Weezer : Maladroit

There's something fundamentally likeable about Weezer. No matter what they release, even if it's pap, there's always something redeeming about it. Not that they've released anything one could describe as "pap", but last album "The Green Album" was certainly a disappointment by their high standards. While it had its moments, such as the brilliant single "Hash Pipe", the album as a whole was just a bit too formulaic. Weezer must know they could have done better.

So, Maladroit, their fourth LP gives them a chance to make up for the "weak" third album. And they seem to have learnt from their mistakes too.

The swirling guitar/vocal harmonies which were present on TGA are still here, most notably in first single "Dope Nose", a great tuneful pop singalong. Opening track "American Gigaglo" chugs along with some very strange but aurally pleasing harmonies above it and sets the stage. "Keep Fishin'" bounces along and has that distinctive Weezer singalong chorus. This is one of the many songs on the album that contains no end of "doo wops" "eepoohs" and "shoowopshabangs".

The wonderful guitar harmonies return on "Take Control" as we see that chugging bassline return with a beautiful guitar line gliding through the verses before hitting another big singalong chorus.

"Slob" is a more melancholy number, still retaining the excellent harmonics and powerful vocals. The minor chords here put me in mind of a more emo Muse in places. Ching-ching guitars and delicate floaty vocals invade your ears in "Burndt Jamb", and you can't help but smile. The world is a better place with Weezer in it.

The album peters out a bit at the end, with end track "December" letting the side down. Having had a good record with final tracks in the past (the orgasmic climax of "Only in dreams", the fragile "Butterfly" and the beautiful "I Do", this comes as a bit of a disappointment, but when you it comes at the end of what is a great album, you can't really complain too much.

Rumour has it that there's going to be another album out within the next year or so. Don't let that put you off, Maladroit is a great album and the original Emo Masters show that they still rule the roost in whatever genre they fit into. I only got into Weezer recently - make sure you don't make the same mistake and get Maladroit when it comes out. The first 3 albums probably won't be far away either....



-- Pogo McGurk

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