Music Collection - W (Part 2 of 3)
Weezer is an alternative rock band that has sounded more and more like a classic rock band as it matured. Weezer is best known for its geeky, offbeat lyrics, and an emotional core that is more personal than the bands it sounds like. It comprises singer/songwriter/guitarist Rivers Cuomo, and three others that lack distinctive voices.
Weezer - Weezer (a.k.a. The Blue Album) - Weezer first made waves with Buddy Holly, a tongue-in-cheek throwback with an undeniable hook. I think the video shipped with Windows 95. Say It Ain’t So, a rocker about alcohol addiction, appealed to a grunge audience. The album is peppy, jangly, geeky, romantic, and endearing. Every single song is a highlight. It was way more fun than the dire, angsty rock coming out c. 1994. From Buddy Holly “Oo-ee-oo I look just like Buddy Holly\Oh, oh and you’re Mary Tyler Moore.” From Undone- The Sweater Song: “If you want to destroy my sweater\Hold this thread as I walk away\Watch me unravel;I’ll soon be naked\Lyin’ on the floor, I’ve come undone.” From In the Garage: “I’ve got my Dungeon Master’s Guide\I’ve got a 12-sided die.” From No One Else: “I want a girl who will laugh for no one else\When I’m away, she puts her makeup on the shelf.” Each clever lyric is set to a catchy melody. The Blue Album walks that tightrope between fun and depth, and I still love this album. 5 stars
Weezer - Pinkerton - Pinkerton was scorned (by me and many others) upon its release. It was darker, less geeky, and not as immediately catchy. Pinkerton, plus the four year wait until the next album, meant that Weezer lost the parts of their audience which were geek-first, music listener second. It didn’t help that the band got sued by Pinkerton, Inc. for the title. I rediscovered this album maybe 6 years later. In the meantime, this album had slowly become a cult favorite, with some diehards claiming that it’s their best. Butterfly is a touching apology for cheating on someone. Pink Triangle is a hilarious rocker about how Rivers fell in love with a lesbian. The reveal: “pink triangle on her sleeve let me know the truth.” El Scorcho is also really funny and catchy: “Goddamn them half-japanese girls do it to me every time…” The first half is darker and filled with distortion - the first song, Tired of Sex, is a painful listen, and what a bad move to put it first! I expect it’s largely responsible for the initial demise of this album. 4 stars
Weezer - Weezer (a.k.a. The Green Album) - By the Green Album, Weezer has completely opted for a darker, richer, rockier sound, leaving behind any fans who preferred the breezier Weezer. The lightest thing here is the excellent Island in the Sun, but with the inventive Hash Pipe, they also proved they could have a hit with harder material. They also corrected their error from Pinkerton: here, it’s the first half that’s classic. The second half is very solid, each song a good listen, but it’s not particularly diverse. That’s fine, as the album is quite short. 4 stars
Weezer - Maladroit - Maladroit is very similar to Weezer, but is heavier, with a fuller sound than anything previously. Bass and low guitars grind and crunch on the opener American Gigolo, where a high guitar flourish provides just enough levity. Dope Nose is a catchy sing-along that’s no less muscular. Basically, Maladroit a hard rock album with a soft rock singer who rocks just enough to pull it off. Keep Fishin’ continues the stream of excellent, catchy tunes, which continues throughout much of the album, but one wishes that the songs had been given more unique performances or arrangements, with a little less in the low frequencies. If they’re going to be a hard rock band, they need James Hetfield or someone. Therefore, Maladroit is not refreshing. It’s satisfying and rewarding, but not refreshing. 3.5 stars
The Roland White Band - Jelly on my Tofu - This is a really cool bluegrass band with contemporary-sounding performances on mandolin, banjo, bass, guitar, and fiddle. The vocals are too twangy even for me, and the singer just sounds like an old hick surrounded by younger talent, even though he still has his mandolin chops. Luckily, many of the tracks are instrumental, led by the title track. Others are sung by a better female vocalist, such as on the fun, bluesy Flesh, Blood, and Bone. 3 stars
Next Up - W (Part 3 of 3) - Divorcees, an ex-beach boy, neo-soul.