"Raditude," seemingly a combination of the words radical and attitude, seems to embody the attitude Weezer wanted to record. And fortunately, on the band's latest album, there's a lot of it.
This record is for the Weezer fan that has accepted that "The Blue Album" days are done and, if fanboys can accept it, everyone can rock out to almost every song.
Although the songs lack frontman Rivers Cuomo's heart-wrenching lyrics of "Pinkerton" fame, the Harvard graduate revels in his rockstar status and stops being so serious.
It's nice to see Cuomo loosen his tie, ditch the pocket protector for a little bit and unwind.
If you can get past the fact that this is a pop-rock album meant to be fun and not the band's attempt to insult a listener's intelligence, it's easy to notice your toe tapping along with the songs.
"The Girl Got Hot" is just a song about checking out a girl and debating whether to talk with her, sitting atop power chords and the occasional guitar squeal. It's not a tale about cutting out your heart and making your crush watch.
However, if you want the old Cuomo, just put on "Put Me Back Together." The track turns from acoustic ballad to rock anthem as the frontman describes his frustration with an unrequited love.
Then there are a few trouble spots that do not seem to fit with the rest of the album's tone.
Take "Can't Stop Partying." The song's production, complete with drum machine, has too much rap and not enough of the rock that put other examples of this genre's collaborations into the spotlight. As much as it wants to succeed in crossing genres, it only makes the listener want to hit the skip button even more.
"(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," which Cuomo co-wrote with producer Butch Walker, was meant to feel like a '50s pop song, but leaves the listener wanting more.
The noticeable absence of a bassline and the reliance on cowbell and other percussion instruments could be the reason why the song is not as catchy as the others are.
Overall, Weezer delivers a good pop and rock record that tries to silence all its detractors. Regardless of the fact this is not the Weezer that you grew up with, this album is full of raditude.
Grade: B
Download: "The Girl Got Hot," "Put Me Back Together"
