@thisisblocparty’s debut album, Silent Alarm will be turning 15 on February 2nd. Bloc Party completed a tour last year celebrating the 15 years since their recording sessions in June and July of 2004.

At times, the album feels raw as guitars shred across tracks. At other times, songs sound expansive and desolate. Silent Alarm felt unrefined, a call back to grunge from the early 90s, and following an era that felt overly produced (or at least very neat and polished). Songs like “Helicopter” and “She’s Hearing Voices” helped create that reputation.

Ironically, Silent Alarm was itself a polished album with clean sounds and pop cuts like “Little Thoughts” and the How-I-Met-Your-Mother-featured “This Modern Love.” The most unrefined element of the whole thing was Kele Okereke’s vocals. The drums and guitars are precise and intricate, especially @russellblocparty, one of the better guitarists of the era. On “Luno,” he’s particularly good.

All in all, Silent Alarm continues to hold up 15 years later. It offers variety without filler. It has a great pace, starting at break neck speed and coming to a gliding finish. Give it a listen. Whether it’s your first time or your 100th, it’ll be good.