CD Review: Weezer's Return a Joyous Event-(West Virginia U.)
By: Brad Tennant - U-WIRE
May 24th 2001 6:26pm
(U-WIRE) MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The triumphant return of the geek gods of rock, Weezer, is a joyous occasion. These guys hip to be square in again. Big, square black glasses immediately became a common occurrence after lead singer/songwriter Rivers Cuomo donned his back in the mid-'90s. The band paved the way for a lot of the hip and nerdy artists of today. Steven Soderburgh won the directing Oscar last year, even with his birth control glasses. Saturday Night Live's Tina Fey wears the same dorky frames, but still leads the pack of funny, and particularly hot nerd chicks. I think I even saw Vice President Dick Cheney don a pair of these rockin' retro specs (whether he does it just for the fad or just to see is irrelevant). We, the public, owe this band big time. And now we can repay them by buying the newly released The Green Album. The group's third album, referred to as The Green Album because it isn't titled but the cover is green, is the best thing to happen to rock since their debut album. It rings with snappy vocals and grinding guitars without losing the fun '60s feel Weezer brought back from the dead. The first single release is "Hash Pipe," a solid rocker from start to finish. It doesn't have the instant head bob that you got with "Buddy Holly," but the hooks are just as addictive after a few listens. The meat of the album, however, is what makes the band. And just like the first album, this one is a breath of fresh air for the depressing and predictable music business. "Island in the Sun," the fourth track, is the most laid back of the lot. Off beat light guitar lead into some catchy backing vocals. But each song has its own little catch. There are oldie-sounding harmonies on nearly every song, and Weezer once again seems to be just having fun. It might sound too pop-ish at times, but they are quick to bring in the crunch distortion to even things out. You could go on forever about the selling points of this album, but a better way is to work backwards. The only things keeping this album from being the perfect rock catch is time and variety. The album is under 30 minutes with only 10 songs. Granted, all 10 are great, but none wander close to the five minute mark. There are also no tear-jerkers on the album, and none are as off beat as the grinding and sad "Only in Dreams" or the cheery yet gloomy "Say It Ain't So." All the songs are catchy and creative, but The Green Album lacks the inspired variance of The Blue Album. Those two details keep this record at the 9 level. Nonetheless, if you're going to buy an album soon, make it this one. It's the summer record of the year for sure.
 (C) 1999 The Daily Athenaeum via U-WIRE
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