The Weekend: Friday
ep
ArtistForever the Sickest Kids
CoverFTSK TW-F.jpg
ReleasedNovember 17, 2009
Recorded2008–2009
StudioRed Bull Studios, Santa Monica, California
The Lair Studio, Los Angeles, California
SKYlab, Fort Worth, Texas
Maximum Volume, New York City[1]
Genre
Length20:52
LabelUniversal Republic
Producer
Prev year2008
Next year2011

The Weekend: Friday is an EP by American pop punk band Forever the Sickest Kids. It was released on November 17, 2009, through Universal Republic.[2] The EP peaked at number 107 on the Billboard 200. It was supported by two singles for its release: "What Do You Want from Me" and "She Likes (Bittersweet Love)".

Background

The EP was originally intended to be a mini-LP, and was to be the first part of The Weekend series, with Saturday and Sunday following.[3] Lead guitarist Marc Stewart explained that the idea was to "have a lot of music come out really quick [...] we'll be able to send out a CD with seven songs every six to nine months, or through the course of a year."[4] However, as a large number of songs were written, the band decided to release a full-length self-titled album instead.[5] On September 21, 2009, the group announced the release date of the EP.[6] On November 13, the band streamed the entire EP on their Myspace page.[7]

The first single from the EP, "What Do You Want from Me", was originally released on October 30, 2009.[8] A music video was later released on YouTube in late December.[9] On March 19, 2010, the single was re-released for the film Diary of a Wimpy Kid, entitled "What Do You Want from Me (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Mix)".[10]

The second single from the EP, "She Likes (Bittersweet Love)" was released on January 14, 2010.[11] In April 2010, the band had posted multiple teaser videos on their YouTube account in preparation for the release of the full music video for the song.[12][13] The music video for the song premiered on April 19.[14]

The band supported British band You Me at Six on their UK tour in March 2010.[15] In May and June, the band went on the Bamboozle Road Show 2010 tour.[16]

Composition

Most of the songs on the EP were written about relationships, such as "Tough Love", "She Likes (Bittersweet Love)" and "Take It Slow", as told by Stewart to Alternative Press. The last track "What Do You Want from Me" is about thinking for yourself instead of listening to others, which Stewart said was written "during a time in our lives when everyone was trying to push us in different ways."[17]

Critical reception

The Weekend: Friday was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Tim Sendra of AllMusic remarked, "The enthusiasm of the band and Cook, the hermetically sealed production techniques, and the overall catchiness of the tunes give the band and the EP a boost that helps them stay afloat in the still rising tide of emo-pop bands in the late 2000s." However, he was critical on the track "Hawkbot", as he called it a, "wrongheaded idea."[1] Blake Solomon of AbsolutePunk.net gave a mixed review labelling songs like "Hawkbot" and "Hip Hop Chick", "pieces of absolute garbage." However, he did state, "A lot of attention has been correctly given to the choruses, and for the most part they end up stuck in your head."[18] A negative review came from Ryan Drever of The Skinny criticizing the "auto-tune riddled vocals" and "sparkly synths." However, he praised the EP's production and harmonies.[19]

Track listing

All vocals by Jonathan Cook, Austin Bello, and Caleb Turman, except where noted.

Notes
  • "Do or Die" is a rewrite of the song "Stop Giving Your Love" by Been Bradley, the acoustic/electronic project Bello and Turman created before the formation of Forever the Sickest Kids.
  • Chae Hawk, who was featured in "Hawkbot", was previously featured in a remix of the band's song "Believe Me, I'm Lying", which was included as a track on the band's deluxe edition of their previous release, Underdog Alma Mater.

Personnel

Credits for The Weekend: Friday adapted from AllMusic.[20]

Forever the Sickest Kids
Additional musicians
  • Chae Hawk – guest vocals on "Hawkbot"
Production and artwork

Charts

Chart performance for The Weekend: Friday
Chart (2009)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 (Billboard)[21]107
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[22]23
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[23]33

Release history

Release formats for The Weekend: Friday
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
VariousNovember 17, 2009CD · digital downloadUniversal Motown[2]
United KingdomMarch 29, 2010CD[4]

References

  1. ^ Tim Sendra. "The Weekend: Friday Review by Tim Sendra". AllMusic. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Weekend: Friday by Forever the Sickest Kids". iTunes. 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  3. ^ Pete Freedman (March 10, 2011). "Q&A: Forever The Sickest Kids' Jonathan Cook Talks About Finally Having The Time To Make The Record His Band Wanted With Its Latest.". Dallas Observer. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Jon Ableson. "Interview: Forever the Sickest Kids". Alter the Press!. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Forever the Sickest Kids Interview with Jonathan Cook (Vocals) and Austin Bello (Guitar/Vocals)". Indie Vision Music. February 12, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Forever The Sickest Kids set release date". The Music. September 21, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  7. ^ Paul, Aubin (November 13, 2009). "Forever The Sickest Kids: 'The Weekend: Friday'". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "What Do You Want from Me - Forever the Sickest Kids on MySpace". MySpace. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Tamar Anitai (December 14, 2009). "Video Premiere: Forever The Sickest Kids, 'What Do You Want From Me'". MTV. Archived January 7, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  10. ^ "What Do You Want from Me? (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Mix) - Single by Forever the Sickest Kids". Apple Music. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  11. ^ "Start calling your local radio station to request our song #shelikes!". No. 7759427260. January 14, 2010.
  12. ^ "Forever the Sickest Kids - PPPGA 1 of 3". YouTube. 5 April 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Forever The Sickest Kids - She Likes (Bittersweet Love)". YouTube. 19 April 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  14. ^ "Forever The Sickest Kids She Likes (Bittersweet Love) Video". Rockdirt.com. April 25, 2010. Archived August 14, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "You Me At Six plan UK tour with Forever The Sickest Kids". Alternative Press. December 9, 2009. Archived April 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Kreps, Daniel (February 24, 2010). "LMFAO, Third Eye Blind, Boys Like Girls Lead Bamboozle Roadshow". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  17. ^ "Track-By-Track: Forever The Sickest Kids". Alternative Press. December 7, 2009. Archived June 4, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  18. ^ Blake Solomon (November 15, 2009). "Forever The Sickest Kids - The Weekend: Friday EP". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived July 19, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Ryan Drever (March 29, 2010). "Forever The Sickest Kids: The Weekend - Friday". The Skinny. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Weekend: Friday - Forever the Sickest Kids Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Forever the Sickest Kids Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived November 14, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  22. ^ "Top Alternative Albums: Week of December 5, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Top Rock Albums: Week of December 5, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2023.