Post by ledvedderman on May 28, 2008 10:43:15 GMT -5
With every Weezer release, I always ask myself if, "this is the one that will hit me like "Pinkerton" did". Don't get me wrong. "Green" is one of the best pop rock albums of all time, and "Maladroit" is second to "Pinkerton" in my Weezer heart. It's no secret though that "Make Believe" was a major step backwards for the Weezers (as Rivers calls them). "Perfect Situation" will always be an amazing track, but the rest just left a lot to be desired.
The red album is a step up from "Make Believe" but I'm not sold that it's on the same level as their other releases. I don't know what the issue is, but Rivers seems to not be able to write outside of the AABB format. It started on "Make Believe" and is carrying over to the new album. The lyrics on the new album would challenge Chad Kroeger any day to "worst lyricist on the planet". What the album lacks in lyrics, it is made up for musically and melodically.
The album kicks off with the radio ready tune "Troublemaker". This was originally set to be the first single, but was ditched for "Pork and Beans". Next up is "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived". I cannot come to a point where I am set in myself if I love this song for being epic and so outside the box, or I hate it for being so epic and outside the box. I've heard the band say that there are ten movements in this song, I haven't counted, but it seems like they've got them all covered.
Next up is the lead single, "Pork and Beans". This song was put together in response to the label telling the band that they needed to record a legit first single to promote the album. Rivers was pissed, and the result is "Pork and Beans", full of pop references and a catchy chorus that makes no sense but has a great hook (much like any other radio friendly tune). Musically, it is hard not to hear "El Scorcho" in the verses and then exploding into a loud chorus. "Heart Songs" is Rivers reflecting on the music that has shaped his life. Anything from Debbie Gibson to Nirvana is covered. Not a bad song, but it might be a little early in the album for a slow burn like this one.
"Everybody Get Dangerous" is a safe bet for a single. I'm sure the 14 year old kiddies smokin' behind the bleachers will really dig this one. That doesn't say a whole lot for the song. The main verse riff reminds me of "Can't Stop" (sort of) by the RHCP, and the chorus is just as annoying as "We Are All On Drugs". Next up is a song that SHOULD be released to radio, but I have my doubts that it will. The song "Dreaming" is something I could easily hear on the blue album somewhere right after "Surf Wax USA".
Next up are the two tracks that I care for the least on the album. "Thought I Knew" is a song with Pat on vocals. It's not terrible, but it just feels out of place right here in the tracklisting. "Cold Dark World" has a pretty solid chorus, but the verse lyrics are just beyond terrible. I like the dark sound of the song, but the lyrics just ruin it.
"Automatic" is your typical Weezer song. It doesn't really stand out as much as "Dreaming", but it's still one of my favorites on the album. It has a nice mellow verse and then jumps right into chorus. Now we get to the album closer, "The Angel and the One", and Weezer knocks it out of the park on this one. Perfect closing song for the album. Outside of "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived", this is as close to epic as Weezer has done, and it ends the album on a beautiful note.
Last thoughts: Easily a step up from "Make Believe", but still not on par with "Maladroit". My favorites on the album are "The Angel and the One", "Dreaming" "Pork and Beans", and "Automatic".
I think someone should lock Rivers and Chris Martin in seperate rooms after their bands have recorded the music and don't let them out until they write solid lyrics.
Fun album though.
7.8/10
The red album is a step up from "Make Believe" but I'm not sold that it's on the same level as their other releases. I don't know what the issue is, but Rivers seems to not be able to write outside of the AABB format. It started on "Make Believe" and is carrying over to the new album. The lyrics on the new album would challenge Chad Kroeger any day to "worst lyricist on the planet". What the album lacks in lyrics, it is made up for musically and melodically.
The album kicks off with the radio ready tune "Troublemaker". This was originally set to be the first single, but was ditched for "Pork and Beans". Next up is "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived". I cannot come to a point where I am set in myself if I love this song for being epic and so outside the box, or I hate it for being so epic and outside the box. I've heard the band say that there are ten movements in this song, I haven't counted, but it seems like they've got them all covered.
Next up is the lead single, "Pork and Beans". This song was put together in response to the label telling the band that they needed to record a legit first single to promote the album. Rivers was pissed, and the result is "Pork and Beans", full of pop references and a catchy chorus that makes no sense but has a great hook (much like any other radio friendly tune). Musically, it is hard not to hear "El Scorcho" in the verses and then exploding into a loud chorus. "Heart Songs" is Rivers reflecting on the music that has shaped his life. Anything from Debbie Gibson to Nirvana is covered. Not a bad song, but it might be a little early in the album for a slow burn like this one.
"Everybody Get Dangerous" is a safe bet for a single. I'm sure the 14 year old kiddies smokin' behind the bleachers will really dig this one. That doesn't say a whole lot for the song. The main verse riff reminds me of "Can't Stop" (sort of) by the RHCP, and the chorus is just as annoying as "We Are All On Drugs". Next up is a song that SHOULD be released to radio, but I have my doubts that it will. The song "Dreaming" is something I could easily hear on the blue album somewhere right after "Surf Wax USA".
Next up are the two tracks that I care for the least on the album. "Thought I Knew" is a song with Pat on vocals. It's not terrible, but it just feels out of place right here in the tracklisting. "Cold Dark World" has a pretty solid chorus, but the verse lyrics are just beyond terrible. I like the dark sound of the song, but the lyrics just ruin it.
"Automatic" is your typical Weezer song. It doesn't really stand out as much as "Dreaming", but it's still one of my favorites on the album. It has a nice mellow verse and then jumps right into chorus. Now we get to the album closer, "The Angel and the One", and Weezer knocks it out of the park on this one. Perfect closing song for the album. Outside of "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived", this is as close to epic as Weezer has done, and it ends the album on a beautiful note.
Last thoughts: Easily a step up from "Make Believe", but still not on par with "Maladroit". My favorites on the album are "The Angel and the One", "Dreaming" "Pork and Beans", and "Automatic".
I think someone should lock Rivers and Chris Martin in seperate rooms after their bands have recorded the music and don't let them out until they write solid lyrics.
Fun album though.
7.8/10
. I'd also like to know if anybody has an HD copy of Lifehouse at Pinkpop 2003. BY far their best concert ever