The new Weezer album, Make Believe, is out in stores today. I have been looking forward to this for a while now. Weezer has been one of my favorite bands for a long time now. I thought Maladroit was excellent and I figured the new one would be a continuation of that sound with more of Rivers’ great songwriting. But this one sucks.
I enjoyed “Beverly Hills” even though it was not at all up to their usual standards for singles. Unfortunately, it’s my favorite song on the album. On my first listen, I was just shocked at how bad the songs sounded. The music was completely unoriginal and rarely catchy. The best parts were the blantant rip-offs of earlier Weezer songs. The lyrics sound like they were made up on the spot by a high school sophomore. I still cannot comprehend how a band that’s made so many songs I love can just completely miss the mark on an enitire album.
I don’t think it’s quite as bad as Pitchfork does, with their 0.4 rating. But I agree with a few of their criticisms, most notably this one: “Considering Weezer supposedly went through hundreds of songs and several discarded albums to arrive at this final product, the laziness of this songwriting borders on the offensive.”
I take no pleasure in ripping apart the new work of one of my former favorite bands. I know some people will gleefully rip apart a new Simpsons episode, explaining in detail why it’s not as good as a season 4 ep, but I hate those people. I still get every new Sonic Youth album even though it won’t be as good as Daydream Nation, and I always assumed Weezer would continue to crank out quality music, even if they never made another song as good as “My Name Is Jonas.” But, to me, this is album that makes me wonder what the hell happened to Rivers Cuomo’s songwriting ability.
If you can defend this album at all, please give it a shot. I’ll definitely give it another listen in hopes that there’s a little bit of that Weezer greatness in this album to be salvaged. But really, it’s looking bad.
Honestly, I prefer *Make Believe * to Green and Maladroit, even though I didn’t really have a problem with those albums either. I think Weezer just spoiled its fans so much with Blue and Pinkerton that they made it impossible to ever top the greatness of those two, plus I’d wager that most Weezer fans heard *Blue * and Pinkerton at key times in their lives (late teens, etc.) so that they really romanticized those albums and that sound, especially compared to what else was out there at the time.
I think “Beverly Hills” was a weak lead-off single, especially because I don’t think it represents the new sound on Make Believe. It borrows its structure and rhythm from “The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band, a song I never particularly cared for, and just reminds me of a frat boy drinking anthem, the kind of song that will live on for years at keg parties and karaoke events. But the rest of *Make Believe * was just good, solid, fun (if light) power pop. And pop, by definition, is light, practically disposable music. I don’t think Weezer was attempting to turn musical conventions on their heads with this album, save the world, or teach us any universal truths. It’s just catchy little pop songs. And frankly, I think “This Is Such a Pity” is the highlight, and as great as anything off Blue or Pinkerton. I’ve been listening to the album for over a week now, and I am happy. Now you’re definitely entitled to your own opinion, but once again I am stunned by the pretentiousness of Pitchfork Media. I keep expecting them to take their website offline because they think they’re too cool for people to read.
It sounds like the same problem with the new Garbage and Nine Inch Nails albums: the fanbase has matured, but the songs haven’t. I’m not rushing out to buy this one.
Hey HowieReynolds, I was about to ask you if you were an older gentleman who used to hang out with the band Less Than Jake in Gainesville, Florida in the late '90s. That guy was a real character. I see you also live in Florida, but then I checked your profile, and you were born in 1980. Sorry!
Well said.
I came by to post almost exactly what Howie OP’d. I kinda like Beverly Hills, and it’s the best song on the album by far. We Are All On Drugs? Sheesh.
Weezer is now officially off my automatic purchase list. That list is getting pretty short actually…
Wow, thanks for the heads-up, guys. I am forewarned.
I keep expecting them to take their website offline because they think they’re too cool for people to read.—Pretty funny, Voodoo Lou. 
Those Pitchfork reviewers can sometimes be a bit precious.
I had a lengthy reply on how repetitive the songs were and terrible the lyrics were but it was eaten so you’re all on your own.