Weezer’s first two albums were startlingly consistent and
craft-obsessed pop records that made the most of grunge’s loud/soft
mixing skills and found a niche for themselves in a mostly humorless
alternative-rock boom with pop-art videos and a reverence for
songwriting. In short, they were Marshall Crenshaw with a sex
addiction. But they’ve equalled those heights since. On 2001’s “green”
album, they played it safe. Last year’s “red” album bucked formula with
self-referential goofiness and genuinely inspired detours into old-man
strangeness, like “Pork and Beans.” Even half of 2002’s metal-damaged
Maladroit shined. In fact, they’ve only made two truly bad
albums.
Unfortunately, Raditude is one of them. None of the songs are
funny, half are catchy and all are disposable — nothing offensive
or godawful. Even Lil’ Wayne’s WTF guest spot would be considered
middle-of-the-road on any 2009 Timbaland-lite pop-rap record. The
stupidest songs are the best ones: “The Girl Got Hot” at least tries,
with its addictive, Gary Glitter cheerleader-chants. “I’m Your Daddy”
is less creepy than anything on Pinkerton, and sweeter too. The
first few tracks and bonus song “Run Over by a Truck” are worth
hummable, and worthy of spots on a greatest-hits compilation. —
Dan Weiss
This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2009.
