Dear Weezer,
Stop it. Seriously, just stop. There is something to be said for quirkiness, for awkwardness, for just being strange… provided that it can be backed up.
You see, that was precisely what was great about the old Weezer – it was precisely what we all liked. You were odd, unusual, and awkward, but damn were you good. Sure you looked out of place and yes, you sounded a bit peculiar, but the music was great! Driving guitars and big, screaming solos coupled with straining vocals delivered to the dime. And the lyrics… oh the lyrics. A bit strange, sure, but as catchy and unique as they came.
And then came the travesty that was “Make Believe.” God, after the “Green Album,” “Blue Album,” “Pinkerton,” and “Maladroit,” this album made me want to vomit… and plug my ears. I mean, it was terrible. Really, truly, completely awful. “Beverly Hills”? “We Are All On Drugs"? Some of the worst singles of the year. The only redeeming song off the album was “Perfect Situation.”
When I heard you were putting out a new album last year, I had very little but doubt in the effort. And sure enough, the “Red Album” was completely underwhelming. Sure, there were some redeeming songs (in particular the delightfully epic “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”), but in general it was a collection of pithy, meaningless songs that failed to leave even the slightest positive impression.
And just when I thought you had reached an all-time low and all bets were off, you did it again. You started selling your own brand of the Snuggie. Really? A Snuggie? Maybe you should have spent more time doing something productive. Something like, oh I don’t know… writing quality songs?
But nope! Next I heard, you were collaborating with Lil Wayne. And Rainn Wilson (Dwight from The Office) named your album “Raditude.” And Jermaine Dupri was co-writing… the same Jermaine Dupri who produces and writes with artists like Bow Wow, Kriss Kross, Destiny’s Child, and more. And Dr. Luke, who has produced albums for Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, and Avril Lavigne was lending the creative direction. Recipe for disaster? Absolutely.
And on November 3rd, you released that atrocity of a new album. And you had the audacity to package it with your personal line of Snuggies? Shame on you, Weezer. With lyrics that boast of rolling up to the clubs and popping bottles of Gray Goose, the album became a bastion of worthlessness. And then you recorded a live session with Kenny G. Kenny G? But wait, you went so far as to several weeks later state that you hope to collaborate more with him in the future? Weezer, you officially have reached an all time low. Mr. Rivers, you allowed one of the best bands of the 90’s to crash and burn.
So please, Weezer, for the sake of us all, just stop it. Enough is enough. Let us cherish the memories of what you once were.
