WEEZER
Reviewed by Dominic Pierce-Toogood
Their concerts sell out in minutes, their t-shirts are currently an essential part of every high schooler's wardrobe. Why, you may ask? Well, after listening to this album I really don't know!
This quirky offering from the supposed new mastermind of pop, Rivers Cuomo (the new indie-kid's messiah), leaves you feeling that you are missing the point … but are you really? There are so many musical styles going on here, so many changes in genre mid-song, that it's all too clever for its own good.
At times Weezer sound like a schizophrenic art school band - they play with confidence but there exists an underlying confusion as to where the song is heading next. Don’t get me wrong - when Weezer stay in character for those few seconds during each song they are quite excellent with Rivers Cuomo's and Brian Bell's guitars the most striking attribute. Their songs of alienation and self-loathing could all stand as classics but all are left with far too many unfinished edges.
I am told that their 'green' and 'blue' albums were far better than this, so save yourself some money and get a friend or local art school student to lend you their copy.
For more information, check out http://www.weezer.com.
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Weezer play the slick, power/pop/punk that permeates the punk scene these days. Thankfully, their music usually has a little bit of that all-so-necessary rough edge to push it out of the "too-poppy" genre and more into Ramones territory. That's when "Weezer" is at its best.
For example, "Hash Pipe" is a great, chunky song, as is the hard-driving "Crab." "Island in the Sun," however, would be great for Top 40 radio, but it doesn't score any points with those looking for loud, fast guitars. Now, I understand that punk bands like to experiment these days (Green Day or The Offspring anybody?). But when the "experimentation" leads to a song that isn't any more original than your standard, "gotta-have-a-song-for-radio" tune, what's the point?
Strangely, even at a mere 28 minutes, "Weezer" seems a little long. A couple of songs seem no more than filler and - when your whole album runs less than half an hour, that really stands out. Still, there are several strong songs and "Weezer" isn't a complete waste. But I'll still take a good ol' Ramones record any day.
Weezer was produced by The Cars' Ric Ocasek and his influence is apparent on several tracks, most notably the aforementioned "Hash Pipe."
For more information, check out http://www.weezer.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2002 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 30 Sep 2024 15:31:17 -0400.
