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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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...
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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-
  7. BrandonA.
    Apr 15, 2008
    10
    Critics 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.
  8. DLG
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    This is wonderful album from start to finish. They're amazing band where the group as a whole work perfect together.
  9. KateN.
    Mar 1, 2008
    10
    Brilliant album. Listen to it everyday on the tube. Cannnot understand why people are slating it. The album reminds me my university days.
  10. PhilDoc
    Feb 22, 2008
    10
    I cannot stop listening to this cd, It is simply perfect!
  11. AnnikaR
    Jan 2, 2008
    10
    Absolutely lovely album. Iit requires a couple of times listening
  12. xcellntM
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    Critics awful. One of the best album in '07. Just listen It several times. Album is hypnotizing. Bloc Party very talanted, this album show that.
  13. AndrewE
    Dec 10, 2007
    9
    I 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.
  14. 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!!!!
  15. Cyrone
    Nov 30, 2007
    9
    The 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.
  16. AlexS
    Nov 20, 2007
    10
    The 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'.
  17. DB
    Nov 6, 2007
    10
    Amazing Album. I`ve listened to it everyday since it came out. Now I want to be a music critic someday and I wanna say that the pro critics on this site suck. I`m not saying this because I adore the album but because a band can do nothing but change. For all who say, "this dosen`t sound like their prevoius work." You guys suck. Get a new job. If a band did sound the same all the time, Amazing Album. I`ve listened to it everyday since it came out. Now I want to be a music critic someday and I wanna say that the pro critics on this site suck. I`m not saying this because I adore the album but because a band can do nothing but change. For all who say, "this dosen`t sound like their prevoius work." You guys suck. Get a new job. If a band did sound the same all the time, they`d be really predictable and boring. Bloc Party takes the step and makes the change flawlessly. D… Expand
  18. AlanE
    Sep 27, 2007
    10
    65? 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.
  19. MarshallM
    Sep 9, 2007
    10
    I'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.
  20. FrancisR.
    Sep 6, 2007
    10
    Its less pop but its wayyyyyyyy better for it.
  21. DaveH.
    Sep 5, 2007
    10
    Quite apart from being a truly great album musically; this is a fantastic social commentary on life in a War on Terror.
  22. JR
    Aug 8, 2007
    8
    one of those albums where i was initially underwhelmed, but eventually really got into it. I'd say it's as good as their first album. best songs: "the prayer" "I still remember" "uniform" "hunting for witches." to be honest there are a few forgettable tracks on this album but most of it's good stuff. The quality of the best songs on this album are easily as good as the best one of those albums where i was initially underwhelmed, but eventually really got into it. I'd say it's as good as their first album. best songs: "the prayer" "I still remember" "uniform" "hunting for witches." to be honest there are a few forgettable tracks on this album but most of it's good stuff. The quality of the best songs on this album are easily as good as the best songs on the first in my opinion. I'm not sure where all these negative reviews are coming from. have a listen, you just might like it.… Expand
  23. ErwinK.
    Aug 7, 2007
    10
    Great 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.
  24. NickM.
    Jul 11, 2007
    8
    While this albums lyrical focus is reigned in, less vague, and somewhat London-centric it doesn't stop the music or the mood from being superb. Even when the lyrics are overbearingly focused onto London it's not totally unbearable Sure you may not live in London, but really it's not London thats important for the mood of the album. London is just the big city of choice for While this albums lyrical focus is reigned in, less vague, and somewhat London-centric it doesn't stop the music or the mood from being superb. Even when the lyrics are overbearingly focused onto London it's not totally unbearable Sure you may not live in London, but really it's not London thats important for the mood of the album. London is just the big city of choice for the band. Musically the album continues in mostly the same vein as Silent Alarm, Tong's impeccable rythym (though at times it feels very repetitive) Lissack's sharp playing, and good use of effects. Moake's basswork is rather sparse, moreso than on Silent Alarm, but he picks up two other instruments to make up for it (glockenspiel on 'Waiting for the 7.18' and 'SRXT' and additional drums on 'Sunday') Kele's vocals are forced at times, but rarely does it detract from the quality of the songs, for me at least. Actually, my largest complaint with the album is the sequencing. The first four tracks are bursting with energy, 'Uniform' is not shabby it self (and is my second favorite song off the album, behind 'Song for Clay') but after 'Uniform' we're lead into a series of mid to low tempo ballad-esque songs. 'On', 'Kreuzberg', 'Sunday', 'SRXT' and the greater portion of 'Where is Home?' are not bad, but they lack the energy that permeates the first 5 tracks. The songs are beautiful but could have been sequenced differently, perhaps to show a greater contrast with the uptempo, more abrasive 'Song for Clay', 'Hunting for Witches', 'The Prayer' and 'Uniform' The album is not going to be Bloc Party's best but it is still a wonderful album that shows Bloc Party is no one-trick pony… Expand
  25. matta.
    Jun 10, 2007
    9
    So Bloc Party changes their sound a little bit and everyone starts saying they're shit. Well fuck them. The band definitely seems to reaching out to a wider audience with this production, but the songs are still gorgeous (sometimes even moreso than Silent Alarm). While that album is still better, this is by no means a sophomore slump. People need to get past their weird and sick So Bloc Party changes their sound a little bit and everyone starts saying they're shit. Well fuck them. The band definitely seems to reaching out to a wider audience with this production, but the songs are still gorgeous (sometimes even moreso than Silent Alarm). While that album is still better, this is by no means a sophomore slump. People need to get past their weird and sick obsession with panning anything that sounds even slightly mainstream and actually start enjoying good music.… Expand
  26. TimF
    May 23, 2007
    9
    More 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.
  27. BenS
    May 20, 2007
    7
    The previous reviewer claims that Bloc Party fans merely represent those who have grown out of Blink 182, is there any truth in this statement? Blink 182, let's not forget, were a truly hideous band, releasing album after album of puerile immaturity, and then suddenly becoming serious in the apex of their career. Sadly, when they realised that their fanbase was moving on, they The previous reviewer claims that Bloc Party fans merely represent those who have grown out of Blink 182, is there any truth in this statement? Blink 182, let's not forget, were a truly hideous band, releasing album after album of puerile immaturity, and then suddenly becoming serious in the apex of their career. Sadly, when they realised that their fanbase was moving on, they released their eponymous album, a collection of dirges that managed to wipe away all the dregs of fun that may have once clung to them. This, of course, left Blink 182 fans slightly confused. Adolescent teenagers the lot of them, they were undergoing the tortous effects of muddled hormones and youthful alienation, but could not connect with middle aged men whining about ghosts, tidal waves and broken relationships. Where now do they go? Well, maybe they would hear a Bloc Party song; full of the melody and longing, and yet blessed with intelligence, musicianship and true passion. These teenagers have grown up with Blink 182, and have found their adolescent fantasies crushed, and therefore the confusion and alienation would connect with them. Here, truly, was a band for them. Then comes 'A Weekend In The City', an album with a wider scope, one that moves their perspectives from themselves and onto the wider world, a place of similar confusion. It is not all alienation and world-wearyness however, as songs such as the glorious 'I Still Remember' give a true anthem of love and longing, that is poignant but hopeful, and will move a generation weaned on pranks and bestiality onto genuine emotion..........of course, that may all be rubbish but it's interesting to speculate.… Expand
  28. TomB
    May 8, 2007
    9
    If I'd reviewed this after my first few listens, I would've given it around 4, but like many others have said, it gets better with time. Not just saying that as a lie but it's true. Some of the lyrics are a bit cack now and then (eg "stamp on the feet of every ballerina") but they're generally pretty good and make for a great social commentary (but i won't go into If I'd reviewed this after my first few listens, I would've given it around 4, but like many others have said, it gets better with time. Not just saying that as a lie but it's true. Some of the lyrics are a bit cack now and then (eg "stamp on the feet of every ballerina") but they're generally pretty good and make for a great social commentary (but i won't go into the whole 'meerr merr meer you only get it if you're from england' thing). Basically, it's good, just not as accessible as their debut..… Expand
  29. MCF
    Apr 28, 2007
    7
    Slightly 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.
  30. BintangP
    Apr 20, 2007
    9
    agree 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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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 »