SHREDnews

By Ashley Pagano

November 3^rd is the date, Raditude is the album, and Weezer is the band of music gods who made it all happen. Weezer consists of Richard Cuomo (lead vocals, lead guitar), Patrick Wilson, (drums, guitar, backup vocals), Matt Sharp, (bass, backup vocals) and Jason Cropper (rhythm guitar and backup vocals). The band is obviously not new to the music scene, for Weezer has been around for quite some time. In fact, the band has been around for so long that Raditude is their seventh studio album released. As always with Weezer albums, Raditude is unbelievably fun with high energy, and most importantly, it is full of incredibly music.

Weezer starts the album off with “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To,” which has a catchy melody that acts as a hook. The chorus is exceedingly memorable and it will surely stick with you after only one listen.  This song is a great opener for the album because it has high energy and alludes to the sound and direction of the rest of the album. Weezer continues the upbeat sound right into the song, “I’m Your Daddy,” which despite the awkward title is actually a humorous love song.  With lyrics such as, “I hope that I aint freaking you out,” this song reminds you that the members of Weezer are just genuinely quirky, yet slightly awkward guys. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album.

“I Can’t Stop Partying” rounds out the first section of the album and shows that the band has full intention to experiment with their new upbeat sound. The song is simply about being addicted to parties, drinking, and loud music; it would seem that the Weezer and Weezy collaboration has brought out the true rock star side of the band. That’s right, Lil’ Wayne guests on the track, which threw me off guard, but I was pleasantly surprised when I liked it. Weezer gets back in touch with its rock side right in the middle album with “Tripping Down The Freeway,” which has a good sound, and is more indicative to original Weezer. This track is a bit more familiar if you are a diehard Weezer fan, which demonstrates the band’s intention to remain true to their roots even while experimenting with different sounds.

As Raditude moves into the closing section there is no hint of letting the intensity down. The guitars in “Let It All Hang Out” are absolutely awesome and make you want to sing along to the song at the top of your lungs. Then in a surprising turn of events, Weezer quiets the entire album down for “I Don’t Want To Let You Go,” which is technically the closing track on the album if you exclude bonus material. With a softer and more true sound, this track seems to be about still loving someone after a breakup and not wanting to sound desperate and clinging to them, but not wanting to give up on them. The genuine content and pureness of the sound reminds listeners of the original Weezer.

As the album moves into the bonus tracks, the softer sound does not stick around for long, because Weezer brings the rock sound back with “Get Me Some”.  Again, another self-explanatory title, but the sound is incredible. It is a seemingly upbeat song, but with a little darker sound and connotation.  Again, Weezer decided to close with more of a mellow song, “The Underdogs”. It’s starts out a bit depressing, but as the song picks up, it ends up a little optimistic. This album had a variety of songs from rapping, to the old rock sound Weezer is known for. Raditude shows off their versatility and how musically inclined the band really is; only attesting to the fact that Weezer can do it again, and again.

Track List:

1. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
2. I’m Your Daddy
3. The Girl Got Hot
4. Can’t Stop Partying (Polow version)
5. Put Me Back Together (Rich Costy mix)
6. Trippin’ Down The Freeway
7. Love Is The Answer
8. Let It All Hang Out
9. In The Mall
10. I Don’t Want To Let You Go
11. Get Me Some
12. Run Over By A Truck
13. The Prettiest Girl In The Whole Wide World
14. The Underdogs

For Fans Of: Phantom Planet // Cake // Jimmy Eat World

Recommended Tracks: (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To, I’m Your Daddy, I Don’t Want To Let You Go

Overall Rating: 8/10