The album was recorded in 2006 in various studios while they were on tour to introduce their 2005 album Silent Alarm. The main point of the record was to transmit some kind of night-urban-lifestyle feeling into it, since the band formed in West London. They addressed issues such as sexuality (Kreuzberg and I Still Remember), drugs (The Prayer and On), terrorism (Hunting For Witches) and discrimination (Where is Home?), four things that are always present inside a big metropolis like London's. In order to fortify this idea, they used one of the pictures of German photographer Rut Blees Luxemburg's work entitled A Modern Project for their album cover, which shows an aerial view of London Westway (and Bloc Party were not the only one to use Luxemburg's project as an album cover. This picture, from the same work, was used for The Streets' debut album: Original Pirate Material). Also, together with the album, they released a B-side record entitled Another Weekend in the City
After the record's release, the critics were divided. Some were disappointed with the band's partial forsake of the contemporary guitar riffs and with the addition of the electronic beats, while others liked Bloc Party's change, claiming that the album showed a grown up band, who matured a lot since their first album. The Guardian listed the record on their compilation list 1000 Albums You Need to Hear Before You Die. Despite that, it never reached the success of their earlier work, only reaching nº2 on UK charts, with the single The Prayer peaking on 4th.
Even though I am not as into Bloc Party as I used to, I have to recognize their skills. They are one of the big symbols of the Post-Punk Revival scene, together with bands like Franz Ferdinand and Interpol, and they usually put Indie Rock in the mix, which is always a good combination, as they've shown. Their lyrics are not something really special, but the instrumentals are nice, and they even have some spectacular songs (most of them are part of the first two albums), but between Silent Alarm and A Weekend in the City, I prefer A Weekend in the City. Why? Well, I agree with the critics who claim that this record portray a more mature version of the Londoner band, it is Kele Okereke's best work when it comes to lyrics, even though they are not something to be amazed about. My favourite tracks, when it comes to lyrics, are Waiting For The 7.18, which is about the routine of an individual working in London, constantly stressed out with work, sick of the day to day grind and wishing to go back to his youth while waiting until the 7:18 train comes; and On, which talks about the effects and after-effects of cocaine. Despite those two, there are not many lyrics that I find very good. I mean, it is not bad but not great either. He could have been more clear (I had to visit Genius to figure out the meaning of the lyrics completely).
About instrumentals: this album is way more calm than Silent Alarm, but it is has some more electronic beats and it invests more in Indie Rock than Post-Punk Revival, unlike the previous record. I loved the instrumentals, specially Song For Clay (Disappear Here), Hunting For Witches, Waiting For The 7.18 and Kreuzberg.
One thing I love about both Song For Clay (Disappear Here) and Waiting For The 7.18 is the fact that they start out as a slow melody and then, suddenly, become violent and full Post-Punk Revival with a very loud guitar, without ruining the song (it is something they did a lot in Silent Alarm) and Hunting For Witches is Bloc Party's one of the best singles ever (instrumentally), together with The Pioneers and The Good News), mainly because of its excellent guitar.
There's a really bad thing on this record, though, and that is the bass. The bass is very repetitive and sometimes almost non-existent. Same chords during all the song while the guitar is kicking hard. The best example is the bass of Hutning For Witches (one of the only flaws of the single). But that is not something new. You can see that on their earlier work (Price of Gas) and on their latest work (Into The Earth), so it isn't something really new, but it's still a flaw.
After this review, my veredict is: **15,5**/20. I meant is a good album (I have it physically, actually), with badass guitars and with a good message, but this message is not clear enough on the lyrics. Even though there is not one single bad song, most of the songs are not something SUPER special but are very listenable and enjoyable. I think it is a fair score.
What do you think? What should I review next? Comment below and I will reply to you, believe it!
About instrumentals: this album is way more calm than Silent Alarm, but it is has some more electronic beats and it invests more in Indie Rock than Post-Punk Revival, unlike the previous record. I loved the instrumentals, specially Song For Clay (Disappear Here), Hunting For Witches, Waiting For The 7.18 and Kreuzberg.
One thing I love about both Song For Clay (Disappear Here) and Waiting For The 7.18 is the fact that they start out as a slow melody and then, suddenly, become violent and full Post-Punk Revival with a very loud guitar, without ruining the song (it is something they did a lot in Silent Alarm) and Hunting For Witches is Bloc Party's one of the best singles ever (instrumentally), together with The Pioneers and The Good News), mainly because of its excellent guitar.
There's a really bad thing on this record, though, and that is the bass. The bass is very repetitive and sometimes almost non-existent. Same chords during all the song while the guitar is kicking hard. The best example is the bass of Hutning For Witches (one of the only flaws of the single). But that is not something new. You can see that on their earlier work (Price of Gas) and on their latest work (Into The Earth), so it isn't something really new, but it's still a flaw.
After this review, my veredict is: **15,5**/20. I meant is a good album (I have it physically, actually), with badass guitars and with a good message, but this message is not clear enough on the lyrics. Even though there is not one single bad song, most of the songs are not something SUPER special but are very listenable and enjoyable. I think it is a fair score.
What do you think? What should I review next? Comment below and I will reply to you, believe it!
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário