Weezer (2008)
 

First Listen Today, I like the Band but it's been a while since they had an album that I really liked. Here's my initial reactions...


http://stereogum.com/img/weezer-red_album-cover.jpg


1. Troublemaker - Not exactly a good song, but not unbearable. If I don't hear it again I won't be heart broken. Lyrics and rhythm are lazy and boring. 5\10

2. The Greatest Man that ever Lived - This one is all over the place. Sirens blare behind a simplified beat that reminds me of church before distorted guitars and drums take over. That all bleeds into an acoustic guitar and harmonizing vocals chorus and a trendy drum line church (again) choir style section, the song of more a series of movements then any sort of structured composition and is interesting at worst on the first listen. Could have done without the talking section. I may like this song or I may tire of it quickly, so far so good. 7.5\10

3. Pork and Beans - This is the single you've heard (if you've heard it) It's disappointing that this has become the typical Weezer single, but it's not awful. There are elements of what makes them a band I've really enjoyed at times. Overall just kind of a blah song. 6\10

4. Heart Songs - Apparently a sort of mellow acoustic ode to the influences that have inspired and motivated the band's sound. Sort of a cool idea, but nothing spectacular as a song, I think about 200 songs use that chord progression rhythm. 6.5\10

5. Everybody get Dangerous - A sort of nostalgic up-tempo look at growing up, sort of an out-of-place song content wise, but so far the album does not seem to have specific direction or message. The last minute or so is the only real creative part of the song. 5.5\10

6. Dreamin' - An sort of punk rock styled ballad I guess, chorus driven, but layered enough to keep you interested. It follows the same sort of formula as much of the album but this song seems to work a little better. There is a more consistent feel that makes it's more believable. The jury is still out on the mellow vocal harmony driven second half and the recyclable power chord backing but the transition back to the chorus is very strong. 7\10

7. Thought I knew - Featuring Brian Bell on lead vocals, another pretty ordinary song that I could live without. Another song that sounds like it's been done before a few too many times. 5.5\10

8. Cold Dark Plce - Sort out foggy feel to the song is a nice touch. Lyrics are simple and distracting amongst the songs otherwise serioius atmosphere. The bridge could have been avoided as well as the distant 80's style instrumental interlude. 6\10

9. Automatic - Maybe the sound is growing on me, but I feel like the songs get better as this album goes on. Nothing that knocks your socks off but a good rock song following the rules and plenty loud for the genre. 6.5\10

10.The Angel and the One - Soothing, simple finale does a nice job out of the gate setting a tone and mood and allowing for the progression and build of the song to gather momentum. Would have been nice to see more of this type of patience and persistence on some of the more poppy songs on the album, a good final number with some of the strongest guitar work on the album. 7\10



http://stereogum.com/img/weezer-pork...eans_cover.jpg

(Out of Five Stars) *****

Music: ***1\2
Lyrics: **
Artistic Aspect: ***


Overall:
6\10
C+
For Fans of the Band Only

Really like the way you've presented this review, track-by-tracks have been poorly done in the past. Not an album I'll bother with by the looks of it...

Thanks and I'd say no. Not unless you really like the band.

Thanks Chris, nice to see a new poster checking out the reviews.

I certainly will keep listening as I own it now and it'll be in my regular rotation until something else replaces it. I was not surprised by the versatility of the band, they have been playing for a long time and are very capable musicians, I didn't hate the concept, but neither Automatic nor Cold Dark Place really did anything for me.

When have Weezer ever had an artistic album?

good review... i am a fan of the band but i didnt really care for this album.

Interesting, I didn't know this... also I didn't know that was Brian Bell on "Thought I knew" I thought it was the bassist for some reason. This album is pretty bad... when the hit single is a song like "pork and beans" (which isn't all that great) you know the album is in trouble.

Good review btw, I would have given the album a D+/C... you were very generous.

p.s. just saw the video for Pork n Beans... now that was some funny ****, check it out if you haven't already.

This is my second favorite weezer album.
Trouble Maker, is a good song. I really like it, its so fun to rock out to. Maybe one of my faves
Greatest Man that songs so bohemian rhapsody, and i LOVE it
Pork and Beans Very funny song, but it gets old.
Heart Songs Agh, this song is so dumb, and really boring
Everybody Get Dangerouse My favorite song on the album, maybe...or like secind actually, its also the funnest on this cd!
Dreamin'ahh, its fun...when your in you car....I dont know, i like it, but its just not something i can JUST listen to
Thaught I knew...IS SO AMAZING! Brians voice=love! OLD MAN HOT!!

Very well written review. I enjoyed the way you presented it. I bought Weezer's last album when I found out Rick Rubin was the producer. I've always been kind of a fan of the band, but they aren't my favorite or anything. That one album is the only one I have. I felt like it could have been waaaay better than it was, so I'm not sure I'll buy any more until they release a best hits or something. The new song is alright.....the video is funny as hell.

This has become actually one of my favorite songs. On first listens it sounds like a series of unrelated stylistic parodies of popular styles of the last 10 years or so, but after a few go-rounds its musical unity becomes more obvious, as is the fact that the movements between sections are not arbitrary... it's a gradual build from less tuneful (the rap part at the beginning) to pretty damn transcendent gregorian harmonies wrapped up in a Green-Day-esque fast attack on the theme that just about makes me explode.