Part of my big plan for yesterday, which was new music Tuesday, was to swing by Best Buy after I picked-up Darby to grab the long awaited new Weezer album. But I forgot. Can you believe that? I was so worried about being on time for Darby's game that I forgot about the all important big plan.
So today at lunch I used up most of that time to get to and from the Best Buy. In addition to the new Weezer album, I picked up the new Starting Line album.
Unfortunately, it was almost not worth the trip. Based on the fact that it had been three years since their last album, and on the fact that -- per their website -- they stopped and restarted their new album effort after being inspired somehow, I expected more, or at least a more refined release. And this is not to mention some of the advanced reviews, which left me with the anticipation of a Pinkerton-esque release.
The present verdict is that there are clearly a handful of really good songs. But there are, atypically for them, quite a few what-on-earth-were-they-thinking tracks as well. In particular, "We're all on drugs". I really hope that song's not autobiographical. There were also way too many touchy-feely songs for a band operating under the Weezer franchise.
The whole effort was saved by the Starting Line acquisition. While not as a whole better than their last album, it's generally quite good, and there are several tracks that are easily better than any one tune on the last album. I've spent much more time enjoying this CD than I have with Weezer. Sorry guys. I'll still listen to the good stuff, but the other stuff kind of hurts my ears.
Anti-Negativity Update, 12 May
It occured to me that I may have come across with a "this Weezer album sucks" attitude. Let me correct myself. I am a fan, and am grateful for fresh, new, quality Weezer tunes, so while I'm disappointed in some of the track choices, I'm generally satisfied with this release, which maintains that distinctive, classic Weezer sound. Rock on.
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