Review Summary: Weezer doesn't try to sway the haters, but have created another appealing album for fans.
Raditude is not a joke. Let's get that straight first. Rivers Cuomo has even said that he is tired of people thinking their last couple albums were made with the intention of being a giant deuce on their fans. What this is, however, is an underrated, enjoyable album from a band that can still hit the mark.
First track and single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" is a bit of a departure from Weezer's previous material. It has more of a folky feel, but also stands out as a great pop song. Upon first listen, it is excellent, but it does wear thin after a while. It isn't all the album has to offer though. The second song "I'm Your Daddy" is among one of a trio of songs that all sound similar, but are different in their own ways. They make up some of the best songs on the album, and they showcase Weezer just being themselves; "Trippin' Down the Freeway" and "Let It All Hang Out" are the other two.
After the first half, the album does drag a bit. "Love is the Answer" is quite possibly the worst song on
Raditude, with an extremely annoying chorus and bad Hindi vocals that don't really fit the song at all. "In the Mall" may have a great guitar solo, but it gets buried beneath the rhythm guitar and the chorus is grating. "I Don't Want To Let You Go" isn't even close to the best Weezer album closer, but it ends the CD on a high note and grows on you easily.
Although Rivers now has writing emotionally distant pop songs down to a science, it isn't necessarily a bad thing, and this album proves that. Songs like "Put Me Back Together" and "The Underdogs" (on the deluxe edition) prove that he can still write emotional, beautiful songs in the post-
Pinkerton era, and these songs are just as good as anything from that period of time.
In conclusion,
Raditude is another good effort from Weezer, and while it may be slightly below
Red and dissapointing for some fans, the sound strangely works. It has its faults, but it is a rock solid effort from the band, and undoubtedly one that will get underrated due to the fact that it can't match
Pinkerton or
Blue. News flash; it's 2009. Stop holding Weezer to past standards.
Recommended tracks:
"Let It All Hang Out"
"I'm Your Daddy"
"Put Me Back Together"
