The term "silent alarm" is a reference to soundless earth tremors with devastating effects. It turns out to be a prescient title for the debut album by British group Bloc Party, a self described "autonomous unit of un-extraordinary kids." Un-extraordinary? Hardly.

I can't exactly put my finger on what it is about Silent Alarm that I find so infectious, but I'll give it my best. Exhibit A is the unique vocal styling of lead singer Kele Okereke. His voice sounds afflicted; almost persecuted. You feel compelled to find out exactly what it is that's got him so aggrieved. The band that supports his vocals seems to feed off the desperate energy that Okereke so deftly displays. The drummer, Matt Tong, apparently operates all of his equipment at breakneck speeds. Someone call Remo for more drum heads.

Bloc Party alone may keep them in the black. The guitar and bass keep up just fine in an impressive demonstration of a band in complete unison with one another. Bloc Party rounds it off with an eclectic mix of synth, mandolin and other assorted instruments. Silent Alarm is a visceral musical experience.

Okereke's voice would seem contrived if his lyrics weren't as beautifully rancorous as they are. He covers plenty of ground in his lyrics including: the Bush Administration on "Helicopter" - Why can't you be more European/Bastard child of guilt and shame/Bury your head in the sand; schizophrenia on "She's Hearing Voices" - She's hearing voices call her/She's hearing voices warn her/She just can't sleep in her bed/She just can't sleep; and domestic turmoil on "Like Eating Glass" - It's so cold in this house/Open mouth swallowing us/The children staying home from school/Will not stop crying.

The best track of the lot may be "Pioneers", which the band says is "a warning to those who think they can change the world. Not everyone can, hardly anyone does."

Bloc Party finds time to show their delicate side as well on several softer, more introspective tracks like "This Modern Love", "So Here We Are" and "Blue Light". None of the three ever veer into cliché or bubble gum. They are post punk love songs for the here and now, sung with a toned-down, palpable urgency.

Silent Alarm is a mature creation that seems far ahead of many debut albums of recent memory. It's a trip worth taking many times over. Bloc Party's next effort will not have the luxury of coming upon us so quietly.

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