Weezer

Item: Maladroit
Author: Matt Modrich

Maladroit

(2002)

Reviewed by Matt Modrich

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Label Geffen RecordsDecapolisJune 2002

alternative rock pop punk power pop rock

It's been a year since "The Green Album" was released on Geffen Records and now with the help of their fans, who selected the songs on the band's web site, Weezer is releasing their fourth album "Maladroit."

This is a difficult album to review because when it comes to Weezer the only thing music critics can agree on is that "The Blue Album" is a gem. Surprisingly, solid albums like "Pinkerton" and "The Green Album" were far from being received by critics with open arms.

While Weezer should get some props for inquiring of their fans on this album, the fans appear to be just as fickle as the music press. Weezer needs to know they're a great band and always will be, regardless of what anybody says. Having said that, "Maladroit," which is French for "awkward" is slightly that. It would be fair to say that it's going in a lot of directions and that it's not a classic Weezer album, but it still has its moments.

The first track "American Gigolo" starts out like "Hash Pipe" and then builds nicely into an anthemic chorus. Next comes the single "Dope Nose" which is decent, but there are other songs, like "Keep Fishin'," that would make a better single. "Keep Fishin'" starts out sounding like Green Day with Rivers singing and then moves into a poppy chorus.

The middle of "Maladroit" is mediocre, but is ultimately held together by the guitar solos. "Take Control" rocks out at moments, but is average at best. "Death and Destruction" works as a ballad, but it doesn't quite get off the ground. "Slob" is full of angst, as it rebels against society's expectations: "I don't like how you're living my life/Get yourself a wife/Get yourself a job/You're living a dream/Don't you be a slob." While "Slob" shows some lyrical depth, it fails to be one of the better songs on the album.

Then along comes "Burndt Jamb;" it's a sappy pop song that grooves like something off of a Cardigans album, but it's a nice change of pace. "Space Rock" blends into the album almost unnoticed before "Slave," which sounds like something off the Green Album; poppy, yet sad. Then, just when you've got them figured out, "Fall Together" rocks out courtesy of an old school guitar solo with Hendrix-like bends.

"Possibilities" is a fine moment as Weezer goes punk for about two minutes. Then, they snap out of it and the drummer returns to their standard 4/4 time with "Love Explosion." Finally "December" ends "Maladroit" with a slow pop song about love.

In general, "Maladroit" is a serviceable album. It's nowhere close to Weezer's best, but it's in the top four for sure. Its 13 short songs and seven video clips should definitely satisfy the diehard listener. Then again, the diehard listener probably already downloaded all of these songs off the net before the album came out.

Lastly, it's important to note that regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, Weezer is not emo. They're just a classic modern rock'n'roll band with some 50's pop sensibilities.

C+