MOG

On April 25, I pre-ordered Weezer's sixth album on iTunes. Last night, while I slept, it automatically downloaded to my music library. Imagine my excitement when I discovered it waiting for me when I woke up. I immediately put on my headphones so I could really hear the music, and pushed play. What came out sounded nothing like the Weezer of my youth.

In 1994 I purchased my very first CD, Weezer (Blue Album). I have been there, buying each album since I was five. I know what you're thinking, "OHHH, well, he's just going to have a biased opinion about this album." While, I DO recommend this album, I am not just going to praise it because I have been a life long fan.

This album is a mile stone for Weezer, for the first time since I can remember, lead singer/lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo doesn’t sing all the songs. Each member wrote and sang on this album, which is a major departure from all the previous albums where Cuomo took control of most of the music. Cuomo even took a back seat and played drums on one track.

I can really get behind their new approach to music. With all members contributing, Weezer is becoming more ‘Weezer’ than ever before.

The Red Album starts with an upbeat, anthem ‘Troublemaker’. One of my favorite songs on the album, it has very well written lyrics and contains some of my favorite lines in the entire album, “Who needs stupid books?/ They are for petty crooks/ And I will learn by studying the lessons in my dreams”. The lyrics are interesting and really are what save the song. ‘Troublemaker’ is a little repetitive in my opinion, but its hook filled guitar riffs and catchy melody makes it one of my favorites on the album.

‘Pork and Beans’, the first single, is just that, a commercial song, that Weezer has been so fortunate to be able to write. The music video just recently was released and was a featured video on YouTube. Which is very appropriate given that ‘stars’ like Liam Sullivan as Kelly, the ‘Chocolate Rain’ kid, and Chris Crocker were in the music video that focused on the YouTube sensation. Weezer was one of the first bands to give out free samples of their music online and allowed people to download songs for free. It’s no surprise that they are now turning their attention to YouTube as a legitimate source for marketing their product.

Brian Bell sings the groovy, head bobbing “Thought I Knew’. Cuomo takes over the drums and, if my assumptions are correct that would have Pat Wilson playing guitar, though there is no conformation on that in the booklet.

Since I pre-ordered, I got a bonus track, that most will not, and I have to say, you’re not really missing anything. It’s a good song, don’t get me wrong... let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t pay extra for it. Other than that… the album was pretty good all around. Some of the songs left me wanting more in a good way and others were just lacking in one area another. I’d give it an 8.0 on a scale of 10. It’s a solid album but not the best I’ve heard from my beloved Weezer.