Weezer, releasing albums since 1994, has always defined itself as a band that does not look back. Their seventh release ‘Raditude’ makes this all the more evident to listeners who are nostalgic for the strong alternative sound from the mid-90s.
‘Raditude’ is not an album for the fans who define Weezer according to their first two releases, ‘The Blue Album’ and ‘Pinkerton,’ because they will be sorely disappointed.
Bands naturally tend to evolve, but Weezer has taken their sound in directions that could not have been predicted by their earliest fans. They have been moving more and more towards a pop sound with every release, which is not surprising, given the band’s success. ‘Raditude’ has some of the strongest pop tendencies yet, and most of the songs seem to inspired by the most mainstream, Top 40 radio songs.
Perhaps the best example of this is the fourth track, ‘Can’t Stop Partying,’ which features a cameo from Lil’ Wayne. For listeners endeared to lead singer Rivers Cuomo’s nerdy persona, this song is definitely a head-scratcher, as he proclaims his love for a hedonistic, club-hopping lifestyle in the lyrics.
Despite the album’s obvious shortcomings, a silver lining can be found. The first several tracks on the album are energetic and upbeat love songs that open the album well.
The first track, ‘(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To’ and the third track, ‘The Girl Got Hot,’ especially show Weezer’s ability to amplify their sound with multi-layered vocals and grinding electric guitars. The songs are confident and unsentimental.
These tracks have the most in common with the band’s previous release and attempt to create rocking, bold songs on ‘The Red Album,’ which showed the band trying to flex as many new musical muscles at once with songs such as ‘Troublemaker’ and ‘Pork And Beans.’ However, ‘The Red Album’ was also sullied by tracks such as the drippy ‘Heart Songs.’
The promise of the first three tracks on ‘Raditude’ is not lived up to by the rest of the album, creating more questions about where Weezer is going to go next. Will they continue their path towards pop stardom or will they attempt to return to their alienated fans of the ’90s?
Perhaps this album is most worthwhile if purchased on the band’s Web site with a special Weezer brand Snuggie, the infamous blanket with sleeves, emblazoned with the band’s name on the front that is sure to make anybody look like a member of a cult. The Snuggie will keep away the chills of fear as listeners contemplate the band’s future.
Reach reviewer Brigid Hoffman at Brigid.Hoffman@usd.edu.
