Weezer has been playing it safe lately. Putting their single as the opening song, appropriately titled “Memories,” Rivers Cuomo (vocals/guitar) demonstrates his talent in writing the perfect pop song. Tying the melody and light-hearted guitar riffs that are reminiscent of, “The Blue Album” (1994), yet with vocals the sound of wolves that touch close to the style heard in “Pinkerton” (1996).
Being Weezer’s first release on an indie label, Epitaph Records, Hurley holds out a nostalgic hand for die-hard listeners. Yet, after a good first track, the rest of the album takes a more radio-friendly route with songs that extinguish the flame in any audience’s heart, from the guy who’s been listening since their first album, to the song junkies who hear them on the radio. For long time fans of the band, the hope to hear another “Say it ain’t so” or “Hash Pipe” was lost after “Beverly Hills” (2005).
With “Hurley” coming out Sept. 14, we can only guess what the number of sales will be in its first week. As opposed to Lil’ Wayne’s appearance on last year’s “Raditude,” having actor Michael Cera make an appearance as the awkward backing vocalist will more than likely help boost sales. Cera (“Super Bad,” “Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World”) makes an appearance singing backing vocals and playing odd instruments, like the hurdy-gurdy and mandolin on the song “Hang On”.
The album is named after a character from the TV series, “Lost,” named Hurley.
“I was coming up with all kinds of stuff, but ultimately, we just went with some random word that doesn’t really have anything to do with anything,” Cuomo said in an interview with Spinner. “I just loved this photo of Jorge Garcia–it just had this amazing vibe.”
“We didn’t want to do a fourth self-titled record and we knew people would refer to it as the Hurley record.”
People have even gone as far to say this is a marketing ploy for the clothing company Hurley, which happens to be an inside joke for websites such as Reddit.com, seeing as the album comes out after school shopping is finished.
Throughout the record, songs sound like rock anthems, comparative to Green Day’s “American Idiot” and “21st Century Breakdown.” But for bands that formed in the 90’s, this is how they hold onto the spotlight.
What does save Hurley are the few songs that are accessible for even the most barbaric listener; “Memories,” “Trainwrecks,” “Unspoken” and “Time Flies” which means at least 2/5 of the record is worth listening to. The album is going to rock your eardrums, making you blush along the way just as hoped for. The problem lies within some of Cuomo’s lyrics; such as “Red lipstick/Red dresses/I shouldn’t look but it makes us boys go crazy for you.”
Hurley showcases a thought that maybe now is the time for Weezer to stop recording, release a greatest hits already and keep touring like Kiss, which happens to be Cuomo’s favorite band.
Thankfully, in November, Epitaph will release a two-disc special edition of the fan favorite “Pinkerton” as well as “Death to False Metal”—a compilation of unreleased Weezer songs. But if you can’t wait that long to listen to some genuinely good Weezer, go listen to “The Blue Album” and get ready to rock like it’s 1994.
