Weezer “Raditude” Review
OK, old school Weezer fans, it’s time to face the music: the days of the Blue Album are over. Let’s just get it out of our systems now, and then we’ll all feel better. If there’s one message that Raditude sends, it’s that Weezer are not the same angsty nerd-rockers that you coveted in high school. Especially not with guest appearances like Lil’ Wayne over MGMT sounding dance-rock songs like “Can’t Stop Partying.” The lines “Monday to Sunday I hit all the clubs/And now everybody knows me when I pull up†kind of clear up all the confusion.
Or do they? Those who’ve heard the first single off the album, “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” may feel otherwise. Though “I Want You To” may have a bouncy polished coating to it, the feel is much closer to Maladroit and songs like “American Gigolo.” “In the Mall,” written by drummer Pat Wilson, is a much heavier track with a familiar crunchy guitar distortion and hard rock feel. Half the songs on the album retain this tone and ride on certain elements of metal, punk, and hard-rock. The other half of the album, driven by songs like “I’m Your Daddy,” “Love Is All It Takes,” and “I Don’t Want You To Go,” have a distinct pop music aura.
Those who buy the deluxe version of Raditude, containing a second disc with four songs, “Get Me Some,” “Run Over By a Truck,” “The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World,” and “The Underdogs” will not go music-hungry. “Run Over By a Truck,” alone makes the extra purchase worth it. The track opens up with an old-timey player piano feel, but is followed by distortion which kicks in like a punch line during the chorus. “Run Over By A Truck,” and the rest of the tracks on the album serve as a small reminder that Rivers Cuomo allegedly has hours and hours of unreleased material still locked behind vaults that fans may never see. These four songs, each one distinct, seem to suggest that Weezer had tons of material available to choose from, and that the making of Raditude was a matter of picking and choosing which songs to reveal to the public.
Though Raditude conveys an eclectic message, as foreshadowed by its loquaciously hybrid title, Weezer makes one thing clear: you don’t know us, or maybe, you don’t know Rivers, who is generally accepted as the band’s primary songwriter. Weezer dons a slight… “Dylantude” in this respect—constantly switching up their style, giving the impression that they don’t care what people think of them. If so, then the only ones left in the dust, just like Dylan’s long lost folk fans, will be those that refuse to think of Weezer as anything other than Pinkerton and the Blue Album.
So, here are the facts: band’s aren’t machines. They change, have emotions, get confused, angry, sad, happy. Weezer may have shoegazy elements, and certain stylistic roots, but they’re just a rock band, and its members are just rock stars. Cuomo and the gang may put out some poppy songs, and they may put out some epic masterpieces. However, ultimately Weezer are just putting out whatever they feel like at the time, going with the flow, and livin’ large—and that’s Raditude. Fans with an open mind, including those who enjoyed Make Believe and Pork and Beans will love Raditude. Others may remain skeptical.
[review by guest contributor Dan Bindschedler]
As a recovering Weezer fan, this album sounds completely awful.
I actually didn’t mind it. It’s not something I’m not likely to ever turn on again & I can’t really say I’ve listened to a few of the band’s previous CDs… but yeah, didn’t suck as much as I thought it would.
That’s a compliment, right?
Good perspective. I think Ratitude is great CD and I agree “Run Over by A Truck” is a great song – in fact it’s my favorite. I saw them and wrote about their Halloween Hammerstein Ballroom performance. It’s unfortunate “Run Over By A Truck” wasn’t included on the set list.
Frank Grimaldi
concert-log.blogspot.com
i actually enjoy all of it minus 2-3 songs more than I ever expected to.
sure Weezer post ’00 is still a total WTF, but i can’t help but enjoy the hell out of a few of these songs (Put Me Back Together especially)
I have been a huge Weezer fan since The Blue Album, and I agree that there new stuff doesnt sound the same, but I still love it. Its fun, well played, and has those amazing lyrics that get stuck in your head all day. Weezer’s music has changes alot, but so does everything over a 20 year period. I think people need to stop complaining that Blue and Pinkerton are’nt comming back and either learn to love their new stuff or just go listen to your old CDs.
I honestly think this is the best review out.
There’s so much weezer bashing going on around the internet, i just can’t believe it. If all people ever heard was pinkerton over and over it would eventually wear out. Bands change. Music changes.
I’ve listened to all released weezer songs, own all their albums and honestly love every single one. Sure i dislike a few of the tracks on Red, and maybe one or two here and there, but i don’t really see the problem with the music they create.
Rivers is an amazing musician, who writes music how he wants, and if all these tough “internet critics” stopped being so stubborn about how weezer is changing, they might be able to understand what a great album this is.
Great tracks to look out for:
Put Me Back Together
The Underdogs
The Girl Got Hot
If You’re Wondering..
The album is catchy, quirky and fun.
Y’all better buy it.
Henry L! thanks for the luv, man.
yea, I definitely think that a lot of critics and scorned fans are thirsty for some Weezer flavored Hatorade. I don’t see what the big deal is, though. It seems like all people can ever do is be negative and insult someone.
But, i also think that Rivers is actually just nuts (in a hilarious and lovable way). I mean, check out the aol sessions video of them playing “I’m Your Daddy,” with Kenny G soloing….
http://stereogum.com/archives/video/this_weezer_kenny_g_video_is_your_daddy_098891.html
Clearly Rivers is a great musician. The question is whether he just wants to stir shit up, or stay in the lime light.
Had a spare $10, and bought the CD at Target. Extremely fun to listen to. Not a big Weezer fan, but there are some catchy tunes here.