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Calvin Harris
Ready For The Weekend
Ultra Records
out August 18th
48/100
[Rating Scale]
[rating:48/100]
Calvin Harris wants to stick to the music, and for good reason. On his sophomore effort, Ready For The Weekend he has a lot to be proud of. The album is thought out, textured, and deserves better than a treatise on 90s handbag house. As Calvin himself says, “There are a huge volume of reviews that aren’t even based on the music. They barely say anything about the record.” I do not intend for this to be one of those reviews.
In and of itself, the music on Ready For The Weekend is not bad. In each track there is at least one moment of excitement—an excitement of the sort that makes you want to ratchet up your dance moves to a new and often dangerous level. Unfortunately, the dances best suited for this album take place in the cafeteria of my old middle school. Don’t blame the music though, which is truly not bad, blame it on the vocals.
Somewhere, buried beneath Calvin Harris’ juvenile lyrics and processed voice—lacking authenticity, muscle, subject matter, and the benefit of an advanced rhyming dictionary—there is a potent pop album wanting to come out. Given to the right lead men or women, some of these tracks could have shined.
The album begins with promise. The first 45 seconds of “The Rain” are genuinely inspired, a call to leave your spot next to the punch bowl and approach the dance floor. It seems like the track, and the album, can go anywhere. Maybe some Nomo-like afro-beat funk, maybe some Guillermo Scott Herren A.D.H.D. electronica, maybe some Justin Timberlake/Timbaland dirty pop, either way it is time to dance. And then the singing starts and it becomes all too apparent where we are going… and where we will stay, at least until Dizzee Rascal takes the helm on the no-brainer summer hit “Dance Wiv Me” and reminds some of this early promise. However, for reasons unknown, that particular track is buried in the #13 slot and by then the damage has been done.
[audio=http://pmatunes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/01-the-rain.mp3,Calvin Harris - The Rain]
It’s not that the album isn’t catchy (try not to get the title track stuck in your head) and it’s not like it lacks range, it’s just that it lakes depth. Even as far as fluff goes, it is unconvincing. At almost every point of this album, I wished I was listening to another vocalist—Kanye, Justin Timberlake, Prince, Beck, Ben Folds, Kylie Minogue, Chris Martin, even the Backstreet Boys. It is a testament to Calvin Harris’ range as a producer that I heard venues for all these other artists, but not good news for the album that they were so sorely missed.
[audio=http://pmatunes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/02-ready-for-the-weekend.mp3,Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend]
The album ranges across a variety of approaches, each custom built and meticulously crafted to appeal to the dance crowd. There is a reason Harris felt the need to pretend to lose the only existing copy of the album at Heathrow in order to buy some time to finish it. The production is crisp and textured and never dwells too long in one place. Most pop artists would do more than lie about baggage handling problems to get on the finished product. Ultimately though, it is the waste of these tunes that is the real letdown of Ready For The Weekend. After one listen through, the only thing you will be ready for is a remix/collaboration album, or domination of an 8th grade dance.
40-49 — Average. A mixed bag. Not Bad, but not good. (Rating Scale)
by on August 24, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely disagree. I thought this album was much better than his last; I’ve had it on repeat for like 4 days. I’m shocked that this got a lower rating than the new Simian Mobile Disco album. Srsly.
I disagree with the rating but agree with what was holding this album back from being truly great. However, his mainstream appeal is becoming more and more apparent. I put on ‘Stars Come Out’ and my friends that ‘hate’ that kind of music got really into it. I’ve also had this album on repeat! It’s so much fun!
Limits and Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La are my favourites from the new album. Flashback and Stars Come Out are also great. This definitely didn’t deserve a 48.
I completely agree.. some of the worst lyrics ever set to music, and the music itself, although fun, is quite forgettable.
What the hell ever, who rated this CD? A 48 are you kidding me? If you don’t like the style don’t knock the album. Calvin Harris is WAAAAAYYY better than any of the other guys trying to bring back a fun and upbeat funky/fun house music feel.
The review is well written, but the opinion is shit.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I respect yours. Though I think you’re rating this album as if it was a Grizzly Bear album or something.. taking depth and lyrics into play in dance music is stupid. “D.A.N.C.E.” was easily one of the best songs of 2007 and all it really did was count to 5, spell dance and beat. If ya know what I mean…
I spent the last 20 or so minutes listening to this album on the Lala player.. it’s complete garbage. Good looking out PMA.
I like “I Created Disco” just a little better, but he’s got some sick tracks on this one. Thanks for the stream. I’m definitely going to pick this one up. Oh and if you haven’t noticed.. I respectfully disagree with your review
just got this today for my birthday, very very good album but it kinda gets a little bit boring after flashback (except dance wiv me which is awesome). I’d give it a 65-70.
It wasn’t as good as I was expecting – although it has grown on me with a few repeat listens. Best track is “Relax”
Good call on this one. Lately, I’ve been finding myself disagreeing on your recent album reviews (I’d give The xx somewhere between 82-86, while Simian Mobile Disco’s latest release gets a quite solid 70). Best track here is the title track, “Ready for the Weekend”.
Slightly disagree with the review. I like to listen to it. I wanted more music like I’m not alone than what we got. I’ll listen, enjoy & then file it away.
Personally, I liked this album. It isn’t consistently brilliant, but I think it’s fair to say that ‘Stars Come Out’ , ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…’ and ‘Worst Day’ are good tracks. I agree that the lyrics do let down the music a little, and maybe future albums would benefit from more guests like Dizzee Rascal and Izza Kizza. Also, you should check out Calvin covering ‘Fire’ by Kasabian in the live lounge:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/livelounge/artist/090812_calvinharris.shtml
It’s really good
Bjorn
x
im also of the belief that this album should have been rated higher, i feel you’re basing too much of its rating lately on lyrics. it’s not always about the lyrics, this album is a lot of fun regardless
This album DEFINITELY deserves a higher rating than 48! I haven’t been able to stop playing it since I got it. And even though Calvin Harris doesn’t have the best voice, I think he’s doing very good with what he has. I believe he will get even better though as time goes on. Its a fun album; shouldn’t be taken too seriously
i’m not alone is fantastic, but you’re spot on saying that with any other vocalist this album would’ve been superb….
although you cannot deny his creative prowess, check out his world’s first “SKINTHESISER”………although typically he names it the less catchy “humanthesiser” :
http://tinyurl.com/kv23e5
The new album is pretty unmemorable, which is sad because “I Am Not Alone” is a great (the tinkering with house and the lyrical concept of “meeting God on the dance floor”).
I only wish you didn’t sound so apologetic for not liking it.
i don’t agree with the ratings. The sound is good, and we must keep in mind that calvin harris is not a singer, but a DJ. And he’s quite good at it.
The lyrics might be “juvenile”, we can’t help to dance.
My favorite songs are “The Rain”, “Ready for the week end”, “Stars Come out”, “Limits” and “Yeah Yeah Yeah lalala”.
The only thing I could say is that the first album was better, because it sounded more electro. This one sounds “discoer”^^
The rating for this album is ridiculous, it should have gotten a higher rating. Best songs are “Im not alone” and “Ready for the weekend”
I really want him to make more songs like Im not Alone.