Bloc Party can breathe a sigh of relief. Franz Ferdinand have been plugging away their new favourite new band, The Blood Arm**, taking away all those (frankly utterly untrue) notions that the 'Party are solely supported by hip association - how many times have Kele and Co. actually met Kapranos and Co.? Exactly. Which is good for BP, but is it good for BA? Initially, clearly yes. We're reviewing them and talking about it on these pages, aren't we?
Another plus for the Blood Arm is that they don't sound particularly like Franz. In the grand scheme of things, there's obviously certain musical touch points, but what the 'Arm most hint towards is Julian Casablancas and co. at their most riotously, slurringly drunk. Which possibly doesn't sound great, but it certainly has its moments. Those moments are none-more apparent than halfway through this EP on 'Do I Have Your Attention'; a ramshacklingly ace tune of non-descript bohemian observation. Lead track 'Say Yes' is more of an artful skronk; building, pounding and breaking down in fits of cutting menace. But as a whole package, it's a glorious nod to the continued evolution of art and pop.
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7Michaela Annot's Score