Weezer - 'The Green Album' (Geffen)
4/5
By: Matt Tomiak
Truly, sometimes less is more. With this record clocking in at a mere 28 minutes, in addition to it being the first Weezer release in 5 years, 'eagerly awaited' hardly does it justice. But sometimes these long breaks can prove a band's undoing. Just look at what happened to Elastica, after all.
So, is it any good? Just a little bit. It is no exaggeration to say that any of the ten superb tracks on offer here would make a brilliant single. Take pulsating opener, 'Don't Let Go'; huge, churning riffs, the unmistakable, classic vocal harmonies - and, of course, River Cuomo's heartfelt, yearning lyrics: 'But if there comes a day/You should turn your heart away/ I'll be down on my knees/Begging for that girl to stay'. This is simply proof positive that perfect pop-punk can actually be thoughtful, mature, and (whisper it quietly in case Blink-182 are listening), intelligent.
... And that is Weezer's fortι: balancing the 'ear-candy' melodies, as Rivers himself has described the tunes, with words that actually mean something. So, five years in the making - but 'The Green Album' is a shining example of how good things truly do come to those who wait.
Artists in this article: Weezer
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