Bloc Party ‎– A Weekend In The City

For their sophomore disc, the Party wanted a more expansive sound while trying to show some maturity. They sure got the sonic qualities down; but many thought the actual music didn't support those. Well, to me, I gave them a shot. It's worth this risk to try and grow up. Of course, it's hard not to when you're dealing with fame...and terrorism, due to the July 7th, 2006, attacks on London - the basis behind "Hunting for Witches". There are a lot more keyboard textures as well, but they don't draw too much away from the very strong material. "Where is Home?" is a scathing report on racial hatred against blacks in London. If you aren't moved, shame on you. The two bonus tracks here (this version was originally sold in U.S. Best Buy stores) try to bridge the gap between SILENT ALARM and here, added as footnotes here. Becoming mature is hard; coming up with more challenging material is harder. These accounts of "typical" life in London on a weekend (all sections) paint a very complex picture. Maturity mission: accomplished.