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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Condition Red, June 5, 2008
Following the path of their color coded classics The Blue Album and The Green Album, Weezer issues their "Red" album and it's their best since, well, the green one. Much like Peter Gabriel's refusal to give his early albums titles, it forces more attention to be paid to the music. Thus, eleven years into making music, this is Weezer facing middle age and they want you to focus.
They do so with both a wink ("Everybody Get Dangerous") and nostalgia (the terrific "Heart Songs"). There's even an attempt at an American Idiot style punk-opera with the oddball "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived." Using the traditional Shaker Hymn as its jumping off point, it's almost as odd as hearing the rest of Weezer sing. The 3/4's of Weezer that isn't Rivers Cuomo take up tracks 7, 8 and 9, with Brian Bell's "Thought I Knew" being the best of the batch. Maybe there was some idea behind democratizing the band. But let's face it, Rivers is the bent mind behind what makes Weezer the most thought provoking. It might not always be the most commercial move he could make and it makes executive bean counters nervous, but it is what makes Weezer, even on their aimless Make Believe album before this one, an exciting band.
So when Cuomo sarcastically lets the record company suits have it for claiming there was no single here, he writes about it in "Pork and Beans."
"Timbaland knows the way
To reach the top of the charts
Maybe if I work with him
I can perfect the art."
It's a soon-to-be classic. But for me, the clincher was "Heart Songs," where Cuomo follows his musical evolution from listening to corny AM radio hits from Michael Jackson to Eddie Rabbit, but hitting the turning point when he hears the album that had "a baby on it, he was naked on it." It's a flattering, sincere ode to the transcendent release of musical creativity (and also one of the most heartfelt songs the band has ever done). It makes Weezer's Red Album their most personal since the confessional Pinkerton, and a solid addition to their discography.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Life and Feelings of a Rock Star (Actually I am reviewing the deluxe version), June 3, 2008
[Review of the deluxe version but the songs I talk about are on the short version too] Wow, a new Weezer CD and I was able to get the deluxe long version four days early too. Never mind how that happened. Another self titled album, Weezer "Red". I had a feeling they would do that again someday, and put out another self titled album. A note, Peter Gabriel has three self titled albums all on different label but not solid colored. What I did not expect was this particular album. Finally a CD length CD from Weezer, at just under 60 minutes. But only as the deluxe version. Oh, well.
After having heard the new "single" from the album, "Pork and Beans" I figured that this album would be a lot like their previous one. Well, that could not have been more wrong. Some of it sounds typically Weezer, yet other aspects of it (most of the songs), have me feeling "Where did that come from." Well, the liner notes sort of answer that. From the mind and soul of Rivers. Yet this seems to be a part of him that we've never seen before. I can't say if I love it or hate it. The few faster, more Weezer like songs are great, but the others? It leaves me feeling similarly to how I felt after first hearing the Smashing Pumpkins Adore album, "what?" I gradually grew to really like that album but it is like in a different niche in my mind from their other work. I'll have to see how I feel about the slower half (slower two thirds of the deluxe version), and basically later part of the new Red Weezer CD after a few listenings.
This album could have been called "The Life and Feelings of a Rock Star." Most of the songs are probably not autobiographical but Rivers uses himself as a metaphor for how he feels about life in general. On the surface it may seem egotistical but it is deeper than that. A bit like the Kinks self-parody in many of their songs. This could be the 21st Century's "Lola Versus Powerman and the Money Go-Round Part 2". But unlike the Kinks, Weezer (Red) has no story line, but it still seems to have a concept to ¾ of it.
My thoughts on some of the songs. "Troublemaker": Typical Weezer music with a heavy edge. Lyrics are kind of punky yet self-parodying. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)": If you were expecting sacred music, guess again. The Shaker reference is only because parts of the melody and the piano running through much of the song sounds like a Shaker hymn. Interestingly, this "hymn" music has riffs that sound like typical Weezer, hmmm. This song is about being a rock star - but in the Kinks type of parody, not the dark Pink Floyd "The Wall" sort. This is a long piece in several "movements". Rivers seems to ape or reference many artists that were probably influential on him. After the intro, the first part starts with a rap like theme (not sure of any specific artist), then a portion that again I am not sure who it might be like. Then there is a short Beatles-like verse. Then there are several verses that sound like a combination of Queen, Mott the Hoople, Mark Bolan, and David Bowie (i.e., a glam-rock thing). Rivers does a nice job with the voices. Then there is a more Weezer-like chorus. Now comes a spoken work section that seems to reference the Kinks' "Perservation Act 1" and "Perservation Act 2" and a few other Kinks songs and albums from the early to mid nineteen seventies. After that, we get an almost hymn chorus with Beach Boys like harmony. Nice! The song ends with a fast Weezer-like rendition of the chorus. Strange but cool song.
"Pork and Beans": Looks like the big hit of the album. Sounds like Weezer. Simple but effective riff and some power chords. "Heart Songs": Is a pop song were Rivers directly names the artists that he has on his mind. Some of these may surprise you; Abba! "Everybody Get Dangerous": A heavy song that definitely reminds me of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This song is about many of the possible dumb, dangerous, risky, and extreme things young people often do and later wonder how they ever survived their youth. It ends with some Mick Jagger like hooting and hollerin'. Actually a good track like "Pork and Beans."
"Dreamin'": Sounds like Weezer. "Thought I Knew": Great catchy pop song. This one was written by Brian Bell and sung by (I think) Pat. Rivers Cuomo plays drums and Pat Wilson is playing guitar. This is a technique used by R.E.M. of old when Bill Berry was still in the band: They would switch instruments on some songs. It can produce some interesting and great results. "Cold Dark World": Sounds like it could be a theme song for an episode of the TV show "Criminal Minds." Rather creepy. Is that a Talk Box I hear? Do they still make those things? Are Weezer friends with Joe Walsh or Peter Frampton? Seems like Joe Walsh's style more.
I wont try to analyze what all these songs actually mean to the wider implications of this album and Weezer's career. Other people can describe the other 6 songs. Actually my biggest complaint with this CD is the tiny print for the liner notes to each song. I need a magnifier to read them. The lyrics themselves are large enough. Again these are only my opinions at this time, I might easily be persuaded to change by some insightful and mature discussion.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Six albums deep, and Weezer still keeps it resoundingly fresh, June 19, 2008
Weezer's 6th full-length album re-introduces them to the mainstream in a similar fashion to their other self-titled releases. 1994's "Blue Album" and 2001's "Green Album" were, and are excellent introductions to Weezer's discography, as is 2008's "Red Album". The "Red Album" actually exemplifies excellent progress in their career. What's really changed is Rivers Cuomo's disposition & approach in his writing and delivery. He's a little older & wiser, and he's sounding a little more comfortable than he was on 2005's "Make Believe". Weezer still favors roaring guitar hooks, and pop melodies, as well as first-rate tongue-in-cheek pop culture references. However, their formula has been expanded to include long sprawling compositions that border on progressive rock.
As he has done with 2005's "Make Believe", producer Rick Rubin gives this album a perfectly polished feel. The album spans 10 tracks in just over 40-minutes, leaving the record filler-free. They covered all their styles quite nicely. "Troublemaker" is an infection classic-Weezer hard-rocker, while "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On A Shaker Hymn)" & "Dreamin'" exemplify excellent growth & progressive elements full of infectious harmonies & melodies. I can't think of a better single than "Pork And Beans", which boasts an excellent music video (as per usual). "Heart Songs" is a pop-culture treasure. It falls into a slower pop vibe similar to the infectiousness of 2001's "Island In The Sun". Arguably my favorite song here. "The Angel And The One" is the album's near 7-minute closer, and spans a variety of time changes, riffs, and melodies.
Compared to other post-grunge/alternative pop/rock acts that have been active since the mid 90s, Weezer has kept their material seamlessly riveting by staying current & fresh to mainstream standards, while simultaneously proving that they are one of the industries most successful mainstays. Weezer fans unite; they did it again!
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