Album Review: Weezer – 'Van Weezer'

According to some Weezer diehards, their “suffering” over the years could almost rival that of the Handmaids of Gilead. They weren’t happy during the infamous post-Pinkerton hiatus of the late ‘90s when the band’s frontman
Rivers Cuomo went in a huff after the LP was unfairly savaged by critics.

Even less so when Weezer returned in 2000 and released a gaggle of godawful records that were as half-assed as a three-legged donkey leading to another hiatus. Throughout all of the multiple backlashes, however, many have remained with the alt. rockers, in the hope they’ll make a record that comes close to matching their self-titled ‘94 debut.

Unfortunately, for those same fans, 15th LP Van Weezer will be yet another disappointment. Inspired by hard rock and metal, the record plays like a kid with shaving foam plastered on his face, trying to emulate his da. Over 10 tracks, they reference Ozzy’s ‘Crazy Train’ (‘Blue Dream’) and ‘80s era Metallica (‘1 More Hit’), but they lack the authenticity of those particular trailblazers.

When Weezer stick to the original blueprint of power-pop hooks married with fuzzed-up riffs (‘Hero,’ ‘All Of The Good Ones’) they impress – but ultimately, there’s a real hint of cabaret.

Out now.