Weezer might as well be a brand of cars. Although they've had had their ups and downs with recent models, they are bound to get it right sometimes, because it's a Weezer, and people like them.
Hurley, (clothing or
Lost inspired, I honestly don't care) is a fine automobile. It's fast, it's fun to drive, and it gives Weezer fans the kind of catchy, bubblegum rock that made the band famous. The songs aren't super deep, the subjects range from cafeteria hi-jinks to "where's my sex?" (or is it 'socks'?). Hell, the whole album starts out with a song about nostalgia and memories of a desirable time past, a pretty thinly veiled diatribe on the band's own thoughts on their heyday. These guys know they'll never make another
Pinkerton, but honestly, their time is far from over. The brand is strong.
Sure it's front-loaded, sappy, shallow as hell, and functions better as songs for beer pong than contemplation, but isn't that what pop rock should be? It's whatever, primed for bedroom consumption and a poor rating on Pitchfork. But anything that can create a moment like this gets an 'A' in my book.
Does it really matter if it's an elaborate cover-up for a thinly veiled sponsorship? At least everyone is getting paid.
Hurley: a fun record that doesn't try to be anything it isn't, and the best Weezer record in a long time. "We're still kicking a*s/we are train wrecks". The Weezer brand. Well said.
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MP3: "Memories"
Weezer on Myspace
