A Weekend In The City
by Bloc Party
  • Record Label: Vice
  • Release Date: Feb 6, 2007
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 320 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 211 out of 320
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 320
  3. Negative: 72 out of 320

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  1. HugoF
    Dec 3, 2007
    10
    The first time Iheard this album I hated it, yet on the second or third time round I began to appreciate what the band was trying to get across and also the use of music. This an amazing album and my favourite band. I want to know why everyone bashes Kele as without his voice Bloc Party wouldn't be half the band they are. Stop the Bloc bashing!!!!
  2. gfdgdfgdfgd
    Feb 11, 2007
    10
    Awesome. Love em.
  3. Sean
    Feb 12, 2007
    8
    This is good. Different from Silent Alarm... but still good. As another reviewer said, it has great energy. I can't understand the negative reviewers, either. Listen for yourself and I think you'll be pleased.
  4. MusicMaven
    Feb 12, 2007
    8
    Bloc Party have lost some of the crackling, live-wire energy displayed on Silent Alarm, but they make up for it with craftsmanship and skill. The songs strike a balance between direct political broadsides and introspective personal reflections. The album as a whole takes a few listens to really appreciate, which may be why the initial reaction has been mixed. While this may not be the Bloc Party have lost some of the crackling, live-wire energy displayed on Silent Alarm, but they make up for it with craftsmanship and skill. The songs strike a balance between direct political broadsides and introspective personal reflections. The album as a whole takes a few listens to really appreciate, which may be why the initial reaction has been mixed. While this may not be the near-masterpiece Silent Alarm was, it's a fine album in its own right, and miles ahead of most of their contemporaries. It would definitely have made my top ten albums list for last year -- and I'm guessing it probably will this year, too.… Expand
  5. LINDONK
    Feb 14, 2007
    10
    luv it! their best !
  6. JustinS
    Feb 21, 2007
    10
    Awesome
  7. AlanB
    Feb 24, 2007
    9
    THe first few listens I admit I was unsure. But as I listened more I started to appreciate the significance of the lyrics. The album provides some insightful commentary on life in contemporary England, while at times musically echoing album one. But there's plenty of originality here. Recommended.
  8. amelia
    Mar 22, 2007
    8
    excellent follow up to silent alarm. some fans may feel its too different - less of the rock sound that penetrated silent alarm. i however love to see a band experiment and grow, as bloc party clearly has. love it. hope you all do too!
  9. CLClark
    Mar 25, 2007
    10
    I believe this record will get more respect once the knee-jerk backlash dies down. More mature and thought-out than Silent Alarm... Some lyrical stumbles but the honesty is refreshing. With each listen, I like it a little more. This is the best "whole" album I have heard in years.
  10. Vampire25
    Dec 30, 2010
    9
    A great follow up from their first album Silent Alarm. A Weekend In The City is a lot different sounding from Silent Alarm. The lyrics are a lot more in depth and it sounds a little more mature. The vocals are better, the lyrics are good, everything just sounds great. All In All, A Weekend In The City is just as good, if not better, than Silent Alarm. A-
  11. Ricko
    Aug 21, 2016
    8
    A loose concept album based on life in London, this is a solid follow up to their excellent debut Silent Alarm, showing lots of ambition and progress but still packing in the tunes. "A Weekend In The City" has all the ingredients that made the bands debut so enjoyable, and in many places expands and improves on it. Having said this, while Kele's vocals have improved, his lyrics here areA loose concept album based on life in London, this is a solid follow up to their excellent debut Silent Alarm, showing lots of ambition and progress but still packing in the tunes. "A Weekend In The City" has all the ingredients that made the bands debut so enjoyable, and in many places expands and improves on it. Having said this, while Kele's vocals have improved, his lyrics here are at times cringeworthy. Sometimes they work and to be fair they do sound very personal and you have to give credit to him for attempting to wear his heart on his sleeve, but most of the time it's close to poor teenage poetry. On the surface they are fine and probably dont take away from the record, unfortunately I listened a bit too carefully. Musically excellent though and a record that has aged well especially when stood next to their later material.… Expand
  12. ughnicewatch
    May 12, 2015
    7
    If you are able to detach your preconceptions about Bloc Party based on Silent Alarm, this emerges as an imaginative, attention-grabbing and genuinely strong release.
  13. MarshallBuzz
    Mar 25, 2017
    10
    Holly molly... whats wrong with this poor rating? This is the best album of Bloc Party, so much deep in my heart. This album reborn so much memories a few years ago. I love it... and again, I don't know why has this poor score...
  14. BouchetSmith
    Mar 2, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's everything Silent Alarm wanted to be. A huge step forward, Bloc Party have perfected their craft, the music sounds sleeker, and so much more melodic. It feels like theyr are trying to follow in Radiohead's footsteps by incorporating electronic sounds and beats into the mix. The album also feels very cohesive, it has a distinct eerie and alien atmosphere throughout. The only issue are some of the lyrics, which can be very cringey, almost like theyr were written by a teenager.
    8.7    … Expand
  15. NobodyDream
    Feb 20, 2021
    8
    An amazing album after all but in my opinion with songs like "Hunting For Withches" or "Flux" the feeling of the album to be some melancholic and sadnnes seems to be overshadowed but NOT making it worst, only mixing feeling, which some may find confusing, normal or terrible. But for me it's perfect in the way it is. The feeling of leaving things behind, to understand life, to overthinkAn amazing album after all but in my opinion with songs like "Hunting For Withches" or "Flux" the feeling of the album to be some melancholic and sadnnes seems to be overshadowed but NOT making it worst, only mixing feeling, which some may find confusing, normal or terrible. But for me it's perfect in the way it is. The feeling of leaving things behind, to understand life, to overthink memories; that's what "A Weekend In The City" means to me a travel to the past. And yeah the rating is quite low, is not the best album of the world but not as bad as they say… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2007
88
#88 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Those hoping to be converted are likely still to doubt the 'voice of a generation' tag.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    It's a given that some people will miss the raucous Bloc Party, but there are enough in-your-face moments and hidden gems to keep A Weekend In The City on regular rotation. [#16, p.90]
  3. Urb
    70
    A post-electronica, post-rave production that jettisons genres and cherishes uncut creativity. [Jan/Feb 2007, p.77]
See all critic reviews »