Music Review"Weezer (The Green Album)"
Weezer
Geffen Records
Entertainment value: B+
We high schoolers were just rambunctious elementary school kids when the power-pop band Weezer released their debut album back in 1994, featuring three great hits: "Undone - The Sweater Song", "Buddy Holly", and "Say It Aint So". After their critically acclaimed yet commercially unsuccessful 1996 disc "Pinkerton", it seemed that Weezer had fallen from the public's minds.
It was a different case for their devoted and diverse fans, who stayed true to their idols. Now, five years, two albums, and a new bassist later (Matt Sharp quit the band in 1998),the foursome (guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Rivers Cuomo, guitarist Brian Bell, new bassist Mikey Welsh, and drummer Pat Wilson) are back with their third album. The new 28 minute disc - that's right, 28 minutes - is highly reminiscent of their first release: both album covers feature a plain photograph of the band against a solid background color, both contain only 10 tracks, and both are self-titled (fans refer to the recent disc as the Green Album and the first release as the Blue Album, to avoid confusion).
Produced by Ric Ocasek (who also produced the Blue Album), the Green Album's overall instrumental aspect is well composed by Cuomo and well performed by the whole band. Unsurprisingly to any Weezer fan, the music is incredibly infectious. Once a song of theirs enters your brain, it'll never come out - unless, of course, another Weezer song gets to you.
"Weezer", though, does have its flaws. It isn't as autobiographical as their past two albums were. The Green Album's lyrics are vague and unspecific ("I'm lost without your love"). And although the songs are catchy, most of them sound similar to each other. Weezer's latest single, "Island in the Sun", is among the few standout gems on the album.
Aside from the slight flaws of "Weezer", the band has recorded an overall terrific album with which to make a comeback. I just hope their next album contains better lyrical quality. Oh, yeah, and I hope it's longer than 28 minutes.
