A Weekend In The City - Bloc Party

The ever-daunting second album. After the great success of their first, “Silent Alarm”, Bloc Party have 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?! Opening track “Song For Clay (Disappear Here)” seems to monotonously crawl in for the first minute ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

For a band that did very well in their debut year, i was intrigued by the thought of a second album. Mainly the song The Prayer, was the reason i checked this album out and i'm disappointed at why i did. The album cover art is an improvement and CD physical wise, it's quite stunning really. The album is shorter, and only has 11 songs but there is a mixture of very good songs and some OK songs. It seemed as if to cash in on their original success they felt the need to rush release a second album which disappointed me. A Weekend In The City contains a variety of original and pop like records. I like that their first album was mainly a rock ...  Read the complete review

The next step on from silent alarm. that tough second album. hmm did it work? I can remember when it came out, waiting anxiously to find out if all the hype and talk of dramatic change to their sound was something i was going to enjoy. I'd heard 'the prayer', and loved it, but needed to know about the rest! well, if you've heard the prayer and not enjoyed it, don't write off this album. its incredible the way that i sway to and from each track on it, falling in and out of love with alternate tracks- it is easily possible to- like their first album it works as an album. Another exciting opening to the album with 'songs for clay', with it ...  Read the complete review

a weekend in the city - bloc party's second album - is brilliantly unique. its hard to say if its better than their debut but certain songs definitely stand out as ones to be remembered. the first single off the album - the prayer - is actually one that i never listen to. it just doesnt get me going at all! hunting for witches is reassuringly haunting, especially the riffs and hooks. and keles voice really suits the bloc party sound. i still remember sounds a lot more radio friendly and again has an infectious yet simple riff. another favourite of mine is 'on'. not a ballad as such, but a slower sound which, again, has a slightly distanced and mellow feel to it. the ...  Read the complete review