Signs (Bloc Party song)
Encyclopedia
"Signs" is the first single from Intimacy Remixed
, the remix album
to Bloc Party
's third album Intimacy
. The song's remix by Armand Van Helden
was released on 27 April 2009 in the United Kingdom only on digital download
and 12" vinyl. It is the first single to be released from a Bloc Party remix album as no songs were released from the previous effort Silent Alarm Remixed
.
intro and delicate layering of vocals and instrumentals" of the original version by "wedging in a thick, house bassline
. Cook also commented that this change "hasn't done this track any favours" and that the song "is far from inventive or experimental in its production". Simon Taylor of angryape.com offered a differing opinion, stating that "Helden rips up the dancefloor with his rework - all grinding synths, bouncy basslines and booming beats" to create a remix that "will appeal to clubbers and indie fans in equal measure", evoking the success of one Bloc Party's earlier singles, "Banquet
".
features "maligned individuals with volume knobs for eyes, equalizer LED
s for spines
, and cable input/outputs for faces" as well as a "barrage of seemingly random and disturbing images [including] a talking vagina". Filter
described the video as "what a sexually repressed sound engineer's nightmare might look like", concluding that "all that being said, the rifle-quick imagery is suiting for the pace and rhythm of the song, emphasized by house music
maestro Armand Van Helden who remixes the track".
The video was directed by Hiro Murai, and David Knight of promonews.tv commented that his "inventive graftings of bodies and machines" seem to be "somewhat influenced by the Aphex
-Cunningham
school of body-horror". Knight ultimately described the video as "stunning", with similar positive comments from Peter Gaston of Spin
who stated that it was "completely gripping". In addition, Gaston claimed that the video "ranks up there with dance music
's best videos, like Aphex Twin's "Come to Daddy
"".
12" vinyl
Promo CD
Intimacy Remixed
Intimacy Remixed is the remix album to Intimacy, the third album by indie rock band Bloc Party. It was released on 11 May 2009 in the United Kingdom through Wichita Recordings, the band's primary label, in limited edition CD and triple LP formats to coincide with Bloc Party's worldwide touring...
, the remix album
Remix album
A remix album is an album consisting mostly of remixes or re-recorded versions of a music artists' earlier released material.One of the earliest remix albums was 1971's Aerial Pandemonium Ballet by Harry Nilsson, which was released by Nilsson after the successes of Everybody's Talkin and The Point!...
to Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
's third album Intimacy
Intimacy (Bloc Party album)
Intimacy is the third studio album by British indie rock band Bloc Party. It was recorded in two weeks at several locations in London and Kent during 2008 and was produced by Paul Epworth and Jacknife Lee. Inspired by the release options available in the Internet age, the band members made the...
. The song's remix by Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden is a record producer, DJ and remixer whose biggest commercial successes came from his remixes of the 1996 Tori Amos song "Professional Widow" , which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997, and his own track "U Don't Know Me ", which went to number 1...
was released on 27 April 2009 in the United Kingdom only on digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
and 12" vinyl. It is the first single to be released from a Bloc Party remix album as no songs were released from the previous effort Silent Alarm Remixed
Silent Alarm Remixed
Silent Alarm Remixed is the remix album to Silent Alarm, the debut album by British indie rock band Bloc Party. It was released on 29 August 2005 in the British Isles on Wichita Recordings, the band's primary label, and on 13 September 2005 in the United States through Vice Records to coincide with...
.
Musical style
Paul Cook of godisinthetvzine.co.uk stated that the remixed version of "Signs" does "away with the xylophoneXylophone
The xylophone is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck by mallets...
intro and delicate layering of vocals and instrumentals" of the original version by "wedging in a thick, house bassline
Bassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
. Cook also commented that this change "hasn't done this track any favours" and that the song "is far from inventive or experimental in its production". Simon Taylor of angryape.com offered a differing opinion, stating that "Helden rips up the dancefloor with his rework - all grinding synths, bouncy basslines and booming beats" to create a remix that "will appeal to clubbers and indie fans in equal measure", evoking the success of one Bloc Party's earlier singles, "Banquet
Banquet (song)
"Banquet" is a song from British band Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm. Originally released on a double A-side single "Banquet" is a song from British band Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm. Originally released on a double A-side single "Banquet" is a song from British band Bloc...
".
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
features "maligned individuals with volume knobs for eyes, equalizer LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
s for spines
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
, and cable input/outputs for faces" as well as a "barrage of seemingly random and disturbing images [including] a talking vagina". Filter
Filter (magazine)
FILTER, the publication that promises us that "Good music will prevail," is a seasonal American music and off-beat entertainment magazine. It features commentary and photos of up-and-coming musicians and filmmakers ranging from actors to writer-directors...
described the video as "what a sexually repressed sound engineer's nightmare might look like", concluding that "all that being said, the rifle-quick imagery is suiting for the pace and rhythm of the song, emphasized by house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
maestro Armand Van Helden who remixes the track".
The video was directed by Hiro Murai, and David Knight of promonews.tv commented that his "inventive graftings of bodies and machines" seem to be "somewhat influenced by the Aphex
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
-Cunningham
Chris Cunningham
Chris Cunningham is an English music video film director and video artist. He was born in Reading, Berkshire in 1970 and grew up in Lakenheath, Suffolk....
school of body-horror". Knight ultimately described the video as "stunning", with similar positive comments from Peter Gaston of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
who stated that it was "completely gripping". In addition, Gaston claimed that the video "ranks up there with dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
's best videos, like Aphex Twin's "Come to Daddy
Come to Daddy
Come to Daddy is a 1997 EP by electronic music artist Richard D. James, commonly known as Aphex Twin. "Come to Daddy [Pappy Mix]" — often simply called "Come to Daddy" — is one of Aphex Twin's best-known songs; it peaked at #36 on the UK Singles Chart...
"".
Track listing
Digital download- "Signs" (Armand Van Helden Remix) – 5:48
12" vinyl
- "Signs" (Armand Van Helden Remix) – 5:48
- "Signs" (Armand Van Helden Remix InstrumentalInstrumentalAn instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
) – 5:33 - "Signs" (Pantha Du Prince Remix) - 8:45
Promo CD
- "Signs" (Armand Van Helden Remix Edit) – 3:18
- "Signs" (John King Remix) - 4:01
- "Signs" (IntimacyIntimacy (Bloc Party album)Intimacy is the third studio album by British indie rock band Bloc Party. It was recorded in two weeks at several locations in London and Kent during 2008 and was produced by Paul Epworth and Jacknife Lee. Inspired by the release options available in the Internet age, the band members made the...
version) – 4:39
Charts
| Charts (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
115 |
In popular culture
- The song was featured in the 13th episode of the 2nd season of Gossip Girl ("Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?") that aired on December 8, 2008. "Biko" from the same album was used in the same episode.
- The song was also featured in the end of "Chuck vs. the Lethal Weapon", the 16th episode of the second season of Chuck.