Review Summary: I don’t know if I can Get Right
Weezer have always been an interesting case. While primarily a power pop/Emo outfit, the group’s stretches into different sounds and styles have been always met with largely mixed results. ‘Maladroit’’s fantastic dabble into metal brushed out brilliantly, while their 2008 self titled red album’s looks into prog rock baffled many. Rivers Cuomo has never been shy about admitted his pop influences, with Weezer’s tracks often being perfectly radio friendly pop punk. Pacific Daydream, however is a head first dive into pure pop rock. Slick production brings PD forward and the results are easy, fun and catchy. A stronger emphasis on bass gives Scott Shriner a greater role in the album’s sound, giving the album are groovy and fresh sound. Is it a perfect daydream however?
The album’s kickoff track ‘Mexican Fender’ is a nostalgic power chord laced stomper, with lyrics detailing a meeting with the (more so River’s) perfect girl. It’s a fun, rather heavy singalong with a strong chorus and hard beat. The sadly overlooked ‘Beach Boys’ uses a stellar bass riff with some incredibly pleasing vocals from Cuomo, essentially fanboying over one of his primary influences, but not so much that it becomes overbearing and cringy. Lead single and polariser ‘Feels Like Summer’ morphs a rather melancholic but catchy sound with a dazzling chorus to birth an electro pop gem. ‘Happy Hour’ is a pleasantly warm RNB track with some rather downbeat lyrics which sadly fails to amaze in its duration. The reggae-lite Weekend Woman presents Shriner’s bass playing at full power with powerful drumming from Pat Wilson and cute lyrics. ‘QB Blitz’ is a more laid back acoustic affair with some... unique lyrics about algebra which is graced with some truly gorgeous guitar work and a restrained but effective chorus.
The preciously beautiful ‘Sweet Mary’ utilises slide guitar playing and a powerful bridge, with some surprisingly dark but uplifting lyrics. The album’s debated highlight is the wonderful ‘Get Right’, which gradually builds from a mellow guitar track into a thumping pop rock gem featuring one of the most infectiously catchy choruses on the whole record. ‘La Mancha Screwjob’ is a more diluted and admittedly dull track, despite some excellent bass work again from Scott. Rivers’ vocals fail to impress and the song feels sadly rather one note. The finale ‘Any Friend Of Diane’s’ is another upbeat but dark track with a catchy guitar riff and chorus, which is sadly dragged down a bit by the confusing and often questionable lyric choices (Papa Johns and the Smiths are both brought up) but the song’s melodically pleasing tone helps it end the record on a good note.
PD gets a lot of flack from Weezer fans. Many consider it too over produced, Boring and mainstream. While I disagree, I can understand the sudden shift into more radio friendly modern pop can be a throw off, given the group’s previous release was seen as a return to form. Never the less, PD boasts a finely crafted set of pop gems with strong playing from the group, despite some odd lyrical choices and one or two so-so tracks. It’s a soothing, welcoming album that is good to kick back and relax too. Hit play and let the Daydream begin.
Standout tracks:
Mexican Fender
Beach Boys
Weekend Woman
QB Blitz
Sweet Mary
Get Right
