The demos presented here are more sparse in sound and instrumentation than the tracks that later appeared on 1982’s La Varieté, the only album released by the band. This is a short set of songs, but it's rather beautiful, and without any moments wasted.
Review: Weekend – The ’81 Demos
National Music Reviews
Weekend
The ’81 Demos
Blackest Ever Black
Street: 03.03
Weekend = Young Marble Giants + Slowdive + Gareth Williams and Mary Currie
Weekend (who existed long before The Weeknd) were an early-’80s UK trio formed in the aftermath of frontwoman Alison Statton’s previous band Young Marble Giants. The demos presented here are more sparse in sound and instrumentation than the tracks that later appeared on 1982’s La Varieté, the only album released by the band. This is a short set of songs, but it’s rather beautiful, and without any moments wasted. Weekend is usually referred to as “post-punk” in the press. Seeing as that is a fairly broad reference, it applies, but the band’s sound is more post-punk in the way that Gareth Williams’ solo work is than, say, PiL. Mid-tempo, often atmospheric, yet playful pieces pair comfortably with delivered vocals that never strain. Every song is good, and there are only four in the set. –T.H.
The ’81 Demos
Blackest Ever Black
Street: 03.03
Weekend = Young Marble Giants + Slowdive + Gareth Williams and Mary Currie
Weekend (who existed long before The Weeknd) were an early-’80s UK trio formed in the aftermath of frontwoman Alison Statton’s previous band Young Marble Giants. The demos presented here are more sparse in sound and instrumentation than the tracks that later appeared on 1982’s La Varieté, the only album released by the band. This is a short set of songs, but it’s rather beautiful, and without any moments wasted. Weekend is usually referred to as “post-punk” in the press. Seeing as that is a fairly broad reference, it applies, but the band’s sound is more post-punk in the way that Gareth Williams’ solo work is than, say, PiL. Mid-tempo, often atmospheric, yet playful pieces pair comfortably with delivered vocals that never strain. Every song is good, and there are only four in the set. –T.H.
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