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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you like Weezer, you'll LOVE most of this, 13 Jul 2008
Or the "Red Album" if you're losing track as this is the third self-titled Weezer album out of six. It's also the first since the debut (the Blue Album for those keeping track) to see Rivers Cuomo slightly loosen his autocratic leading of the band to let his bandmates show us their own songwriting chops.
Things didn't seem all that promising at first; not only were there rumours that this album was to see a highly experimental Weezer but record label Geffen were apparently of the opinion that the album didn't have any hits on it. The result was Pork and Beans, the album's lead single and one written entirely as a sly knock to the label's opinions. "Timbaland knows the way to reach the top of the charts" sneers Cuomo, "maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art". Ironically, of course, it turned out to be Weezer's biggest American hit in years.
Long-term Weezer fans are certainly catered for here; alongside Pork and Beans the likes of Troublemaker are the catchy pop nuggets you've come to love.
That said, there are definite departures from what you might expect. Heartsongs, which sees Cuomo list the songs and artists that have shaped his musical identity may eventually "rock out" but it's lilting and saccharine sounds take some getting used to. Nothing I write could amply explain The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On A Shaker Hymn) to you but if you imagine six minutes of sonic eccentricity that takes in such different musical styles as metal, hip-hop, male voice choir, folk and glam rock then you get some idea of the huge scale we're talking about. More amazingly, it's a catchy track too.
Of the band members contributions, I Thought I Knew is passable, but nowhere near becoming a Weezer classic, Cold Dark World is plodding and only drummer Patrick Wilson's Automatic comes close to matching the best of what Cuomo can deliver.
Naturally, the "Red Album" is no Pinkerton (still Weezer's finest collective moment for me) but, to put it into perspective, it's nowhere near the disappointment that was Maladroit. It might not convert to many new listeners to Weezer, but those of us that have been with them for over a decade will find much to enjoy on this fine collection
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buy the Deluxe Edition !!!!, 20 Jun 2008
Attention all weezer fans
dont even contemplate spending £9 on this when the deluxe version is only £13
the extra tracks are worth £13 on their own!!!!
GO BUY THE DELUXE VERSION
Apart than that its another classic Weezer Albulm
highlights being ..... well all of them really but especially the bonus tracks
PIG,THE SPIDER & KING
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A treat: weezer has grown musically - and become even better, 4 Jul 2008
'The Red Album' is weezer's masterpiece so far. Don't let it fool you that the opener 'Troublemaker' is an archetype of the dynamic and melodic power rock known so well from earlier releases, 'cause what follows adds new and surprising dimensions to weezer's style. The second track 'The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On A Shaker Hymn)' plays with the surprised but spoiled listener in its style variations based on the same rough yet harmonious theme and is, in my opinion, not only weezer's best composition ever, but no less than one of the most surprising, catchiest and simply... best rock songs released in years!
Yes, you read right: weezer goes from straight-forward melodic rock craftmanship to boasting out their musical talents in touching semi-epic progressive rock. From the 3-minute outbursts, they even dabble with songs twice as long. The other - brillliant - example is 'The Angel And The One'.
Before these highlights on an overall treat, it is almost relieving to give your concentration a break with the average 'Thought I Knew' and 'Cold Dark World', which surprisingly have found their way to the standard version, contrary to the sweet, almost symphonic 'Pig', the country rock style 'The Weight' or a more than decent cover of Talk Talk's 'Life's What You Make It', featured on the UK Edition. If you can get your hands on this release, or even better the Deluxe Edition, it is worth the search and the investment, as all of its tracks are wonderful and each has its own unique soul.
But even if not, weezer's Red Album is a gift to the rock public, proving courage and an unexpected maturity from a band that has so far not disappointed.
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