A Weekend In The City

About

"A Weekend in the City" is the second studio album by British indie rock band Bloc Party. It was recorded in mid-2006 at Grouse Lodge Studios in Westmeath, Ireland, and produced by Jacknife Lee. The album was subsequently refined and mixed at several locations in London later that year. It was released on 24 January 2007 in Japan and in early February in other territories, with Wichita Recordings serving as the primary label. It reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and the Irish Albums Chart. In the United States, it debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200. During its production, Bloc Party aimed to move away from a conventional guitar-band sound by incorporating electronically processed rhythms and additional instrumentation. Computer-based editing was used extensively to modify and enhance recorded material, and a string sextet was employed on selected tracks. The lyrics, written by frontman Kele Okereke, address themes including drug use, sexuality, and media responses to moral panic, particularly in relation to terrorism. The album’s initial singles, "The Prayer", "I Still Remember", and "Hunting for Witches", each reflect aspects of these themes. The album received a mixed critical response, with some reviewers praising its ambition and others criticising its execution and songwriting. It is generally regarded as an important stage in the band’s artistic development, and it was included in The Guardian’s "1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die" list. In November 2007, the album was reissued globally with the addition of the track "Flux" to coincide with touring activity. The band developed material for the album during 2005 while touring in support of their debut album "Silent Alarm". They expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of London life upon returning from tour, which influenced the thematic direction of the record. Kele Okereke explored concepts he referred to as "Urbanite Relaxation", focusing on urban life and leisure, and wrote much of the material in 2005 and early 2006. Early recordings were made during soundchecks and captured using a MiniDisc recorder. In early 2006, the band considered several potential producers, including Steve Dub and Jacknife Lee. Bloc Party ultimately chose Lee following a positive working relationship during early sessions for the song "I Still Remember". The group also drew inspiration from a wide range of musical influences, including composers Philip Glass, György Ligeti, and Krzysztof Penderecki, as well as artists such as Amerie and Missy Elliott. They sought to expand their sound while retaining the rhythmic style of "Silent Alarm". Recording took place over approximately six weeks in Ireland. The sessions involved extensive experimentation with instrumentation, effects processing, and recording techniques. The drum recordings were captured using multiple microphones and isolated setups to allow detailed post-production processing. The band and production team used software such as Logic and Pro Tools to manipulate recorded material, including heavy editing of drums and guitars. Synthesiser-like sounds were often created through guitar effects rather than dedicated keyboards. Additional elements such as strings, samples, and ambient sounds were layered into the recordings. After completing the instrumental tracks, the band continued touring before Okereke later returned to record vocals. Several song titles were changed during this period. The album’s final track listing included revisions such as "Song for Clay (Disappear Here)", "The Prayer", "On", and "Where Is Home?". Promotion for the album included advance previews, touring, and radio appearances. The album was leaked in low- and high-quality versions prior to its official release, leading to concern within the band regarding its commercial impact. A North American tour with Panic! at the Disco was cut short due to drummer Matt Tong suffering a collapsed lung. Despite this, promotional activity continued through interviews and live performances. The album was officially previewed in full on 24 January 2007 in Bournemouth, coinciding with its Japanese release, and "The Prayer" was issued as the lead single shortly afterwards. The album’s visual presentation features photography by Rut Blees Luxemburg, depicting an aerial view of London’s Westway. The imagery was selected to reflect the urban themes of the record. Lyrically, the album contrasts everyday urban experiences with larger social and political issues. Songs address subjects such as terrorism, media influence, racial tension, sexuality, and drug culture. "Where Is Home?" references a racially motivated killing and critiques media narratives around youth and crime. "Hunting for Witches" focuses on post-9/11 media fear and the aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings. "Kreuzberg" and "I Still Remember" address themes of sexuality and identity. Other tracks explore drug use, nightlife, and emotional distress, including "The Prayer", "On", "Sunday", and "SRXT", the latter of which is named after the antidepressant paroxetine. Musically, the album combines distorted and layered guitar work with electronic production techniques, extensive vocal layering, and complex rhythmic structures. Tracks such as "Hunting for Witches" include collage-like sound elements, while others incorporate more conventional indie rock arrangements. "Uniform" features extensive vocal overdubbing, and "SRXT" is a slower, more minimalist composition influenced by ambient music. Strings appear on selected tracks, including "On" and "Where Is Home?". Critical response varied, with aggregated reviews indicating generally favourable reception. Some critics praised its ambition and emotional depth, while others criticised its lack of immediacy and perceived weaker songwriting compared to the band’s debut. The album appeared on several end-of-year lists and was included in The Guardian’s "1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die". Commercially, the album performed strongly, reaching number two in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. It was certified Gold in the United Kingdom and achieved higher initial US chart placement than its predecessor. Worldwide sales exceeded one million copies. The single "The Prayer" became the band’s highest-charting UK single, while "I Still Remember" performed strongly on US rock charts.

via Last.fm