Fans eagerly awaiting the arrvail of Weezer's latest album need not wait any longer as earlier in the week, leaked songs for the forthcoming album, Weezer's 6th, were leaked online through websites like BitTorrent and even inflitrated Youtube with fan made uploads.
Though the official album isn't officially available until the 6th of June (moved up a week from its original date) and only eight of the ten songs were ultimately leaked, it should give fans and critics a good indication of what the band has been up to since its much debated last effort "Make Believe."
About two weeks ago, Weezer dropped their first single "Pork 'n Beans " which is currently burning up the rock radio charts. The single, inspired by blights with the record company is clearly the most radio friendly song on an album full of suprises and those good old fashioned Weezer moments.
The album begins with a misstep, in what is perhaps ultimately the album's worst song to date, "Troublemaker." Where Rivers Cuomo boasts that he's a "trouble maker not a double taker" and that he's "doing things his own way," prompting thoughts that maybe the promise of another color-coded album might not be enough to save the day.
Weezer fans rejoice however as the next song provides the album's clear standout track. The tune "The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived" is filled with the same un-weezerlike statements of pop bravado that filled the first song. Here we find Rivers boasting that he is indeed what is mentioned in the title. The song starts off at a similar pace to "Troublemaker" before spiraling into a Queen-like whirlwind of mini-song vinettes that include chanting and Rivers hitting the high notes. The last part provides some much needed relief to Weezer fans who have waited a long time since Rivers last delivered a line with the sheer force that he croons "ooooooh baby/ i think that I'm goin' crazy." A line that dares you to try and not sing it out loud.
Elsewhere on the album there is much to be excited about. The album marks the first time since before the Green Album (and this decade) that a Weezer album feels more like the work of a band than simply the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Rivers Cuomo. He even goes so far as to reliquish the vocal lead on "Thought I Knew" and elsewhere harmonies are abound as the other Weezer band members step up to the plate and give Rivers the "all" that he demands in "The Greatest Man who Ever Lived."
Elsewhere on the ablum, "Heart Songs" features lyrics about the songs and artists that influenced Rivers, which include the likes of Michael Jackson and Nirvana. "Everbody Get Dangerous" is another instance of single material and proves to be a better crafted pop song with each subsequent listen. However when on familiar turf, Weezer are never able to sound off. In "Cold Dark World" Rivers sings about his "angel girl" and the bleak world which they inhabit, a combination that makes for a winning track.
So where does the Red Album stand in the line of Weezer albums? It's too early to tell and already I've found myself in numerous debates with friends of varying opinions. But that's the good part. For the first time in a while Weezer has released an album with songs worth giving a damn about if your friend didn't like it. An album that will spark different opinions and different reactions. It features songs that indulge River's weird side, and make you realize that that was always Weezer's strength, keeping it weird.
However more importantly it features a slew of better than average and better with every listen pop songs. And if nothing else, the Red Album proves that even if Rivers isn't "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived," he's still a songwriter worth caring about, at the helm of one of rock's heavyweight bands.
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