When it comes to releasing albums, there aren’t many bands that reach double figures, but that’s exactly what Weezer have achieved with their latest self-titled opus (also known as The White Album).
Formed in 1992, they released their critically acclaimed debut album back in 1994, known as The Blue Album, which went on to become triple platinum certified. Despite a hiatus in 1997 for a few years, the band have been a stalwart of feel-good accessible American rock for over 20 years. As with most long-term bands, there have been a few line-up changes over the years (the current one remaining stable since 2002), but their irrepressible college rock music has remained consistent. Being only ten songs long, The White Album is a pretty short affair, with only one song over the four-minute mark. That’s okay though, as quality over quantity is always the best way to go in my book. Besides which, Weezer are a straight ahead pop-rock band, so no one should be expecting a tour de force of epic proportions.
Opening track California Kids sets out straight away as an up-tempo number full of poppy backing vocal “woaaahs” and catchy guitar and synth hooks. Wind In Our Sail, as the name might suggest, continues the theme of happy-go-lucky positivity and cheeriness before things get toned down a little with Thank God for Girls. The first single released from the album, it’s a funky rock track with frantic, almost rap-like lyrics and a more brash tone than the beginning of the album. It’s back to plan A with (Girl We Got A) Good Thing, a swinging pop celebration punctuated with sleigh bells which soon gets the feet tapping and your face smiling. Second single Do You Wanna Get High? chugs along and reminisces back to singer Rivers Cuomo’s days of youthful recreational drug use.
King of the World follows next and is arguably the best track on the album, perfectly taking the best elements of the band and fusing them together in a very catchy sing-along that nerds far and wide can relate to. Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori is standard Weezer and is largely unremarkable but perfectly listenable at the same time. L.A. Girlz harks back to their debut and has a lot of similarities with the track Holiday. Jacked Up with its staccato piano and jagged drum track shrugs off the happy theme and is a lament over a lost love. Endless Bummer isn’t as melancholy as its title might suggest. Rather, it’s more an acceptance that all good things come to an end and that not everything good needs to last forever. Featuring acoustic guitar and various layered vocals for the first half of the song until the rest of the band kicks in, it’s a nice way to end the album.
It seems like there’s a lot of life left in Weezer judging by The White Album. There’s nothing ground-breaking here and nor is there nothing shocking or surprising. However, that’s generally not the aim of such bands, the goal is to feel good about making music and let what happens come naturally. The results speak for themselves and fans of the band will be more than happy with what’s been provided here. Those who aren’t as familiar with Weezer will find a thoroughly listenable ten tracks that try nothing else other than to get your foot tapping along with theirs. The concept of the album is one of summer, beaches, hanging out and having a good time, which is what it’s perfectly suited to, so don’t be surprised if you hear some of the tracks on a friends playlist for BBQs and road trips.
Author – Steve, Bristol store
