In his latest book Eating the Dinosaur Chuck Klosterman speaks briefly about Weezer and how they consistently disappoint their fans who often expect much more from the band than they receive. That was undeniably true on their last album, the atrocious Red Album. But do the band live up to expectations with their new album Raditude?
Despite the much-maligned album title, the band get off to a very good start with "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To". The peppy hook-filled track sounds like the band is making a charmingly quirky return to form. Drums from Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses, A Perfect Circle) punch up a head bopping "I'm Your Daddy" while "The Girl Got Hot" features an irresistible rumbling bounce.
On a couple of occasions we get Rivers Cuomo and company stepping well out of their comfort zone. A sitar and vocals from Amrita Sen highlight an otherwise unnoteworthy "Love Is the Answer", while an ill-advised rap interlude isn't enough to derail the catchy "Can't Stop Partying".
As the album progresses the inconsistencies creep in. "Put Me Back Together" and "Let It All Hang Out" are no better than average Weezer album fillers. "I Don't Want To Let Your Go" is plodding and overproduced, as is the string-heavy "The Story Of My Life".
Lyrically, the album is as clever as ever. There may be fewer bizarre pop culture references, but Cuomo makes up for that with an ample supply of witty turns of phrase.
While Raditude is not going to make anyone through away their copies of Pinkerton, it will help to wash away the bad taste the Red Album left in people's mouths.
Best tracks: "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To)", "The Girl Got Hot"
Track listing for Raditude:
- (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
- I'm Your Daddy
- The Girl Got Hot
- Can't Stop Partying
- Put Me Back Together
- Tripping Down the Freeway
- Love Is the Answer
- Let It All Hang Out
- In the Mall
- I Don't Want To Let You Go
- The Story of My Life
Weezer's Myspace
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