Ah come on, we all love Weezer. How could you not? Whether it’s the beers in the air, stompathon “Beverly Hills” or the juvenile, sumo antics of “Hash Pipe,” the lovable 1950’s tinged “Buddy Holly” or the fact guitarist/vocalist Rivers Cuomo looks absolutely nothing like a rock star. The LA band have been around the block for a while now, starting their career way back in 1992 just on the tail end of the widely popular grunge movement. You can certainly hear influences of it on their debut album Weezer or The Blue Album as it’s better known.
For the most part of their career, Weezer have successfully encompassed the kind of sound that could quite easily belong on any house party playlist. There’s plenty of hits in their back catalogue. Weezer’s latest album Everything Will Be Alright In The End marks their first release since 2010’s Hurley.
Everything Will Be Alright In The End starts out in familiar Weezer teritory; opening track “Ain’t Got Nobody” is a catchy pop rock track sang from the viewpoint of a very lonely Cuomo. The lyrics are childish and silly and you’d expect them from a teenage band, not a man in his mid 40’s. Cuomo does have a penchant for ridiculous lyrics though and it’s hard to be mad at him for it, he doesn’t look a day over 20. “Back To The Shack” was the first single to be released and its pretty much the same. Same chugging guitars, gang vocals for a chorus, and bizarre lyrics. It’s evident that Weezer wish it were the 90’s again.
“Eulogy Of A Rock Band” sounds like it belongs on 2005 album Make Believe, an album that I absolutely adore, so this is not a problem for me at all. In fact the first half of Everything Will Be Alright In The End is predictable, solid, comfort zone Weezer and that’s great. You know what you’re going to get, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. The second half of the album is where the band tried to mix it up a bit, especially the final three tracks. The expansive rock opera of “I. The Waste Lands,” “II. Anonymous,” and “III. Return To Ithaka” are actually pretty impressive when listened to back to back. There’s constant changes of pace, there’s intricate guitar riffs and solos and by God there’s even a piano. It’s brilliant and it just shows that for all their nonsense and childish lyrics and good times vibes that when Weezer take it seriously they can produce something as quality as this.
Everything Will Be Alright In The End also features a couple of guest appearances, such as The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins on “I’ve Had It Up To Here” and the lovely Bethany Cosentino from fellow LA band Best Coast on the very 90’s sounding “Go Away.”There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Everything Will Be Alright In The End. It’s a solid, competent album. It’s packed with fun tracks and there’s lots to enjoy without every branching out into stand out territory, save for the three concept tracks at the end. I personally had a great time listening to it and it could quite easily sit in the ever growing Weezer back catalogue.
Rating: 4/5