The Dreaded Hurley

Weezer is my favorite band. Whenever I say that, I have to postscript it by clarifying that I mean their first two albums. I've mentioned that I found Green and Maladroit moderately enjoyable, but have found just about everything else unremarkable and, sometimes, even abysmal (Beverly Hills...). This is why when I heard about their release of an eighth record--and so quickly on the heels of the embarrassment of Raditude--I was skeptical.

Then, something strange happened. They prereleased the first track, "Memories." Out of curiosity, I decided to check it out, expecting something equally as inane as "I'm Your Daddy" or "Can't Stop Partying." But I loved it. It was well crafted and evocative and tasteful, and it made me feel like I was in high school again. So of course, when the record was released, I gave the entire thing a listen, and I was not disappointed.

After "Memories," "Ruling Me" is a superfun powerpop song similar in spirit to the better tracks on Green--only better than anything on Green--complete with the background Oohs and Aahs that made us love Weezer in the first place, and classic Riversisms, like "My ocular nerves went pop-zoom." The album continues with the beautiful ode to slackerism "Trainwrecks," which sounds like a lost single from the early era with synth runs and ambient feedback squeals thrown in for good measure, which get me every time.

As the record progresses, the songs sound less like throwbacks and more like a new, more acceptable Weezer--especially the track "Smart Girls," an ode to Rivers' favorite quality in a woman that's starts off with a cheesy drum machine and synth solo. It's also one of my favorite tracks on the record.

It's important to note that this record doesn't sound like the missing album between Pinkerton and Green. Weezer has, somehow, matured through the string of less-than-good records and come up with a way to mix the qualities that made them so likable in the first place with new ambitions and production strategies--an orchestra finds its way in at several points, and the traditional guitar solo for every song is largely missing, which some may find disappointing.

Personally, I never thought Weezer would release and album I would love again, and I was mistaken. It's not Pinkerton, but it's more than good enough for me.