>{{cite journal|title = The Official UK Albums Chart: 2005|journal = ChartsPlus|issue = Special Issue, January 2006|page=4|publisher = Musiqware|location = Milton Keynes}}</ref> According to Nielsen SoundScan, 280,000 copies of the album were sold in the US by January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0629397220070107|title=UK rockers Bloc Party seeking U.S. breakthrough|author=Garrity, Brian|work=Reuters|date=7 January 2007|access-date=9 April 2009|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003034930/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0629397220070107|url-status=live}}</ref> By August 2012 it had sold 379,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480335/bloc-party-shakes-off-breakup-rumors-comes-back-strong-on-four|title=Bloc Party Shakes Off Breakup Rumors, Comes Back Strong on 'Four'|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=21 August 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 October 2017|archive-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425024018/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480335/bloc-party-shakes-off-breakup-rumors-comes-back-strong-on-four|url-status=live}}</ref> At least 88,800 copies were sold in France.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/V_CD_05.php?debut=100|title=InfoDisc : Les Meilleurs Ventes de CD (Albums) en 2005|date=1 November 2008|website=InfoDisc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115040810/http://www.infodisc.fr/V_CD_05.php?debut=100|archive-date=15 November 2008|access-date=31 December 2017}}</ref> More than one million copies have been sold worldwide.<ref name=clash/>
=== Critical === {{Album ratings |MC=82/100<ref name="Metacritic"/> |rev1=AllMusic |rev1score={{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AMG"/> |rev2=''Entertainment Weekly'' |rev2score=A−<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/ew-reviews-two-british-bands/|title=EW reviews two British bands|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=4 April 2005|access-date=7 February 2018|last=Gunatilaka|first=Timothy|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208004723/http://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/ew-reviews-two-british-bands/|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev3=''The Guardian'' |rev3score={{rating|3|5}}<ref name="AP"/> |rev4=''The Independent'' |rev4score={{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Bloc Party: Silent Alarm (Wichita)|work=The Independent|date=11 February 2005|last=Gill|first=Andy}}</ref> |rev5=''Los Angeles Times'' |rev5score={{rating|3|4}}<ref name="LAT Review">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-10-ca-rack10-story.html|title=Dishing off shards of post-punk passion|work=Los Angeles Times|date=4 April 2005|access-date=7 February 2018|last=Cromelin|first=Richard|archive-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815084254/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/10/entertainment/ca-rack10|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev6=''NME'' |rev6score=9/10<ref name="NME"/> |rev7=''Pitchfork'' |rev7score=8.9/10<ref name=Pitchfork/> |rev8=''Q'' |rev8score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name=qmag/> |rev9=''Rolling Stone'' |rev9score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name=RS/> |rev10=''URB'' |rev10score={{rating|5|5}}<ref name=URB/> }} ''Silent Alarm'' received critical acclaim from critics; aggregating website Metacritic reports a normalised rating of 82 out of 100 based on 32 reviews which indicates "universal acclaim".<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/silent-alarm/bloc-party|title=Reviews for Silent Alarm by Bloc Party|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423075356/http://www.metacritic.com/music/silent-alarm/bloc-party|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Drowned in Sound''{{'}}s Gen Williams described the album as "mature and expansive" and wrote that "the autonomy, creativity and sheer, elastic beauty that spans this debut more than justifies the rapidly accelerating hype".<ref name="DIS">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3170/reviews/10964|title=Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|author=Williams, Gen|work=Drowned in Sound|date=14 January 2005|access-date=10 February 2009|archive-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206224740/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3170/reviews/10964|url-status=dead}}</ref> Andrew Romano of ''Newsweek'' similarly noted that it "lives up to the hype".<ref name=news>{{Cite news |author = Romano, Andrew|title=Under The Influence: Bloc Party|work=Newsweek|page=76|date=7 March 2005}}</ref> Summing the record up as "dance rock, but highly caffeinated", Barry Walters of ''Rolling Stone'' explained that the tracks are emotive and rhythmic in equal measure,<ref name=RS>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/silent-alarm-20050324|title=Silent Alarm|author=Walters, Barry|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=24 March 2005|access-date=10 February 2009|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210175731/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/silent-alarm-20050324|url-status=live}}</ref> while Nick Southall of ''Stylus Magazine'' thought that every song is "full of thrilling ideas and inspired moments".<ref name="Stylus">{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2746|title=Bloc Party: Silent Alarm|author=Southall, Nick|work=Stylus Magazine|date=14 February 2005|access-date=11 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926130750/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2746|archive-date=26 September 2008}}</ref> Johnny Davis of ''Q'' labelled ''Silent Alarm'' "an arty, confident and exhilarating debut",<ref name=qmag>{{Cite magazine|author = Davis, Johnny|title=Sheer Art Attack – Bloc Party: Silent Alarm|magazine=Q|issue=224|page=94|date=March 2005}}</ref> while Joshua Glazer of ''URB'' compared Bloc Party to "every legendary band ever who followed an EP with an even better album and on into greatness".<ref name=URB>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.urb.com/music/cds_blocparty.shtml|title=Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|author=Glazer, Joshua|magazine=URB|issue=125|page=100|date=April 2005|access-date=2 August 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313171304/http://www.urb.com/music/cds_blocparty.shtml|archive-date=13 March 2006}}</ref> ''The Guardian''{{'}}s Alexis Petridis was less receptive and commented that the "reedy vocals and lyrical evocations of suburban ennui ... induce a worrying ennui of their own".<ref name="AP">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/11/popandrock.shopping|title=Bloc Party, Silent Alarm (Wichita)|author=Petridis, Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|work=The Guardian|date=11 February 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=7 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107200444/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/11/popandrock.shopping|url-status=live}}</ref> Heather Phares of AllMusic stated that the record is not perfect, but praised its "passion and polish".<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/silent-alarm-mw0000340235|title=Silent Alarm – Bloc Party|author=Phares, Heather|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2 January 2026}}</ref>
Romano and Glazer compared ''Silent Alarm'' to U2's early work,<ref name=news/><ref name=URB/> while Walters claimed that it distills "twenty-five years of spiky British rock, from The Cure to Blur to hot Scots Franz Ferdinand".<ref name=RS/> ''Pitchfork''{{'}}s Nitsuh Abebe noted particular similarities between "Banquet" and Franz Ferdinand's second single "Take Me Out", calling both songs "wonderfully tight and energetic—the same kind of spiffy half-dancing rock".<ref name=Pitchfork>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1130-silent-alarm/|title=Bloc Party: Silent Alarm|author=Abebe, Nitsuh|work=Pitchfork|date=14 February 2005|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203022527/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15854-bloc-party-silent-alarm <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=3 February 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Phares suggested that Bloc Party are more comfortable with lyrical proclamations than their contemporaries Franz Ferdinand or The Futureheads,<ref name="AMG"/> while Imran Ahmed of ''NME'' concluded, "''Silent Alarm'' is no ''Franz Ferdinand''. In fact, listen to it with the words 'popular' and 'arty' in mind and its spirit is closer to the Manic Street Preachers' ''The Holy Bible''."<ref name="NME">{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/bloc-party/7600|title=Bloc Party : Silent Alarm |author=Ahmed, Imran|work=NME|date=6 February 2005|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182654/http://www.nme.com/reviews/bloc-party/7600|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
== Tours and supporting releases == {{further|Silent Alarm Remixed}}
[[File:Bloc Party Warfield 05.jpg|thumb|right|200px|alt=A vocalist with a guitar, a drummer, and a bassist are performing a song live in concert. The vocalist is straining his delivery to convey range and dynamics to the performance.|Bloc Party in concert at The Warfield, San Francisco, on 21 September 2005]] By the end of April 2005, ''Silent Alarm'' had charted in eighteen countries on four continents.<ref name="ind"/> Bloc Party toured in Japan with The Rakes at the start of May and completed a headlining tour of the US in June.<ref name=rakes>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/world-of-music/the-rakes-progress-tales-from-a-band-on-the-road-1547369.html|title=The Rakes' progress: Tales from a band on the road|work=The Independent|date=7 February 2009|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=1 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401223441/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/world-of-music/the-rakes-progress-tales-from-a-band-on-the-road-1547369.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=poptour>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/bloc-party-050629.shtml|title=Fifteen Minutes with Bloc Party|publisher=PopMatters|author=Jagernauth, Kevin|date=29 June 2005|access-date=29 May 2009|archive-date=25 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725103138/http://popmatters.com/music/interviews/bloc-party-050629.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The band members played their first concerts in Australia in July and spent the whole of August on the European festivals circuit. The remix album ''Silent Alarm Remixed'' was released on 29 August 2005 following Bloc Party's headlining slots at the Reading and Leeds Festivals on 26–28 August.<ref name=NMEAUS1>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/20443|title=Bloc Party Sympathy For Bomb Victims|work=NME|date=12 July 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013024841/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/20443|url-status=live}}</ref> The record includes reworked versions of all original tracks by artists such as Ladytron, Death From Above 1979, and Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs.<ref name=XFM2/>
In September 2005, the band members embarked on their second major worldwide tour of the year; they played several gigs in North America between 8 and 24 September.<ref name=XFM>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2005/bloc-party-cancel-live-dates|title=Bloc Party Cancel Live Dates|publisher=Xfm|date=1 September 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=20 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120080108/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2005/bloc-party-cancel-live-dates|url-status=live}}</ref> Another headlining UK tour during the whole of October coincided with the release of new single "Two More Years".<ref name=NMEAUS1/><ref name=XFM2>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2005/x-clusive-bloc-party-people-need-a-break-from-us|title=X-clusive: Bloc Party "People Need A Break From Us!"|publisher=Xfm|date=25 August 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606172856/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2005/x-clusive-bloc-party-people-need-a-break-from-us|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Silent Alarm'' was re-released in the UK on 17 October 2005 with "Little Thoughts" and "Two More Years" as bonus tracks.<ref name=AMADEL>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000BI0QIW|title=Silent Alarm (CD + DVD) (Limited Edition)|publisher=Amazon|access-date=30 June 2009|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003034930/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000BI0QIW|url-status=live}}</ref> It contained a bonus DVD, ''God Bless Bloc Party'', which included Bloc Party's two June performances and backstage footage at El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles. Dan McIntosh of ''PopMatters'' stated that the concert documentary shows the band "can consistently pull off its material live", but concluded that it focuses on Bloc Party "much too intently, far too soon".<ref name=PMGBBL>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/b/blocparty-godblessdvd.shtml|title=Bloc Party: God Bless Bloc Party (DVD)|publisher=PopMatters|author=McIntosh, Dan|date=16 February 2006|access-date=29 May 2009|archive-date=26 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826143349/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/b/blocparty-godblessdvd.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2018, the band announced they would play the album in full for the first time. The tour would take place in October and November and would travel to Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin plus dates in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. A subsequent live recording would also be available. {{Clear}}
== Accolades and legacy == {{quote box|quote="''Silent Alarm'' didn't just make the band household names—it was a pivotal post-millennium release, effectively securing the reputation of its producer Paul Epworth and serving as a blueprint for domestic indie acts to follow: you can wear your heart on your sleeve while delivering punchy, pop-savvy rock music that appealed to radio heads and dancefloor doyens alike, and that bridged the commercial-critical divide brilliantly."<ref name=clash/>|source=—Mike Diver of ''Clash'' in 2009, on the record's importance to UK independent music|width=25%|align=right|style=padding:8px}}
''Silent Alarm'' was shortlisted for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize, but was beaten by Antony and the Johnsons' second album ''I Am a Bird Now''.<ref name="MMP">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4217140.stm|title=Antony and Johnsons win Mercury|publisher=BBC|date=17 September 2005|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-date=1 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201070901/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4217140.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also nominated for the 2005 Shortlist Music Prize, but lost to Sufjan Stevens' fifth album ''Illinois''.<ref name="NPA">{{cite web|url=http://www.shortlistofmusic.com/ |title=Shortlist Music Prize winners 2001–2007: Complete list of Finalists |publisher=Short List |access-date=28 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212014941/http://www.shortlistofmusic.com/ |archive-date=12 February 2013 }}</ref> The record was named Album of the Year for 2005 by ''NME'' ahead of Arcade Fire's debut album ''Funeral'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear|title=NME Albums & Tracks of the Year (2005)|work=NME|access-date=21 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413112951/http://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> by ''Intro'' in Germany,<ref name=gerintro>{{cite web|url=http://www.intro.de/kuenstler/interviews/23016114/bloc-party-you-are-our-number-one|author=Steinbrink, Christian|title=Bloc Party: You Are Our Number One|work=Intro|date=25 November 2005|access-date=20 June 2009|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085234/http://www.intro.de/kuenstler/interviews/23016114/bloc-party-you-are-our-number-one|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and by ''Rumore'' in Italy.<ref name=itarumore>{{Cite news |author = ''Rumore'' staff|title=Il Meglio Del 2005 (The Best Of 2005)|work=Rumore|type=pull-out section|date=December 2005|language=it}}</ref> ''URB'' included ''Silent Alarm'' in its unnumbered shortlist of the best records of 2005.<ref name="list"/> It figured highly in other end-of-year best album lists: at number two by ''Hot Press''<ref name=irehp>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2843437.html|author=''Hot Press'' staff|title=Critics' singles and albums of the year|work=Hot Press|date=8 January 2006|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=13 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213200242/http://hotpress.com/archive/2843437.html|url-status=live}} ''Note: Subscription required.''</ref> and by ''Stylus Magazine'', at number four by ''Drowned in Sound'', at number six by ''Spin'', at number seven by Metacritic's chief editor,<ref name="list">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml|title=Best of 2005: Music Critics' Year-End Top Ten Lists|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=25 March 2009|archive-date=5 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105092657/http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and at number nine by ''The Denver Post''.<ref>{{Cite news |author = ''The Denver Post'' music staff|title=Best of 2005|work=The Denver Post|page=F03|date=25 December 2005}}</ref> ''Silent Alarm'' earned Bloc Party several nominations, including Best Alternative Act at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510512/20050928/coldplay.jhtml|author=MTV staff|title=Coldplay, Gorillaz Lead MTV Europe Music Awards Nominations|publisher=MTV Europe|date=28 September 2005|access-date=25 March 2009|archive-date=21 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621230339/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510512/coldplay-gorillaz-lead-mtv-europe-nominations.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Best British Band at the 2006 ''NME'' Awards,<ref name="NMEA"/> and Artist of the Year at the 2006 PLUG Awards. The record itself won Indie Rock Album of the Year at the 2006 PLUG Awards.<ref name="PLUG">{{cite web|url=http://www.plugawards.com/award_nominees_2006.php|title=PLUG 2006 Nominees/Winners|publisher=PLUG|access-date=25 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220121612/http://www.plugawards.com/award_nominees_2006.php|archive-date=20 December 2008}}</ref> It was also nominated as Best Album at the 2006 ''NME'' Awards,<ref name="NMEA">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/nme-awards/22040|title=ShockWaves NME Awards 2006: The Shortlist|work=NME|date=23 January 2006|access-date=25 March 2009|archive-date=23 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623044512/http://www.nme.com/news/nme-awards/22040|url-status=live}}</ref> and as Album of the Year at the 2006 PLUG Awards.<ref name="PLUG"/>
In 2006, ''NME'' placed ''Silent Alarm'' at number 55 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever!,<ref name=NME100>{{Cite news |author = ''NME'' staff|title=100 Greatest British Albums Ever!|work=NME|type=pull-out section|date=28 January 2006}}</ref> while ''Drowned in Sound'' ranked it at number three in its list of the editorial staff's 66 favourite albums of 2000–2006.<ref name="sound66">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/1254995|title=DiS is 6: Our 66, the top six|author=Diver, Mike|work=Drowned in Sound|date=31 October 2006|access-date=28 March 2009|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301192659/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/1254995|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, ''Clash'' placed the record at number 11 in its list of the 50 Greatest Albums, 2004–2009.<ref name=clash>{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/clash-essential-50-14-11|work=Clash|author=Diver, Mike|title=Clash Essential 50: 14–11|date=14 April 2009|access-date=17 November 2009|archive-date=20 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420180419/http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/clash-essential-50-14-11|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, ''Pitchfork'' ranked it at number 156 in its list of The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7706-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-200-151/5/|work=Pitchfork|author=''Pitchfork'' staff|title=The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 200–151|date=28 September 2009|access-date=1 October 2009|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002234050/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7706-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-200-151/5/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while ''NME'' included it at number 38 in the list of The Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade decided by the publication's staff and music industry members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/7|work=NME|title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade: 40–31|date=11 November 2009|access-date=17 November 2009|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811153904/http://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/7|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, ''Stylus Magazine'' placed ''Silent Alarm'' at number 31 in its list of the Top Albums of the previous decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestylusdecade.com/albums4021.html|work=Stylus Magazine|author=''Stylus'' staff|title=The Stylus Decade: Top Albums 40–21|access-date=13 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111214842/http://thestylusdecade.com/albums4021.html|archive-date=11 January 2010}}</ref>
== Track listing == {{tracklist | all_writing = Bloc Party | title1 = Like Eating Glass | length1 = 4:22 | title2 = Helicopter | length2 = 3:40 | title3 = Positive Tension | length3 = 3:55 | title4 = Banquet | length4 = 3:21 | title5 = Blue Light | length5 = 2:47 | title6 = She's Hearing Voices | length6 = 3:29 | title7 = This Modern Love | length7 = 4:25 | title8 = The Pioneers | length8 = 3:35 | title9 = Price of Gasoline | length9 = 4:19 | title10 = So Here We Are | length10 = 3:52 | title11 = Luno | length11 = 3:57 | title12 = Plans | length12 = 4:10 | title13 = Compliments | length13 = 4:43 }} {{Track listing | headline = UK re-release bonus tracks | title14 = Little Thoughts | length14 = 3:30 | title15 = Two More Years | length15 = 4:28 }} {{Track listing | headline = Japanese bonus tracks | title14 = So Here We Are | note14 = Four Tet remix | length14 = 6:28 | title15 = Plans | note15 = Mogwai remix | length15 = 3:43 | title16 = The Pioneers <small>(M83 remix)</small>" / "Every Time Is the Last Time | length16 = 14:09 }} * Tracks 8 and 9 are labeled on some album pressings as "Pioneers" and "Price of Gas" respectively.<ref name="BP">{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/releases.php|title=Bloc Party: Releases|publisher=blocparty.com|access-date=25 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303095924/http://www.blocparty.com/releases.php <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=3 March 2009}}</ref>
'''CD hidden track''' * "Every Time Is the Last Time" – 3:10 – track 0 (pregap) on the UK and US editions and after track 13 on the European edition
'''Vinyl''' * There were two UK LP copies of ''Silent Alarm'' distributed by V2 Records: a standard black vinyl copy, and a limited edition picture disc version which has the album cover printed on Side A and the track listing printed on Side B. * The US LP issue was distributed by Dim Mak Records. It comprises two limited edition 12" records which additionally contain a track listing for "Every Time Is the Last Time" on Side A, the appearance of "Little Thoughts" on Side C, and four bonus remix tracks—two of "Positive Tension" (Jason Clark and Johnny Whitney) and two of "Price of Gas" (Automato and Jus Ske)—on Sides E and F.
'''DVD''' * A CD with an extra DVD was released in the UK and Europe in February 2005 at the same time as the normal CD version. The DVD portion contains live footage of Bloc Party at Heaven in London. * A new version of the CD with an extra DVD was released in the UK in October 2005. The DVD, titled ''God Bless Bloc Party'', contains a US tour documentary at El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, live footage of Bloc Party at the 2005 Eurockéennes Festival in Belfort, France, and nine music videos from the band's career. * ''God Bless Bloc Party'' was released as a stand-alone DVD in the US by ''Vice'' in January 2006, but did not include the music videos.
== Personnel == Those involved in the making of ''Silent Alarm'' are:<ref name="inlay">{{cite AV media notes |title=Silent Alarm |year=2005 |type=CD booklet and case back cover|publisher=Wichita Recordings |location=London}}</ref>
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Bloc Party''' * Kele Okereke – lead vocals, rhythm guitar * Russell Lissack – lead guitar * Gordon Moakes – bass, backing vocals, synthesiser * Matt Tong – drums, backing vocals
{{col-2}} '''Production''' * Paul Epworth – Record producer, programming (track 4) * Eliot James – recording (except tracks 4, 13), programming (except track 4), additional production * Mark "Top" Rankin – recording (tracks 4, 13) * Joe Hirst – recording assistant * "Fashion Show" – recording assistant * Rich Costey – mixing
'''Artwork''' * Ness Sherry – Album cover photograph * Paul Epworth – photography (except ''Russell'', ''Copenhagen'') * Matt Tong – photography (''Russell'', ''Copenhagen'') {{col-end}}
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Silent Alarm'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2005) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|title=Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (ALBUM)|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035223/https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 30 |- ! scope="row"| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|title=Bloc Party - Silent Alarm|publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 40|language=de|date=27 February 2005|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref> | 52 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/14f0/Bloc-Party-Silent-Alarm|title=Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref> | 14 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/album/14f0/Bloc-Party-Silent-Alarm|title=Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref> | 39 |- ! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|title=Albums : Top 100|website=Jam!|date=14 April 2005|access-date=4 December 2025|archive-date=17 April 2005|archive-url=https://webarchiveweb.wayback.bac-lac.canada.ca/web/20050417041937/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> | 63 |- ! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|title=Bloc Party - Silent Album|publisher=Dutch Charts|language=nl|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035028/https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 51 |- ! scope="row"| European Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/european-albums?chartDate=2005-03-05|title=European Albums – Week of March 05, 2005|magazine=Billboard|access-date=4 December 2025|archive-date=23 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123164329/http://www.billboard.com/charts/european-albums?chartDate=2005-03-05#/charts/european-albums?chartDate=2005-03-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 6 |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/bloc-party/albumi/silent-alarm/|title=Bloc Party: Silent Album|publisher=Suomen virallinen lista|language=fi|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035039/https://ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/bloc-party/albumi/silent-alarm/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 18 |- ! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|title=BLOC PARTY - SILENT ALARM (ALBUM)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=25 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425150914/https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 14 |- ! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-5360|title=Bloc Party: Silent Album [Album]|publisher=GfK Entertainment Charts|language=de|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035057/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-5360|url-status=live}}</ref> | 22 |- ! scope="row"| Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party|title=Discography Bloc Party|website=irish-charts.com|access-date=4 December 2025|archive-date=21 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021163928/http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/341725/products/|title=Bloc Party's Creations|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035147/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/341725/products/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 23 |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2005-03-11|title=Official Top 40 Albums|publisher=Recorded Music New Zealand|date=11 March 2005|access-date=23 March 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035039/https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2005-03-11|url-status=live}}</ref> | 36 |- ! scope="row"| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|title=BLOC PARTY - SILENT ALARM (ALBUM)|publisher=VG-lista|language=no|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035104/https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bloc+Party&titel=Silent+Alarm&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref> | 20 |- ! scope="row"| Scottish Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20050220/40/|title=Official Scottish Albums Chart|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=20 February 2005|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312025651/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20050220/40/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sverigetopplistan.se/chart/54/?dspy=2005&dspp=8|title=Weekly Album List, Week 8, 2005|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035322/https://sverigetopplistan.se/chart/54/?dspy=2005&dspp=8|url-status=live}}</ref> | 11 |- ! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/album/Bloc-Party/Silent-Alarm-5360|title=Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|publisher=Swiss Hitparade|language=de|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035038/https://hitparade.ch/album/Bloc-Party/Silent-Alarm-5360|url-status=live}}</ref> | 80 |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20050220/7502/|title=Official Albums Chart|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=20 February 2005|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035104/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20050220/7502/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| UK Independent Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20050220/131/|title=Official Independent Albums Chart|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=20 February 2005|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| UK R&B Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-hip-hop-and-r-and-b-albums-chart/20050417/115/|title=Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=17 April 2005|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035100/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-hip-hop-and-r-and-b-albums-chart/20050417/115/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 17 |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/tlp/|title=Bloc Party Chart History (Billboard 200)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117200645/https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/tlp/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 114 |- ! scope="row"| US Heatseekers Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/tln/|title=Bloc Party Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=31 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531035450/https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/tln/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| US Independent Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/ind/|title=Bloc Party Chart History (Independent Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 May 2025|archive-date=23 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123200913/https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/ind/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 7 |}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Silent Alarm''}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2006|access-date=9 August 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2011|access-date=9 August 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=France|artist=Bloc Party|title=Silent Alarm|award=Silver|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/page-259165.xml?year=2005&type=28|title=French album certifications – Bloc Party – Silent Alarm|language=fr|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|access-date=9 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913020712/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/page-259165.xml?year=2005&type=28|archive-date=13 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Ireland|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|access-date=9 August 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Bloc Party|title=Silent Alarm|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2026|access-date=1 June 2026|source=radioscope}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Bloc Party|title=Silent Alarm|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2005|certyear=2025|id=5876-1104-2|access-date=23 May 2025}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
== References == {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061208050103/http://www.blocparty.com/lyrics.php ''Silent Alarm'' lyrics] at Bloc Party official site * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110319002827/http://wireless.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml End-of-year critics' lists for 2005] at Metacritic
{{featured article}} {{Bloc Party}}
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Category:2005 debut albums Category:Bloc Party albums Category:Albums produced by Paul Epworth Category:Wichita Recordings albums