Weezer Lose Their Attitude On Raditude
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 1:03PM ;)
Weezer and I go way back. I was nine years old when The Blue Album came out and still remember watching the Spike-Jonze-directed Happy Days video for "Buddy Holly" in my grandparents' living room, since we didn't have cable. They've written "an album or two" since then and are back with a new release, Raditude.
The first time I took this album for a spin, I absolutely hated it. I actually texted Dan about it, realizing that it would be my first negative review for AudioADD. After a second listen, I can think in terms of albums they've done in the past. There are some solid tracks, and some that just plain don't work. Here's my rundown:
Like most Weezer albums do, Raditude starts off with a lighthearted pop-rock anthem, complete with acoustic guitars, clapping and welcome three-part harmonies in "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To." It follows the typical Weezer formula to a T, which is a good thing. Following is another groovy jam, "I'm Your Daddy." So far, there's nothing new here. This album's the same as... wait - is that a synthesizer in the bridge? This sounds like a Kylie Minogue interlude - not a Weezer bridge.
"The Girl Got Hot" is where things start to feel a little old-hat on this record. It's almost a carbon copy of "Keep Fishin'" with different words. Another thing that I noticed is that every song so far has referenced "partying." Are they trying to establish a theme here? Apparently so, and it gets worse.
When the next song starts, all I can think is "Really? What the hell is this? 'Gotta have Patron'? Really?". It's bad - "Can't Stop Partying" features Lil Wayne and is a true abomination. It sounds like a second-grader who just learned his scales on the keyboard sat in with the band for this track. The song is built almost entirely electronically, making it more of a Lil Wayne song featuring Rivers Cuomo rather than a Weezer song featuring Lil Wayne. I can leave this kind of stuff to YouTube - but it really shouldn't end up on a record.
"Put Me Back Together" brings an acoustic feel to the album, but in a strange way. I understand that Weezer's always been "poppy," but this sounds like it could be the work of Dashboard Confessional or (dare I say) Jonas Brothers.
Maybe it's the swing beat that gets me, but the next song "Tripping Down The Freeway" gets me back into the groove of the album. It's that very swing beat that is super-overused by Weezer, especially in their singles, but it's so catchy that I don't want them to stop using it! This is exactly the type of song I'd expect to be on a Weezer album in 2009.
Just when I thought we were back on track, "Love Is The Answer" starts of with a sitar intro. With a little Nelly Furtado flavor, we realize that this is not the same "Pink Triangle" Weezer. I keep longing for these guys to get back in the garage (pun intended). My wish is almost granted with the next track, "Let It All Hang Out," which reminds me a lot of "Pork And Beans." It seems like the band's starting a trend of identifying huge hits and copying them onto later records - a tip they learned from Nickelback?
With "In The Mall" we're right back into the Weezer formula. The song really isn't about anything, and it's just not that good. With a band known for writing 50+ songs with multiple versions for every record, you'd think they'd have the foresight to cut out the ones that were mediocre. "I Don't Want To Let You Go" sounds like it could have been played at a prom for the couples dance. It's actually a beautiful song that's really well-written. I guess if you throw 15 darts with your eyes closed, one or two are bound to hit the bullseye.
"Turn Me Round" caught me off guard and made me wonder where the Pinkerton sound came from. This one is an absolutely SOLID, down and dirty Weezer song. Once again, the momentum is back only to be ended by throwing in "Get Me Some," a track that could have ended in three different places (give it a rest!) and that truly belongs on a Three Days Grace album. This band wasn't built for butt-rock.
A Ben Folds piano intro starts off "Run Over By A Truck," perhaps my favorite track on the record. It's a versatile song with the drive and passion that most Weezer fans know the band is capable of. "The Prettiest Girl In The Whole Wide World" still sounds like an old Weezer song, but there's nothing new about it, and frankly it's a little boring.
Closing out Raditude is a slow ballad called "The Underdogs" featuring an 808 and a triangle. This sounds like it could be a chart-topper in 1992, but certainly not by Weezer. In fact, it has a big Michael Jackson "Heal The World" feel.
Overall, I realize that I've come to expect a lot from Weezer. They've written some amazing music over the course of their career and have covered a few different genres that they could really pull off. For someone that's been following this band for a while, Raditude has its high points, but in general leaves a lot to be wanted. For someone that's only been exposed to their last couple of albums, it might be right on the money. I think this record would have been better if they'd just stuck to what worked and put out an eight-track record with the good stuff instead of doubling the track list by pumping it full of underwhelming experiments. I give Raditude a "C-".
Reader Comments (2)
great review! thanks!
I wouldn't even steal a new weezer album.