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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The second album from Scottish electro-pop producer Calvin Harris comes with some fanfare, following as it does a couple of chart-topping singles – “I’m Not Alone” and the inspired link-up with Dizzee Rascal, “Dance Wiv Me”. The first thing that’s clear is that Harris’ proper pop status has beckoned in a clear tweak of style. Ready For The Weekend tones down some of the irony and idiosyncrasy of his sporadically enjoyable 2007 debut I Created Disco, in favour of a more straightforward club sound: less wonky character, but more songs that should impact on dancefloors and, indeed, radio playlists. “The Rain” balances sadness and uplift neatly, plaintive synths colliding with funky electro basslines and deranged saxophone, while “Ready For The Weekend” comes fitted with a big disco hook courtesy of vocalist Mary Pearce. In the words of Harris himself, it’s “stadium dance” – and while that means more hits-in-waiting, it also means potentially smart numbers like “Worst Day”, featuring fast-tongued MC Izza Kizza, feel like they’ve had some of the character bleached out. Still, it’s clearly a record that plays to Harris’ strengths, and if you’ve enjoyed the hits so far, there’s clearly more where they came from. --Louis Pattison
Review
One almost pities the dichotomy that is Calvin Harris: on one hand a wannabe Serious, Credible Artist, but on the other a purveyor of massively popular synth lines piled high on towers of cheese and handbags. Almost, because both hits featured here topped the singles chart. However this album is received, he’s not likely to be short of a few bob anytime soon.
The Dumfries-born songwriter – real name Adam Wiles (why change from Adam to Calvin, really?) – most recently hit pay dirt with I’m Not Alone, a track described by the man himself as a “stadium dance tune”. He’s not wrong: once its transition from sombre lyric and acoustic strum to massive big beats is complete, it’s easy to visualise thousands of people absolutely losing their minds to it. The problem is that these people would act the same way if the artist in front of them were Tiësto. Or Scooter. Or even Basshunter. Puke.
That’s not to say that Harris’ tunes appeal exclusively to a lowest common denominator type of dance music fan, more that this album will most likely be picked up by those who get their music from supermarkets: you’ve heard it on the radio; it’s there, right next to the discounted baked goods; you buy it. Actually, that’s unfair, as there are moments on this second album – his first, 2007’s I Created Disco, spawned the zeitgeist-predicting single Acceptable in the 80s (oh, we laughed then, but with hindsight he called it) – which are pleasantly throwaway, almost in the Groovejet league of package-holiday melodic escapism.
Ready for the Weekend – rightly another single – borders on glorious when its chorus hits, the vocals of Mary Pearce cutting through an impressively catchy instrumental. Dance Wiv Me, number one last summer, is included as something of an afterthought, but there’s no denying Harris is its star, not Dizzee Rascal. Without the Scot’s delicious 8-bit sleaze-beat and contrast-adding monotone vocals, it’s simply a recollection of a young man’s horniness down Notting Hill Arts Club on a Thursday night.
Piano-led closer 5iliconeator presents a different side to Harris, flying close to the textural ambience of Air. It’s a sign that, occasionally, there’s a heart to these often cold, calculated arrangements. But until Adam – sorry, Calvin – opens up a little more, he’ll never attract the ears of the more discerning bass-head. Just the ‘hunters. --Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are considering buying this album because you've heard his singles I'm Not Alone, Dance Wiv Me and Ready For The Weekend and liked them, you should definitely buy this because the rest of the album is just as good, if not better, than those singles! Also, if you like his older songs, buy Ready For The Weekend - it's his best album by far.
It's very catchy as per usual for his songs, all the songs are great (there isn't one song on the whole album that I don't like) and the music is so good you'll find yourself humming it all day. Calvin has definitely not let us down (I was waiting for this album to come out ever since I first discovered him!) and I hope any albums he releases in the future will be as good and fun as this one!
It's very catchy as per usual for his songs, all the songs are great (there isn't one song on the whole album that I don't like) and the music is so good you'll find yourself humming it all day. Calvin has definitely not let us down (I was waiting for this album to come out ever since I first discovered him!) and I hope any albums he releases in the future will be as good and fun as this one!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After playing this album several times I couldn't help thinking how catching the songs were. Then I suddenly realised it was Calvin Harris, the lyrics are more sophisticated (as dance music goes!) the synthesisers sound more loud, the beats more catchier than his first album. Unlike "I created Disco" which had maybe 2 or 3 decent tracks...this is far superior. This is not a second album screaming to be like the first, its clearly better but it needs to grow on you...then its repeat repeat repeat! (even if its the same track again! again!) ...the first track right through kicks off with lyrics ..."these are the good times in your life so put a smile on your face...." Usually if a album is half decent there are a good half dozen tracks this is sheer certain one of them. Mr Harris has a habit of producing music that is catchy and makes you want to dance and if your like me then go and get yourself a copy! ....Cheers Calvin son!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've had this CD for a week and its awesome! Been played everyday at work and its a solid fixture on the radio at work. I really liked his 1st album and thought many of his songs were pretty cool. I saw this in Asda for £7 (hope i dont get chucked off amazon for sayin that!) and thought i'd gotta buy it. It is a great CD - the collaboration wiv Dizzee Rascal ,the song from the coca cola AD (yea yea yea la la la) and his singles ready for the weekend, i'm not alone and Flashback. Its an electro mental fused CD. oh yea he uses a sax (i think, on the 1st track) and the start of Blue sounds like a boy band but then goes all electro clash dash n mash. Great CD well worth it
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good fun
Very accessible to those not necessarily au fait with a lot of this type of music:-) There was much to listen to other than the tracks well known from pop radio. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John
Not as good as the last album
I loved 'I Created Disco', it was something fresh, quirky and fun. Ready for the weekend seems more commercial, almost cheesy in places. Still worth a listen though.
Published 5 months ago by Frankie
really good album, like all the songs, great to dance to
I really like this album, I like all the songs and enjoy dancing to this cd. I like the "dance wiv me" song with Dizzee Rascal. Read more
Published 7 months ago by busy mother
Top dance tunes
i had to have this after seeing him at the Eden project, definetly one for cracking up loud and having a good dance around too, (even in the kitchen). Read more
Published 12 months ago by honey
Two tracks good, rest of the album's unlistenable
Bought this on the strength of Calvin Harris' previous album and singles but apart from the absolutely sublime "Not Alone" and the getup and getready and getout tune "Ready for the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Peej Maybe
Ready for the Weekend
A great second album by Mr Harris.
The album starts off strongly with the varied and funky the rain, my favourite track on the album, it then flows nicely through all... Read more
The album starts off strongly with the varied and funky the rain, my favourite track on the album, it then flows nicely through all... Read more
Published 20 months ago by russnufc
Review for the weekend
When I first heard Calvin's track Acceptable in the 80's I was impressed, catchy cheesy disco with a modern twist. Read more
Published 21 months ago by TheCorm
Calvin Nails It!
After his debut album: I Created Disco was disliked by reviewers and created little impact, Calvin returned with a whole new pack of killer dance tunes! Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by Timothy W. Mills
amazing
If you like dance music then buy this, it is my total best music listen of the past year! - if you like Calvins singles you will love this, it has tune after great tune, the pace... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by Thinker
Top Rated
Ideal music for the 'old skool' - about the best there is out there !
Published on 24 Dec 2009 by I. HOLT
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