Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 1.5 / 5 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
Raditude is Weezer’s third consecutive album of confounding power-pop. Most of the 10 songs here would fit comfortably alongside Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry on top 40 radio – and that seems to be exactly what Rivers Cuomo is aiming for. He had a shout out for Timbaland on his last album, this time around he mentions Jay-Z. At this point in their career, it seems impossible to figure out who Weezer’s peers are, but at least they’re as lost as we are.
The most disconcerting part of Raditude is the realization that Weezer’s formula hasn’t actually changed that much. They’ve always been built around pop hooks and crunchy guitars, but it was Cuomo’s heart-wrenching sincerity and subtle wit that elevated the band. Now it’s as if he’s aiming for vapidity.
Former Sleater-Kinney singer/guitarist Carrie Brownstein had this now famous reaction to hearing Weezer’s new songs for the first time: “I don’t know if Weezer hates its fans or just the (apparently) stifling concept of sincerity, but you should listen to these two new songs if you weren’t already convinced of Weezer’s contempt for music.” I can’t improve on that.
Lifelong Weezer fans are still waiting for Cuomo to wink and say, “just kidding.” Doesn’t look like that’s happening anytime soon.
