This is not a unique thought but Weezer's new album is a surprise and welcome return to form

In my last post, which is kinda long as I re-read it, but that is what talking about Oasis does to me, I mentioned that I had a story about Weezer's "Blue Album". I also mentioned the "like 3 songs, buy the album" rule that I believe my best friend Matt instituted to try to keep us all honest. The "Blue Album" was likely the first purchase I made that eschewed this rule. I have been a CD/music addict since September 1992 when Bon Jovi's "Keep The Faith" came out, but I used to be able to keep it somewhat in-check, by using the "3 song rule". The "Blue Album" threw that rule out the window and is likely the reason I have so many CDs. Back in the '90's, I was always trying to find the next Weezer; that band you took a chance on without hearing any of their songs and when you did, you found out that they were all great. But this proved to be exceedingly difficult.

Anyway...

I remember hanging out in my parent's backyard in the summer of 1994 and my friend Geoff mentioned that he saw a band called Weezer who had a cool song called The Sweater Song on Conan O'Brien the night previous. I nodded and stored the band name in the old noggin. Remember this was before the Internet so one couldn't YouTube this stuff to see if it was any good.

I used to lifeguard back in my high school years to make money and teach people how to swim. On break, I would often venture to the Burlington Mall and Sunrise Records. A few nights after Geoff told me about Weezer, I was in Sunrise and saw the "Blue Album" in the new release section. I believe it was $19.99 as this was what they used to charge for CDs. Seriously crazy, but we happily paid these prices. I picked it up off the rack, it had the Sweater Song on it (only it was called (Undone) The Sweater Song) so I decided, what the hell, Geoff liked good music so let's get it. I am 100% glad that this decision was made. Not only was The Sweater Song amazing, the whole thing rocked and contained many melodic surprises. All my friends became hooked on the album and it was the soundtrack to the rest of our summer, along with "Purple" by STP.

Naturally, Weezer, like Oasis, had CD singles, so I picked these up and again the b-sides were great (esp. Mykel & Carli). My friends and I saw Weezer at the Opera House in Toronto in December 1994 and we even met them after the show. Fantastic. "Pinkerton" came out a few years later and although it lacked the polish of the "Blue Album", I was in 2nd year university and the angst in the lyrics due to Rivers' inability to find love spoke to me. Then Weezer disappeared. They re-emerged I think 5 years later with the "Green Album". This was an enjoyable record. "Maladroit" was also enjoyable though more raw. "Make Believe" and subsequent albums completely lost me. I even stopped courtesy buying Weezer albums after the "Red Album". I don't think I've even listened to all of "Raditude". So when I read that they were coming out with a new record this October after a 4 year break, I was fully skeptical. 

But then grooveshark had the new album "Everything Will Be Alright In The End" streaming a week before it came out so I gave it a listen at work one day. It didn't immediately grab me but there was enough there to warrant another listen. I cued it up the next day and heard the same type of melodic surprises and witty lyrics that got me hooked the first time I heard this band. So I listened to it again, and again and again. I read an unauthorized biography on Rivers in the mid-2000's and feel he's a weird dude but music is subjective forsure so I'm sure he felt (or maybe didn't feel) that he was making great tunes from 2005 to 2010. Anyway something got to him because, say it ain't so, he and the band have recaptured their 1994-1996 mojo here in a big time way. Songs like The British Are Coming, Go Away (classic boy/girl vocals from Rivers and Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast) and Foolish Father are welcome additions to the Weezer canon. But the real gem for me is Da Vinci. Great lyrics about finding that perfect love that border on cheesy but never fully get there because of the sincerity in Rivers' voice. And the melody is just classic Weezer.

I bought "EWBAITE" at a Walmart in Orillia, Ontario driving home from my parent's cottage as I needed to listen to it repeatedly on the 90 minute drive back to my house. My 3 year old son really enjoyed it. I also played it for my friend Jamie (not really a Weezer fan) as we were car pooling to work and he thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Just last night, my 7 year old daughter wanted to hear the songs I've Had It Up To Here and Cleopatra on repeat. So it's a winner across many demographic groups.

My post title says it all, I'm not the first person on the Internet to have these thoughts about this record, which I'm happy about. There are definitely a lot of jaded people on the Internet, especially when it comes to music. While I find the way I consume and listen to music these days is moving at a much quicker pace than certainly 20, but even 5 years ago, it's nice to have a band you used to enjoy sneak up on you when you weren't expecting it all (see also Counting Crows' excellent new album "Somewhere Under Wonderland"). So now it seems that I'm still looking for the next Weezer, even if that now means being surprised by a band I once admired returning to form.