If reviews were based solely on the album cover and title, then Weezer’s ‘Raditude’ would be five big shining stars universally. Unfortunately, Weezer have turned into a lame paint-by-numbers parody of themselves.
It must be said that Weezer are sounding a little more polished than the drunken ‘El Scorcho’ singalongs people have come to associate them with and quite frankly from the opening lines of ‘(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To’ sound like a bad 90s power-pop band - bands that Weezer’s success was attributed to by making them look even better by comparison.
‘Can’t Stop Partying’ is an electro-pop tune that has a sarcastic look on the high-flying lives of superstars. It’s this sense of humour that keeps Weezer above the rest, but the album is still struggling.
The first of three Jacknife Lee produced tracks ‘Trippin’ Down The Freeway’ isn’t that much of a stretch for the band, but ‘Love Is The Answer’ feels like the band had just returned from a spiritual journey to India and discovered the joys of the sitar and even comes complete with Bollywood-style vocal solo. The opening line “There will come a day/When we transcend our pain/Until that day, take it easy on yourself” is typical of the rest, and it doesn’t really give any hints as to whether or not Cuomo is being sarcastic.
I’m sorry Weezer, I used to love you, I really did, but despite your amazing cover and title, I just can’t get into this.
Track Listing
(If You’re Wondering If I Want You to) I Want You To
I’m Your Daddy
The Girl Got Hot
Can’t Stop Partying
Put Me Back Together
Trippin’ Down The Freeway
Love Is The Answer
Let Is All Hang Out
In The Mall
I Don’t Want To Let You Go
Turn Me Round (Bonus Track)
Join the author, Tim Cashmere on Twitter.
