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Review: Jack Foley
WEEZER are one of the most popular groups to have emerged from
the post-grunge alternative rock aftermath and their success only
looks set to grow off the back of the new album, Make Believe.
Laden with sun-drenched melodies and catchy guitar riffs, the
album is rife with the easy-going attitude and laidback charisma
of LA's favourite sons.
Kicking off with the current single, Beverly Hills (which
includes that video shot at The Playboy Mansion), the album proceeds
to deliver 12 new tracks of the highest quality, as well as two
bonus live additions (in the form of Butterfly and
Island In The Sun).
Highlights include the tender anthem, Hold Me, and the
hook-laden Peace, both of which tap into the insecurities
felt by many in the world today, as well as by lead singer, Rivers
Cuomo.
With lyrics including 'all these problems on my mind, make it
hard for me to think, there is no way I can stop, my poor brain
is gonna pop' (taken from Peace), it's a timely reminder
of the changing times we're living in and the overriding desire
to find peace (both internally and in the wider perspective).
As serious as some of the sentiment undoubtedly is, however,
there is also a playful edge, born out of the Hash Pipe era for
the stoner/slacker listeners among you.
Beverly Hills is a classic feelgood anthem (and deservedly
among their biggest hits to date), while the riotous We Are
All On Drugs is an absolute blast and finds Weezer at their
breeziest (with lyrics including 'when you're out with your friends
in your new Mercedes Benz, and you're on drugs, and you show up
late for school 'cause you think you're really cool').
Strong, too, is the apologetic anthem, Pardon Me, which
features yet more introspection, as well as the celebration of
togetherness that is My Best Friend (you ought to be
rocking around the living room to this one).
Freak Me Out is a laidback gem packed with more memorable
lyrics, while Perfect Situation is a pop-friendly anthem
that provokes comparisons with the similarly sunny style of Fountains
of Wayne.
In truth, there isn't a bad track on the album which really ought
to provide the perfect soundtrack to the approaching summer.
Interestingly, Rivers is currently back at Harvard University,
studying English and American literature, and recorded Make
Believe during his college breaks.
He lists one of his present interests as 'trying to be a good
person' - a theme which is born out in many of the lyrics.
The search for goodness, it seems, has contributed to an album
of genuine greatness!
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