Customer Reviews

Raditude

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

The single "Pork and Beans" from their previous album, Red, was written as a response to a meeting Rivers Cuomo had with the record company, in which pressure was applied on making a more commercial sound. He responds to these requests (such as working with trendy musicians to top the charts) by saying, "Imma do the things that I wanna do / I ain't got a thing to prove to you"

Unfortunately, it appears this resistance has worn away. Only three of the ten tracks were written soley by the band. The rest were co-written by folks such as Jermaine Dupre, Dr. Luke, Butch Walker, and the All American Rejects. Depending upon whether or not one considers drummer Josh Freese part of the band, six of the ten tracks feature outside musicians.

Lead single and first track "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" is quintessential Weezer - an upbeat, accoustic guitar driven rock song with quirky lyrics. After that, though, the album in my opinion starts a free fall, with quite a few generic, seemingly soulless over-produced pop songs. Two late-album tracks try to maintain some artistic integrity with the far east influenced Love Is The Answer and Beach Boys inspired Don't Want To Let You Go.

Having heard many shelved Cuomo demos over the years, it's always unfortunate to hear releases that feature bland songs. There are probably three albums worth of demos that are, in my opinion, vastly superior to a majority of the material released on the last two Weezer releases.

Instead, over-produced generic pop songs seem to be the norm.

First, if you don't think Weezer is being tongue-in-cheek in naming an album "Raditude," you'll probably be in for a disappointment, as anyone who approaches this album with a straight face, so to speak, won't "get it" at all. Anybody who didn't get that the "boo-yah" in the song Everybody Get Dangerous (off the Red Album) was SUPPOSED to sound really feeble and cheesy because the characters in the song were just that (feeble and cheesy), won't get the songs on Raditude. Hey, song titles like "I'm Your Daddy" and "Girl Got Hot" are exactly what they suggest. Cheesy. Did I mention they're also extremely catchy?

Raditude sounds like an album based around Weezer's earlier hit song Beverly Hills, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, because A) that song is really catchy, and B) we finally get album continuity. That song had no business being on Make Believe, and, though full of good songs, The Red Album doesn't really feel like an ALBUM. Raditude feels like a complete album though--almost a modern update of the Green Album. Just like the Green Album, Raditude starts off with the best song on the album, 'I Want You To.' I can already tell this song will be in my rotation for a long time. The whole first half of the album is some of the most listen-able, catchiest music Weezer has ever written.

Unfortunately, the album stumbles a bit in the latter half. "Love Is The Answer" doesn't really do it for me, and, even though it's not a serious song, I really don't care for "In the Mall" either. Small stumbles aside, Raditude is an album worthy of being added to your Weezer collection. Die hard fans who think that pre-Green Album Weezer is the only true Weezer and everything else is trash will NOT like this album. It's very possible to like both though. Hey, Pinkterton is still my favorite Weezer album, and one of my favorites of all time. It's a masterpiece. But to expect Rivers Cuomo to duplicate an album as personal and raw as that one isn't just completely ludicrous, it's selfish as well. The guy is approaching middle age now, do you expect him to still write the same songs he did 13 years ago? The Pinkerton Era of songs is gone and won't ever come back, and the sooner that Weezer fans accept that the better off we'll be.

Plus, it's not like Raditude is devoid of any heart. Just look at the standout opener. The song starts off optimistic enough, with the prospect of a budding relationship, but then toward the end we get the lines "So much pain may come our way / There may come a day when we have nothing left to say / When the conversation stops and we're facing our defeat / I'll be next to you and you'll be right there next to me." And a song like "Tripping Down The Freeway" may look like more juvenile pop at first glance, but it's yet another song about growing up with someone else as you're in a relationship. Raditude is an album written by a middle-aged man, but with the attitude of someone much younger who's just growing into adulthood. The result is a very pleasing record full of catchy, yet still heartfelt songs. It's a fun record. It was written that way. So leave any hang-ups you have at the door. Pop Raditude into your CD player, and just enjoy yourself.

If Weezer have spent the past decade working their hardest to pump out as many albums and hits as possible, than "Raditude," the band's seventh studio offering, is the after-party. True to typical Weezer fashion, it's a polarizing album that will no doubt leave the band's fanbase scratching their heads while simultaneously spawning several radio hits.

While the quality and consistency of the album may not have you jumping for joy like the dog that graces the album cover, there is certainly something here for everyone. Longtime fans will appreciate the somewhat true-to-form "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" and "Put Me Back Together." The latter, co-written by Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler of pop-punk outfit The All-American Rejects is the same kind of heart-on-the-sleeve rocker that made the band such a cult success way back when.

Elsewhere, though, the band takes twists and turns never heard before. Collaborating with Lil' Wayne for "Can't Stop Partying" is an idea that sounds terrible on paper but surprisingly makes for one of the most inspired moments on the album. While on the surface it comes off as a synth-laden party anthem, what is revealed upon closer inspection is a hint of irony that makes the song seem, well, sad.

Likewise, the sleaze-rock of "The Girl Got Hot" and the good-time feel of "I'm Your Daddy" seem superficial on the surface until Rivers reveals himself to be slyly mocking and somewhat paying tribute to sounds and styles not normally embraced. Afterall, this is the man who once confessed his love of nu-metallers Drowning Pool and Limp Bizkit and who wrote a song for Crazy Town. To say his tongue is planted firmly in cheek throughout most of these songs is an understatement, but at the same time, it's done in an affectionate way.

Conversely, the album reaches for epic proportions on "Love is the Answer," a feel-good ballad drenched in sitar and the back-up vocals of Indian singer Amrita Sen. For the most part it works, even if it comes across as a bit obvious and heavy-handed. And what Weezer album would be complete without a heartfelt closer? "I Don't Want To Let You Go" is just that and leaves things on a high note.

For the most part, "Raditude" is a solid effort. The production by Jacknife Lee and Butch Walker allows the band ample room to expand on a wealth of sounds while Cuomo seems up to the task of challenging himself. There are a few duds amidst the genius, but such has been par for the course for the band since the turn of the century. The fact of the matter is that the men that make up Weezer are full-grown adults having fun with their music, and with an open mind, you'll appreciate it.

First off I really liked the sound. Its good pop/rock music. The problem is that I'm 30 now and driving around in my car singing about high school will only cause problems. At some point between the marriage, mortgage or kid you have to let that stuff go. Yeah, someone will call me insecure or something to that affect but if you are married, have a mortgage and have a kid put these lyrics in front of your spouse and see how he/she looks at you. Probably the same way my mom looked at me the first time I was caught singing Weezer in junior high.

Well so much for the glimmer of hope that might've been found in the Red Album.....

I didn't think Weezer could really sink lower than Make Believe. Oh how did Beverly Hills make me cringe more then I'd ever cringed before. It was so bad...at that time.At least that song doesn't cater to current dance music. They made sure to take care of that in this album, and boy did they. If Beverly Hills made you wince, well all the wincing and cringing muscles in your body will be weaker than ever after hearing the wonder that is Raditude. (and if you don't think that the term "wonder" can be used in a negative connotation, think again)

As far as lyrics go, if you want epic fables of partying with the homies, trippin while driving, and going to the mall, well you've found your Lady Gaga companion piece right here! And to anyone saying "oh well this is supposed to be a parody and tongue-in-cheek to pop music". Well if this is true then I'd much rather Weezer get their tongues our of their cheeks and start creating instead of parodying.

There's a time and place for everything, there's a style for everyone, and there are times to broaden your horizons. There's also some things that shouldn't have a time or place and some directions you could go musically that are not your style and are places your horizons shouldn't be broadened to. I think Raditude certainly fits into the mold here. I don't know about you, but I think Weezer should've taken Slipknot's album name of "All Hope is Gone".

Weezer is back with a solid album. They are pushing forward with their style instead of staying in the past. The red album felt more of a experiment to find where they fit, with Raditude, I believe they have found where they want to be.

I'm tired of all the reviews on how the old Weezer (Blue album and Pinkerton) were better. A lot of these reviewers are kids that grew up in the 90s with Weezer's music who all seem to believe that they should just go back to their old style. I call this the nostalgia factor. Listening to the blue album and Pinkerton isn't just a great music experience, it also brings back memories of your childhood and what you felt at that time. Everyone gets older and it's always a great feeling to go back and re-experience something from your youth but most bands don't want to play the same songs over and over.

The only issue I have with this album is that you must get the deluxe edition. The standard edition feels incomplete with only 10 tracks, the extra songs in the deluxe edition really fit with the album.

The songs I would recommend from this album:

"(If You're Wonder If I Want You To) I Want You To"
"Can't Stop Partying"
"Tripping Down the Freeway"
"Let it All Hang Out" (closes thing to weezer's older style)
"I Don't Want to Let You Go"
"The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World"
"Turn Me Round"
"Kid/Poker Face" (GREAT cover)
"I Woke Up in Love This Morning" (Another awesome cover, only with the Japanese edition)

Before everyone gets on my being critical of this album, I would like to say that I really do think Weezer is one of the best, if not the best bands still making music today. Perhaps that is why I am so critical of Weezer's latest endeavor.

I get it folks ... I get the "tongue-in-cheek" artistic "je ne sais quoi" take on relationships, on "partying", on a throwback to their earlier, adolescent "In the Mall" days, however, I simply cannot get my mind wrapped around being content with the lack of quality on this album. I've been a fan since the Blue Album came out and helped me rock through my freshman year of college. I love this band, I mean there was even a time I thought it might be worth it to name my firstborn son "Rivers". The lyrics, the music, the whole Weezer attitude toward life was something that made me get up and go. Having a bad day? Throw on "Pinkerton" and some "El Scorcho".

And then I noticed something... as I get older, Weezer seems less appealing when they continually refer to their sophomoric hijinks. Cuomo is older than me for goodness sake - and yet continues to write songs with lyrics about picking up girls in bars, partying, etc. When I was in college, "Surf Wax USA" was something of a mantra, now I cannot fathom "Can't Stop Partying" as a way of life. Yes, it has a GREAT beat, but it's not really Weezer-centric. The ONLY song that really gets me feeling as though Weezer's genius is still intact is the first song.

And for those who tend to see this as "tongue-in-cheek" parody, well great, I can concede that point, but when I need music to get through my day, I don't spend money to pay for people's musical experimentation. Crap is still crap. Put funny bows and ribbons on it, and the aftertaste is still as rotten.

Perhaps that's the core of what I'm getting at. There's a cheapness, a lack of the genius that Weezer is more known for. I am disappointed, and yes, maybe feel a little betrayed that Weezer is so much more interested in how much fun they can have at the expense of those of us who purchase their music. So go on and be artistic and try new things, guys: you've just lost a totally loyal fan. I won't be buying any more albums without listening to each at every song BEFORE buying. If I can write better lyrics than Cuomo, I surely don't need to buy his music.

Will someone please remind Rivers Cuomo that he is a 39 year old white rocker and not a 20-something hip-hop star! Seriously Weezer, you're breaking my heart here.

This album and it's faux-pop makes me long for the days of "Make Believe", at least those lyrics were honest (if a little whiny). Radidtude's not all bad, just mostly bad, and if I hadn't bought the deluxe edition I would really be angry.

"If You're Wondering..." is catchy, "I'm Your Daddy" scoots by on it's beat, but aside from Pat saving the day again with "In The Mall" and the trippy experimentation of "Love Is The Answer", the rest of the main album is just pop-filler nonsense that the Jonas Brother couldn't even be bothered with.

The extra disc is what the album should have sounded like if they wanted to do pop-rock right. "Get Me Some" shreds, "Run Over By A Truck" has the bass beats, "The Prettiest Girl..." is classic Weezer and "The Underdogs" is just solid.

My plea is that Rivers gets some heartache or at least some heartburn soon, so that he has something to sing about besides partying, cars and jewels.

Happy Weezer, is crappy Weezer. Kiss my angst!

Thank you Weezer for another awesome album! I feel that many Weezer fans got stuck with the blue album and pinkerton but they need to be open to changes in styles because they go through many influences throughout the years and they change, not necessary for better or worse but I definitely love their new album as much as the previous ones. Songs are very catchy and fun.

No, it's not the Blue Album; no, it's not Pinkerton. Those albums are one-of-a-kind and Weezer will most likely not return to those sounds. Weezer has built a discography on sonic variation, with subtle alterations from album to album, and this album is no different. Is it catchy modern pop? Yes, but it's -good- catchy modern pop with the quirks Rivers brings to most of his records. Definitely beats the pants off the Red Album. I picked this up with one of Amazon's $5 MP3 credits, but after rotating through the tracks I would have paid for it anyway. It's solid modern pop-rock with a distinct Cuomo Rivers flavor to it. Recommend.