*****
Premiere Magazine posted a decent interview with Cillian Murphy. The first half is pretty good when he's talking about the new movie Sunshine.
*****
I picked up Bloc Party’s new CD, A Weekend in the City, on Tuesday and I have finished listening to it twice so far (I was in the car for a long time yesterday). I am still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about it. I was mega-hyped up for this album about a month ago, and that might be working against it, but so far I’m pretty disappointed. This CD has almost none of the same qualities that made their first one, Silent Alarm, really likeable and repeatable. This latest venture is heavily produced and completely lacking of their trademark indie pop attitude. The best way I think I can describe it is that this album reminds me of the way U2’s career path has gone. They went from a really edgy, independent sound to an over-produced, highly commercial vehicle. U2 turned themselves into a walking political billboard and financial juggernaut over the course of the last 20 years, while their musical style has obviously changed as well. Bloc Party managed to make this leap over the course of two years and one album. Now the only thing left to be seen is if they can turn this change into cash like U2.
This album is following the mold of many other new bands whose first album comes out and after a while finds pretty good success. The band starts touring and more and more people eventually come out to their shows. All of a sudden the band starts to feel like they’ve got something to say and all these people want and are paying to hear it. It’s a common mistake, and its killed more than its fair share of bands. At least it has for me. I know tons of people still listen to Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I’ll never understand that. The good thing for Bloc Party is they are probably going to get their wish. Songs from this album will be heard in mall stores (i.e. Abercrombie, Hollister) everywhere and they’ll probably wind up with a lot of money, but I’ll be stuck listening to their first album.
I guess the only thing I can say about this album is that it really isn’t bad, just unimpressive and disappointing. Will I ever listen to it again? Yes, I do like some of the songs a decent amount. Will it pass Silent Alarm? In sales, sure, but I probably won’t stop listening to Silent Alarm before I stop listening to A Weekend in the City.
1 comment:
Why would I disagree with you about U2? The only thing they do now is star in crappy IPOD commercials, release shitty albums, and champion causes to make themselves look good. In essence, Bono is your typical whiney, self satisfied liberal:
He constantly questions authority, but has no answers as to how they can improve things. Sorry Bono, feeding starving children in Africa won't solve all the worlds problems.
Post a Comment