Bloc Party

After the demise of the Libertines, London's Bloc Party is one of the only bands across the Atlantic that matters now. Their debut, Silent Alarm, is way tighter and more rhythmic than anything the Libertines ever put out, but it's still an artfully burning collection of indie rock from four self-proclaimed "un-extraordinary kids." Matt Tong's frenetic drums (check the explosive opener, "Like Eating Glass"), Gordon Moakes's jolty bass grooves, and the sudden, volatile guitar surges and jittery vocals of Kele Okereke make it vigorous and poignant. We hope there's more to come from Bloc Party. As Okereke declares on "Luno": "There will be no hesitation.... There will be no bullshit."