... So this year seen them come up with something and a few weeks ago, Weekend In The City was released.
To ensure that the band didn't fall into the trap of releasing something just for the sake of it they enlisted the help of well known producer Jacknife Lee. He'd previously worked with ... Read review
Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. OnA Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey ro...
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Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. On A Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey r...
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Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. On A Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey routine. "East London is a vampire," sings Kele Okereke on the opening "Song For Clay (Disappear Here)", "it sucks the life right out of me." This, unmistakably, is Kele's album. Whereas the group's debut, 2005's Silent Alarm, felt powered primarily by the sturdy rhythm section of Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections: see "Waiting For The 7.18", which finds Okereke pondering the quiet hell of the daily commute, or "Where Is Home?" a thoughtful, bruised song about racism given a special bite by stint of Kele's background as a second-generation Nigerian immigrant. Also notable is a move towards more synthetic, electronic textures, thanks in part to the presence of producer Jacknife Lee. If before, Bloc Party sometimes sounded like they were trying to be machine-like, now they actually do, drums arranged in dense loops, guitars gasping robotic feedback. All in all, it's a less gripping album than Silent Alarm - but it's definitely a growth, and in the long run, it may prove easier to love. --Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. On A Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey routine. "East London is a vampire," sings Kele Okereke on the opening "Song For Clay (Disappear Here)", "it sucks the life right out of me." This, unmistakably, is Kele's album. Whereas the group's debut, 2005's Silent Alarm, felt powered primarily by the sturdy rhythm section of Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections: see "Waiting For The 7.18", which finds Okereke pondering the quiet hell of the daily commute, or "Where Is Home?" a thoughtful, bruised song about racism given a special bite by stint of Kele's background as a second-generation Nigerian immigrant. Also notable is a move towards more synthetic, electronic textures, thanks in part to the presence of producer Jacknife Lee. If before, Bloc Party sometimes sounded like they were trying to be machine-like, now they actually do, drums arranged in dense loops, guitars gasping robotic feedback. All in all, it's a less gripping album than Silent Alarm - but it's definitely a growth, and in the long run, it may prove easier to love. --Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. On A Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey routine. "East London is a vampire," sings Kele Okereke on the opening "Song For Clay (Disappear Here)", "it sucks the life right out of me." This, unmistakably, is Kele's album. Whereas the group's debut, 2005's Silent Alarm, felt powered primarily by the sturdy rhythm section of Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections: see "Waiting For The 7.18", which finds Okereke pondering the quiet hell of the daily commute, or "Where Is Home?" a thoughtful, bruised song about racism given a special bite by stint of Kele's background as a second-generation Nigerian immigrant. Also notable is a move towards more synthetic, electronic textures, thanks in part to the presence of producer Jacknife Lee. If before, Bloc Party sometimes sounded like they were trying to be machine-like, now they actually do, drums arranged in dense loops, guitars gasping robotic feedback. All in all, it's a less gripping album than Silent Alarm - but it's definitely a growth, and in the long run, it may prove easier to love. --Louis Pattison
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Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. OnA Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey routine. "East London is a vampire," sings Kele Okereke on the opening "Song For Clay (Disappear Here)", "it sucks the life right out of me." This, unmistakably, is Kele's album. Whereas the group's debut, 2005'sSilent Alarm, felt powered primarily by the sturdy rhythm section of Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections: see "Waiting For The 7.18", which finds Okereke pondering the quiet hell of the daily commute, or "Where Is Home?" a thoughtful, bruised song about racism given a special bite by stint of Kele's background as a second-generation Nigerian immigrant. Also notable is a move towards more synthetic, electronic textures, thanks in part to the presence of producer Jacknife Lee. If before, Bloc Party sometimes sounded like they were trying to be machine-like, now they actually do, drums arranged in dense loops, guitars gasping robotic feedback. All in all, it's a less gripping album thanSilent Alarm- but it's definitely a growth, and in the long run, it may prove easier to love.--Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Critical adulation and commercial success hasn't changed Bloc Party. OnA Weekend In The ... more
City, they're still rolling with the punches, frustrated by small minds, social inequality, and a world that reduces the life's wonderful possibilities to a grey routine. "East London is a vampire," sings Kele Okereke on the opening "Song For Clay (Disappear Here)", "it sucks the life right out of me." This, unmistakably, is Kele's album. Whereas the group's debut, 2005'sSilent Alarm, felt powered primarily by the sturdy rhythm section of Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections: see "Waiting For The 7.18", which finds Okereke pondering the quiet hell of the daily commute, or "Where Is Home?" a thoughtful, bruised song about racism given a special bite by stint of Kele's background as a second-generation Nigerian immigrant. Also notable is a move towards more synthetic, electronic textures, thanks in part to the presence of producer Jacknife Lee. If before, Bloc Party sometimes sounded like they were trying to be machine-like, now they actually do, drums arranged in dense loops, guitars gasping robotic feedback. All in all, it's a less gripping album thanSilent Alarm- but it's definitely a growth, and in the long run, it may prove easier to love.--Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A very good second album, some really well made tracks Disadvantages: takes a bit longer to get into than Silent Alarm
...and a few weeks ago, Weekend In The City was released.
To ensure that the band didn't fall into the trap of releasing something just for the sake of it they enlisted the help of well known producer Jacknife Lee. He'd previously worked with both Kasabian and Snow Patrol so the signs that he could help Bloc Party were promising. The four piece from Essex wouldn't be happy with a mediocre release themselves and that's why almost exactly ... .../>
The result is an album that actually borders on being better than the debut. I felt after a couple of listens that this album offered a sound that would perhaps stand the test of time a little more. Having now had the CD in the car almost constantly since its release my opinion certainly hasn't changed on that score. Of course the experience of the last couple of years has matured the bands music, but the lyrics still seem to carry the ... more
In 2005, the debut album from Bloc Party was amongst my favourite of the year. It seemed to offer something a little different to the other bands that were around at the time. That was then and while Silent Alarm still features on my Ipod and CD player the band were faced with a difficult task. They had to come up with a second album, something that enhanced their reputation after Silent Alarm. This wasn't going to be easy and many people thought that Bloc Party would fall foul of the difficult second album syndrome that seems to plague bands. So this year seen them come up with something and a few weeks ago, Weekend In The City was released.
To ensure that the band didn't fall into the trap of releasing something just for the sake of it they enlisted the help of well known producer Jacknife Lee. He'd previously worked with both Kasabian and Snow Patrol so the signs that he could help Bloc Party were promising. The four piece from Essex wouldn't be happy with a mediocre release themselves and that's why almost exactly 2 years after the first album they have returned.
The result is an album that actually borders on being better than the debut. I felt after a couple of listens that this album offered a sound that would perhaps stand the test of time a little more. Having now had the CD in the car almost constantly since its release my opinion certainly hasn't changed on that score. Of course the experience of the last couple of years has matured the bands music, but the lyrics still seem to carry the same message. It still shows the sense of frustration the band have with peoples attitudes towards each other and general situations.
It starts with a slow intro that, using Kele's vocals really sets up the tone for the album. The intro to the track soon picks up and this seems to be the story of the album. It has a lot of contrast in terms of slow, mellow pieces combined brilliantly with much more upbeat, in your face Indie rock. Unlike a number of guitar driven Indie bands, Bloc Party seem to mix between the guitars and the drums really taking the lead on all the tracks. The bass provides an accompaniment throughout, while the drums and guitars really give the album a real purpose and drive.
The musical element of Bloc Party certainly seems to have matured and the lyrics seem to be far more intense than the previous album. The range of subjects covered from Love to the attacks on the twin towers, there is a lot of scope. The type of tracks and the style of the lyrics really suit Kele's vocals and that perhaps lends more credence to the appeal of each track than if had been anyone else singing. The first album already seemed to have a hint of maturity to the lyrics but the vocals and lyrics on this album are even better.
It's not an album you'll love on first listen and while I could see this would be an album that would stand the test of time. I have to say it took me a lot longer to get into than Silent Alarm. The whole album is quite slow burning, but within about a week of listening to it certain tracks did start to stand out. The likes of recent single "I Still Remember" has quite a haunting sound to it and with a nice pace and decent vocals it certainly is one of my favourite tracks on the album. There is something catchy about it that means you can't help but like it.
There are two tracks that I just can't split between being my favourite from the album. The first is a very low key, but very touching track, "Kreuzburg". It has a slow melody and a nice steady beat, whilst Kele's vocals really seem to bring the song to life. The amount of emotion and feeling in the track really make it easy to listen to. At the opposite end of the scale is the next single to be taken from the album, "Hunting For Witches". It's a much more upbeat track that really seems to be lead by the drums. Once the guitars and vocals join in it really gives a sense of what the new Bloc Party material is all about. The vocals are sublime and with a very catchy, upbeat track it definitely makes for a good choice as a single.
So have they managed to overcome the tricky second album? I'd definitely say so. In fact I actually think this album is a much stronger album than the first. It has a slightly different sound and that might put a few fans off. It doesn't however contain any weak tracks. There are a few that take much longer to get into but in the end this is a very solid album. Fans of the band will really like it, perhaps not at first but you've got to give it a chance to grow on you. It's an album I'd be happy to recommend to anyone who likes guitar driven Indie tracks. If your not familiar with Bloc Party it's a good introduction to the band and an album I'm sure I'll be listening too for a long time to come.
Advantages: Better songwriting and musicianship over debut in this cracking album Disadvantages: Some of the songs make for uncomfortable listening
A Weekend in the City starts quietly with Song for Clay (Disappear Here). Quickly accelerates into familiar territory from Silent Alarm, but there's something noticeably different. It's as if all of the Silent Alarm themes have been crammed into this first track as a deliberate link with the past - a point for fans to identify with perhaps. But also themes from the new album are crammed in to provide a pointer to the future. It's a very busy track ... ...this third track that A Weekend in the City really hits its stride, and establishes itself. As a whole, the album is a picture of a disaffected adult straining at the leash imposed by city rat-race life. It talks of waiting for dancing in the evenings, of weekend day trips to Brighton and other such escapism that bewitches people with its hope. Otherwise, there are powerful overtones of past regrets and of conservatism that has become stifling. It's ...
GilesGuthrie 12.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party
Advantages: A decent enough second album Disadvantages: Something's missing...
...returned in 2007 with "A Weekend in the City". But with so many bands releasing second albums this year - Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys etc - can they achieve what many don't, and make a better album second time around?
Now, I'm reviewing this after just two listens, and I found their debut needed a few before I got into it and became addicted, so with that in mind, can this effort grab the listener first time around? Or not at all?!
... ...is this album? Firstly, "A Weekend in the City" is not as good as Silent Alarm in my opinion, but then again, you're opinion could be completely different. However, their complexity in lyrics shows an excellent growing of age. Available on Amazon for £7.98, or £8.99 with an additional DVD, it's worth a listen, especially if you're a fan. If you're new to them, I'd advise you to go for Silent Alarm
So then, no it's not as good as Silent Alarm…if ...
carl.mcqueen 22.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party
Advantages: Excellent follow-up to previous album, but showcasing some musical development Disadvantages: Occasionaly slightly flat in terms of its production
...this class is Bloc Party’s Weekend in the City, follow-up to 2005’s Silent Alarm. When approaching something like this, it is so easy to resort to that tired cliché: ‘it’s not as good as the first one’, but in order to give it a fair chance, we have to disassociate ‘good’ from ‘familiar’. I should think that even the most committed fans will feel secretly disappointed when first listening to it – there is very little that immediately recalls the ... ...to crave recognition?’
A Weekend in the City certainly feels much more like Kele’s album – where their debut was powered primarily by the sturdy beats of the peerless rhythm section, here the whooshing groove recedes slightly, allowing for more lyrical reflections. While the more introspective lyrical mood doesn’t produce any particularly outstanding offerings, it is good to see that the songwriting has matured sufficiently to give a place to more ...
cazzie_alice 18.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party
Advantages: They literally are the best English band on the scene at the moment. Disadvantages: Not the same Bloc Party from Silent Alarm.
...with it's predecessor.
'A Weekend in the City' doesn't have the same raw edge that 'Silent Alarm' had, and instead provides us with many more chilled and insightful songs. Any true Bloc Party fan will tell you that Matt Tong's drumming is the key to their sound. He provides the band with the edgey bounce that defines BP's sound. Although his drumming still resounds resolutely through such tracks as 'Hunting For Witches', and 'The Prayer', the pounding ... ...to be following the same formula and lack originality, and although 'A Weekend In The City' may not be quite as creative as its predecessor, overall the album is still ahead of it's competition and is a success; maintaining Bloc Party as one of the leaders in the UK scene. ...
trumpsnuffler 12.02.2007 (15.02.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party
Advantages: Different direct, good lyrics Disadvantages: Not as as good as previous album
Out of all the albums I have owned, this is probably in the top 5. Now, there are some excellent tracks on here which are further explained below: Hunting for witches: This song is very upbeat, with a lot of eltronica mixed in to create a piece which is both catchy and likable. Waiting for the 7:18: This song, for Bloc Party, is much more sedate, and more down beat. However, whatever it lacks in an uplifting, it counteracts that with the clever lyrics
... ...Bloc party, but I think most people who listen to this song can relate to the lyrics.
Now, this album is not in the same league as Silent Alarm, the first album from Bloc (How could I ever forget Banquet), but I think the main thing to remember is the 'Party' have gone in a new direction with the Album and are trying to diversify. This can also be seen from the release of Flux, the single which was recently released, which is unlike any of the previous ...
Thebanditgolfer 29.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party"
Advantages: Great Drumming, Danceable Music, Great Production, Great Band, Nice DVD footage of the band Disadvantages: Lyrics Can Be a Bit Downbeat, Can Get a Tad Repetetive.
Here is BlocParty's follow up album 'a weekendin the city' , if you know anything about BlocParty then you will be expecting this follow up album,
After their excellent debut album 'Silent Alarm' which was one of the best albums of 2005 winning NME album of the year (not that the NME is the best place for opinions), there are high hopes for this album and blocpartyin 2007.
BlocParty are:
Kele Okereke: Vocals - Guitar
Russel Lissack - Lead Guitar
Gordon Moakes- Bass Guitar - Backing Vocals
Matt Tong- Drums- Backing Vocals
The album has been produced by Jacknife Lee- who recently produced, kasabian, snow patrol and U2's How to dismantle an atomic bomb, meaning that the new album has a quite experimental producer hoping to achieve another hit.
Track Listing.
Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
A great start to a new ...
Advantages: Original Indie music at its finest, Superb Follow-up Disadvantages: Yet To Be Found!
An excellent follow up album that is to be appreciated by all Indie-Rock music fans alike. The album is based on lifelong experiences of the band and the opening song 'Song For Clay (Disappear Here)' is as good as it gets. Not many albums can claim to have all of their songs worthy as being released as singles, but 'A Weekendin the City' can definitely do that.
The outstanding 'The Prayer' hit the UK in fine style and from personal experiences of Live Performances it is definitely up there with 'Banquet' and 'Helicopter' from the previous album.
A definite recommended buy for any fan of typical indie music.
Recommended songs: *Song For Clay (Disappear Here) *The Prayer *I Still Remember *Hunting For Witches. After listening to these songs I'm sure you will want to buy the album straight the way. ...
Advantages: Lyrics, melodies, riffs and drums. Disadvantages: I can't fault it.
I've been a BlocParty fan for years now, and it's all down to one album - 'Silent Alarm'. One of the greatest debut albums of the decade, from atmospheric opening track 'Like Eating Glass' to moody closer 'Compliments', it has a bit of everything. Tracks such as 'Helicopter' and 'Luno' offering some huge guitar riffs and frantic drumming, whilst others such as 'Blue Light', 'So Here We Are' and 'This Modern Love' offers some relaxing and chilled songs. Lyrically, Kele Okereke is at his best and all in all, it's a perfect album. If you only buy one album this year, make it 'Silent Alarm. After that, try out BlocParty's later releases 'A WeekendIn The City' and 'Intimacy' - natural progression from what was 2005's greatest LP. 10/10. ...
Product Information for "Weekend In The City, A - Bloc Party" »
Product details
Title
Weekend In The City, A
Performer
Bloc Party
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
05/02/2007
Recomended Retail Price
15.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2007
Label / Distributor
Wichita / Republic Of Music/Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
5055036261203
Additional notes
Album Notes
With its second full-length studio album, A WEEKEND IN THE CITY, Bloc Party seems undaunted in following up its highly acclaimed debut, SILENT ALARM, assuredly presenting another shimmering set of heady, well-honed British rock. While the band's calling cards--alternately angular and chiming guitar lines, frontman Kele Okereke's plaintive vocals, and drummer Matt Tong's precise rhythms--are fully on display, WEEKEND features the London-based quartet in a more muscular mode, a point easily hit home by the fierce opener, "Song for Clay (Disappear Here)," which is marked by roaring six-string riffs and an insistent beat. Although WEEKEND is less dynamic than SILENT ALARM, like that earlier release, the record is generally frontloaded with more aggressive tracks (particularly the searing, dance-tinged tune "Hunting for Witches"), leaving the latter part of WEEKEND to showcase Bloc Party's shoegaze tendencies ("Kreuzberg") and pop inclinations ("I Still Remember"). Bloc Party often verges on U2/Coldplay-like grandeur here, but it defiantly retains an edge that those acts lack, making this a distinct album by a band of its time.
Album Reviews
Spin (p.84) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "They're one of the few acts that can write a song about a hangover that will also sound great during a hangover." Vibe (p.122) - "With WEEKEND, Bloc Party continue to refute genre tags, finding themselves wherever they may roam."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Song For Clay (Disappear Here)
2.
Hunting For Witches
3.
Waiting For The 7.18
4.
Prayer
5.
Uniform
6.
On
7.
Where Is Home
8.
Kreuzberg
9.
I Still Remember
10.
Sunday
11.
SRXT
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
12/02/2007
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