The one word that sums up Weezer’s new album “Raditude” is fun.
The album starts off strong with Weezer succeeding in a new sound in the first single “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To.” It includes a catchy melody and fast-paced acoustic guitars but still has a hint of Weezer’s sound.
“I’m Your Daddy” is the second track and showcases Rivers Cuomo’s witty lyrics at their best. Heavy, thick, distorted guitars and hand-clapping makes the song an instant Weezer classic.
“The Girl Got Hot” continues what seems to be an album with hit after hit. It’s another song that is hard to resist at least a toe-tap, if not getting up and dancing.
One could assume that the new Weezer album may be as good as their 1994 self-titled album and 1996’s “Pinkerton.” That is, until the fourth song where Weezer reaches their career-low with “Can’t Stop Partying,” a song featuring a verse performed by Lil’ Wayne.
As if it wasn’t enough to have one of the worst rappers in history on a Weezer song, Cuomo sings about drinking Patron in clubs and hanging out in the VIP room with bottles of Grey Goose. “I can’t stop, partying, partying / I gotta have the cars, I gotta have the jewels,” is a chorus that he just can’t pull off and be taken seriously.
After the terrible track, which will probably end up being a huge hit knowing the music industry today, the album teeters off just like Weezer’s last attempts.
It is by no means a terrible album and is worth checking out. But in order to hold on to any respect you have for Weezer do yourself a favor and skip their song with Lil’ Wayne.
johnray@dailynebraskan.com
Lyrics from the Weezer song Pork & Beans.
It's a good thing they went with Lil' Wayne instead of Timbaland, that might've been hypocritical.