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DL: http://www.box.net/shared/0rigk1l80z
the album:
Hurley is an interesting work (and it came out on my 31st birthday this year). it makes for some good rock with a catchy beat and relatable lyrics fitting in a ton of cultural references. definitely a stronger showing from their past 2 albums that will keep me in the franchise, and a welcome return to what made the band rock in their first few albums (perhaps because it was independently produced, after finishing their contract with Geffen). "Memories" is a fitting opening salvo for this Weezer album (they're known for their strong album starts). "Ruling Me" keeps you humming along with the chorus in a doo-wap kinda way. "Where's My Sex?" will give you a chuckle if you know the inside joke (frontman Rivers Cuomo found his daughter looking for her socks, but using the word "sex" instead, and the song pretty much wrote itself). sadly, the original emo overtones (that made their sophomore Pinkerton a generational favorite) onky make a brief appearance in in "Run Away." finally "Smart Girls" is a BIT poppy for my tastes, but i'm sure it will be the single that pays the bills and keeps the teenage girls buying albums.
the artist:
i've been a Weezer fan for a very, very long time (more on that here). from my high-school days humming "the Sweater Song," through the college angst of Pinkerton. while many bands have come and gone through my musical catalog, these guys, by far have remained mainstays throughout the changes in my life and sonic tastes. they're the only band from whom i will BUY each and every actual album without hearing anything about it. to me - Rivers Cuomo is not just a reclusively normal rocker (except when onstage), but one of the great front-mans of our generation (olds dudes like Bono and Sting are a bit old for my taste). interestingly enough, Rivers used the proceeds from their first (hit) album to send himself to Harvard (only to drop out to get back to being a rockstar, and later writing a pretty interesting entrance essay to get back in and finish what he started). there's a LOT more to be said about the band - their friendship, and sound. probably known to most is the band's penchant for some entertaining videos. their first few albums were great, they got so-so in the middle (their previous two, Red, and Raditude left me with an "enh" feeling), but this most recent one gives me faith that they've got years of great music ahead of them.
what's new with me:
i turned 31.
i'm getting married in Alaska.
i went to Portland for <24 hours last month.
i quit my job and am driving across America (before starting my new job in January).
i still like comic books.
Listened to this one on the bus this morning. Playful and generally inoffensive. Felt like it could have just as easily been an Avril Lavigne record though. Not their best stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe Coldplay cover was surprising, a bit like spotting Leonard Nemoy at a Tool concert. The last track was my favourite.
I had listen to this one before you posted it. I was curious what the sound would be like with Rivers Cuomo doing side projects such as the songs with B.O.B and with Kevin Rudolf. Sounds like Cuomo having other outlets for his creativity is a good thing for your (Raman's) taste.
ReplyDeleteAnd "Viva la Vida" was hilarious! I laughed out loud then was super jealous I wasn't in the live audience when they recorded that track.