User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 320 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 211 out of 320
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Mixed: 37 out of 320
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Negative: 72 out of 320
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JasonPMar 1, 2007
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MichaelWFeb 9, 2007Feels like the thought in your mind before a Saturday night in town. Full of hope, anxiety, excitement.
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JeffVMar 6, 2007Better than Silent Alarm in every possible way.
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ErwinK.Aug 7, 2007Great record. Would give it a 8, but giving it a 10 because of some troll giving about 15 zeros in a row. You can't honestly believe that those comments with all the zeros are from different people.
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JRAug 8, 2007
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xcellntMJan 1, 2008Critics awful. One of the best album in '07. Just listen It several times. Album is hypnotizing. Bloc Party very talanted, this album show that.
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BrandonA.Apr 15, 2008Critics will be critics. A Weekend In A City was an absolute masterpiece. The band themselves work so amazing together. Personally I love how Kele articulates his aspects on the modernity state of Britain. Could not have been expressed better.
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AlexSNov 20, 2007The first time i listened to it, i felt in love with it straight away. Don't know why, but i like it much better than 'Silent Alarm'.
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TimothyHFeb 10, 2007
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NaveenPFeb 6, 2007Its always hard to follow up a debut like Silent Alarm, but this album , although its not as raw, does have its moments. "The Prayer" is probably the best song on the album, followed by the radio friendly "I still remember"
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PaoloFeb 6, 2007
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SteveFeb 6, 2007Bloc Party are one of those bands that are always reliable to produce excellent music. This album is no exception. They never dissapoint. There are only a handful of bands that do that for me. I highly recommend this. I think I even like it better than their debut album.
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MattJFeb 7, 2007Simply put, most of the critics have misjudged this, maybe its due to its nature, as i wasn't instantly took with it, but it definately rewarded further listening, and as time grows so does the music. Each song offers something different while still having bloc party's trademark sound, brilliant
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DamianMFeb 7, 2007
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MichaelSFeb 7, 2007
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MikeMFeb 8, 2007Instant Classic.... well not instant, it took me a good 3 or 4 listens to actually "get" this album. But when i finally did I was blown away. This album really is a fine wine, its going to remembered far more fondly in 10 years than right now, kinda like Aeroplane Over the Sea, or Hotel California, or Doolitle. As a fan of music believe me...Do Not Listen to the Critics on this one!!!!!!!!!!
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RickXFeb 8, 2007so much better than Silent Alarm
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AdamFeb 8, 2007Most of the critics are way off base here. This is a definite progression from their first album, and is a true stunner.
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idouboidresMar 26, 2007no comment
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TresTMar 4, 2007I think that most people rated this album before letting the songs "grown" on them, which is the only time after which one can can truly see how good or bad the music really is. great album.
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MichelleKApr 13, 2007Great album. Not as good as Silent Alarm but i guess you an't really compare the 2 as they are quite different. Bloc Party are going in the right direction in becoming the best (not nessasarily comercially)' British Alternative band out there (behind Kasabian)
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MarshallMSep 9, 2007I'm going to give it a ten because i can't listen a single track on this album where Bloc Party isn't getting across some message while making captivating music. Even if I don't get it, they do a great job of getting the emotions across. And know, this isn't emo, they just sing emotionally. As if pop and R&B singers never sing with emotion-yet we don't call them emo.
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pierrebFeb 11, 2007It's like sex and like pizza. Even if it's bad, it's still pretty good. I agree with a lot of listeners: the production is rubbish. I think the album is a mix of Bloc Party B-sides, the weakest album of U2 and the least tracks on the Silent Alarm remix album. Further it contains 2 or three tracks that outstand. But hey, that;s still pretty good!
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JoeKFeb 12, 2007
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LincolnWFeb 12, 2007simply awesome!
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MeFeb 12, 2007
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PhilBFeb 13, 2007
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georgeFeb 15, 2007james if you didn't like the first why did you buy the second album? :s album is excellent by the way..
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PaulFFeb 26, 2007An awesome return and refreshingly different sound to Silent Alarm. Understandably it has its critics due to it being so different to their first outing but I actually prefer this album - much darker and epic.
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MihaiVFeb 3, 2007Again, like on the CYHSY new album, I don't get the critics. A brilliant album. Kele is a genius.
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MikeCFeb 5, 2007I really liked this album. I felt The Prayer is thier best song.
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gregorFeb 5, 2007Mesmerising.
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nickpFeb 5, 2007I really enjoy listening to this album. I have had an advance copy for a little while now, and the songs are only getting better. The beats and vocals are consistent with the debut album, but as a whole the album is a step in another direction I only wish the tempo wouldn't drop off after the 6th track.
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JesseHFeb 5, 2007Don't listen to the critical backlash going on, this album is great. Bloc Party is evolving and growing and this album is a terrific next step. Not the revelation that their debut was but a very solid follow-up full of great new stylistic tricks and sincere emotion.
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yorickFeb 5, 2007Oh man, this album might be as good as the previous one... it is catchy, the lyrics are deep and heartfelt, it just takes a little while longer to concquer the record.... its less accessable
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GunterGrassFeb 6, 2007Good energy, nice lyrics and a fine unity is realy all you can ask of a album.
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LeoPFeb 7, 2007Fabulous. Congratulations to Kele Okereke,with this bunch of fine songs, you can be proud at your second. Welcome at the festivals this summer
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StephenFeb 7, 2007
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davidmFeb 8, 2007This record is not as immediately memorable as Silent Alarm. But it's a real grower and the more critical reviews are very superficial. This is serious music and as good as anything this year.
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TimMFeb 8, 2007I've cried twice in my life after i heard the song for the first time. "Ballad of a So Called Friend" by Okkervil RIver, and "Kreuzberg" on Bloc Party's stunning new cd. I've never heard a song that I connect with sooo much...thank you Kele, for helping me through a confusing time : )
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GuyHFeb 8, 2007
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RoryBFeb 8, 2007This album has got mixed reviews from critics ranging from the great to the very average. I believe that the critics slating it however have not listened to it enough though. Give it a while and you will realise what a great album it is. Exhilarating music and interesting lyrics.
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SteveOFeb 9, 2007
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jorisFeb 9, 2007
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JFPrieurMar 19, 2007a solid followup to Silent Alarm, second albums are difficult and this is a band that wants to have a career insteat of a single hit. Also one of the best live bands, so tight for being just kids, mean that out of all the current crop of 'new' bands, Bloc Party will be the one to remember.
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MWMar 4, 2007
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RogierAMar 5, 2007This album grows on you. The reviewers that trashed it can't have listened to it more than once. Don't listen to them, this is a great album.
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TroyPMar 6, 2007
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JustinSMar 6, 2007Awesome
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TimFMay 23, 2007More consistant than Silent Alarm and DOESN'T sound like Coldpaly in parts, more like Radiohead in parts. Yeah some of the lyrics aren't that great and the vocals may be a bit too high up in the mix but it is generally a brilliant record. Top banana.
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BenSMay 20, 2007
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TomBMay 8, 2007
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matta.Jun 10, 2007
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NickM.Jul 11, 2007
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DaveH.Sep 5, 2007Quite apart from being a truly great album musically; this is a fantastic social commentary on life in a War on Terror.
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FrancisR.Sep 6, 2007Its less pop but its wayyyyyyyy better for it.
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AnnikaRJan 2, 2008Absolutely lovely album. Iit requires a couple of times listening
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DLGApr 7, 2008This is wonderful album from start to finish. They're amazing band where the group as a whole work perfect together.
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CyroneNov 30, 2007The reason I'm rating this is cause it's been hated on SO badly by the critics. Honestly this is an amazing album, it grows on you BIG time and eventually is better than their debut. I was never a big Bloc Party fan until this 2nd album so urge everyone to get it.
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DBNov 6, 2007
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RayFFeb 11, 2007Not as immediately engaging as Silent Alarm, but after repeated listenings you come to realize it's still a very, very good album.
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LloydBFeb 10, 2007
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philgFeb 11, 2007better than silent alarm, a beautiful album that jumps at your after listening a few times 10/10
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mikebFeb 10, 2007One of the better cds out.
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evanFeb 12, 2007I love it, every second
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paulcupboardFeb 12, 2007Excelent and appealing, it is not Silent |Alarm and thats what fans should want. It contains some old familiar haunts and some new corners to explore, if your not scared. If your hating this album cause it isnt enough like the old one then you'rea lost cause. BlocParty already made Silent Alarm twice do you need it again.
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JackPunkFeb 12, 2007I think it's superb, the music is exciting and leaps out at you, and the downtrodden atmosphere is subtle and exquisite. My one complaint: not a single cogent rhyme on the entire record. Otherwise, I think it's brilliant.
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BezusFeb 13, 2007good album..i agree with most..not as good as the first album but still alot of fun....a little over produced....kinda like the rough sound of the first album....gives it charecter...but overal the lyrics are lacking but the music is still jsut as jumpy.....would recomend hearing for yourself before purchase.
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deancFeb 13, 2007The first album this year that I've been able to listen to repeatedly. Incredibly strong musical backing that encompasses a range of styles. more dance orientated and funkier than any of the so called nu-rave bands. Not as dark as some reviewers have made out, but does deal with a wider range of issues than the usual indie fair.
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pisliceFeb 14, 2007At first I thought, ew, it's a little too Coldplayish/U2, but I've listened to it a few times and actually: it's a really solid, well executed album and some of the tracks are pretty slamming, realized and wicked. Not sure why people have problems with the lyrics, they seem right to me. The critics are being pretty severe with these guys. It's a great record.
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LukeTFeb 17, 2007It's Bloc Party not doing Silent Alarm again, which is a good thing. This is so much more epic, artistic, it's almost completely perfect for what it is.
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JImCFeb 18, 2007Dont trust the bad reviews... the thing is that this isnt SILENT ALARM,, this is their evolution to something different, not better or worse just differenet.. listen to the prayer,uniform and others and you will realise that you're in front of a masterpiece
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MattD.Feb 22, 2007The PopMatters review makes no sense. There is plenty of the more hard-edged Duran Duran style they are known for, and the softer songs sound pleasantly U2-like.
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DavdFeb 25, 2007
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KrisGFeb 25, 2007It's really intense. One of the best critical and political records in years.
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JeremyFeb 3, 2007every song is a winner. stunning.
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RobertBFeb 5, 2007Everyone should read about this album before they listen to it. The theme behind it is very powerful and Bloc Party's music prowess is make extremely obvious.
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MattSFeb 5, 2007
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SethHFeb 5, 2007Bloc Party's "A Weekend In the City" is an album that epitomizes the popular, artistic result of modern calamities. From the conforming of the indiviuals to the judgement by modern society, Bloc Party touch issues that haunt our world. Kele Okereke's lyrics and melodies stick in listeners brain for days on end.
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jeffsFeb 5, 2007More like a 6.5, but it's way way better than the leaked version. Unfortunately it's too often sappy and sentimental, like most of these reviews will tell you, but when it gets its groove.. it's like we're right back in 2004.
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JohnBFeb 5, 2007
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WiebeBFeb 5, 2007I needed to hear this album a few times before I started enjoying it. The music is good but it's Okereke's lyrics and philosophical theme that blows you away. My favorite is "hunting for witches".
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mattaFeb 6, 2007
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federFeb 6, 2007AMAZING!!! At the beginning it doesn't grip you, to be honest, but listening after listening you cannot stay without!
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AndréLFeb 6, 2007Those awful bad critics are not to be trusted. Silent Alarm was a great album and the expectation was fairly high for this one. And it does get its way. The album might sound not-so-good at the beginning , but when you listen to it you'll see that it's still Bloc Party top-nocht , just in a different music theme. Awesome indeed.
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JoeyKFeb 6, 2007
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chrisLFeb 6, 2007almost as good as silent alarm, but still really good
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markFeb 8, 2007
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[Anonymous]Feb 8, 2007Much better than their last record. Although that's not saying much.
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WillOFeb 8, 2007
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EricCMar 1, 2007
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alanlMar 14, 2007Evolution might bother some poeple but for some of us it's fresh air after a long time in the darkness. Bloc Party shows they are more than just a band with dull riffs. A great sentimental album
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SimonDMar 14, 2007
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wrsgujwrsgujMar 23, 2007This album stands by itself. Unfortunately, all those that want another "Silent Alarm" (even in their subconsciousness) will be disappointed. Good for Bloc Party in trying to be creative and record something that matters. And yes, while there is much more production in this album, it is by no means a sell out or even radio pop.
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BintangPApr 20, 2007agree with clark. the more i listen to it, the more i like it. we cant compare it with silent alarms, since they are different. yet, its the best album i heard this year. and the leading british alternative rock band..
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MCFApr 28, 2007Slightly dissapointed, but it is better than any other crap out there. Silent Alarm set the bar way too high. This album has "Cabernet" potential and can improve over time. Still one of the best live acts to emerge in the last few years.
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AlanESep 27, 200765? the critics have got it wrong here. one of the albums of the year. 'i love u in the morning, when ur still hungover'. brilliant stuff.
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PhilDocFeb 22, 2008I cannot stop listening to this cd, It is simply perfect!
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KateN.Mar 1, 2008Brilliant album. Listen to it everyday on the tube. Cannnot understand why people are slating it. The album reminds me my university days.
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AndrewEDec 10, 2007I can't think of an album where every note is milked for every ounce of emotion possible like this one. Even when some of their ideas or songwriting falls flat, the weight of it all makes the album as a whole incredibly resonant. It's a year later, and it still invokes every kind of emotion when I listen to it.
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Awards & Rankings
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Those hoping to be converted are likely still to doubt the 'voice of a generation' tag.
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Under The RadarIt'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]
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UrbA post-electronica, post-rave production that jettisons genres and cherishes uncut creativity. [Jan/Feb 2007, p.77]