In stores today: Weezer's "Red Album"
Weezer
Album: Weezer (Geffen)
In stores: Now
Why we care: Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is still flat-out bonkers, but I'm starting to detect a method to his madness. This is the power-pop crew’s third self-titled album (sixth disc overall), but you can just call it "the Red One." Much like "the Blue One" (with Buddy Holly) and “the Green One” (with Hash Pipe), Cuomo puts his slicker, catchier cuts on his color-coded work. In other words, this is definitely not Pinkerton II.
Why we like it: Cuomo now sports an unsightly ’stache from the Ron Jeremy collection, and he's still maniacally searching for the perfect pop "formula." But man, can Weird Boy write surly, power-chording confections about loving the loser within. There's also a Queen-ly rock epic containing the hooky scraps in Cuomo's addled brain.
Reminds us of: The strangely tender Heart Songs name-checks Cuomo’s fave acts: Quiet Riot, Debbie Gibson... Yep, things are starting to make sense.
Download this: Troublemaker (LISTEN) and Everybody Get Dangerous (LISTEN)
Grade: B+
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
But, did Cuomo have a mustache in college?
Posted by: Denvermatt | June 03, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Nice reference, Denver Matt. I love it when worlds collide.
Posted by: Sean Daly | June 03, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Sean, I so bought the "Foxboro Hot Tubs" and I'm diggin' it to the max. Imma do the things that I wanna do...like buy this CD.
Posted by: Marissa | June 03, 2008 at 06:44 PM
for the folks that have to buy their music. Amazon has this as download for $5.99 for the whole album.
Posted by: denvermatt | June 04, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Denvermatt, I love Amazon.com for that very reason.
Posted by: Marissa | June 04, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I love the look Rivers has cultivted here - the 70's porn 'stache, the big Toby Keith hat. (The difference being that Cuomo has a functioning brain under his head-gear). I've always liked Weezer. I'm sure I'll pick this up.
Posted by: NickWithAnAxe | June 04, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Amazon.com is offering the digital album "Pinkerton" ~ Weezers 1996 release for 1.99.
Posted by: Marissa | June 04, 2008 at 09:10 AM