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| Weezer (Red Album) | 
 enlarge | Artist: Weezer
Label: Geffen Records
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy Used: $1.71
You Save: $12.27 (88%)
New (60) Used (46) from $1.71
Avg. Customer Rating:  82 reviews
Sales Rank: 1106
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 001113502
UPC: 602517671836
EAN: 0602517671836
ASIN: B001872MDM
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Complete with original case, disc(s), and artwork. In stock and ships right now. 10% chance the case has small spider cracks in it.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Weezer fails to 'Wow', again! June 4, 2008
7 out of 18 found this review helpful
Anyone waiting for Weezer to return to their glory days of writing material with any substance, well, keep on waiting (or better yet, just give up!). It's painfully obvious that the days of 'Blue' and 'Pinkerton' are long gone, and it's been a different Weezer ever since those brilliant albums were released.
I do have to say, the Red album does have a great sound and production. But with these mediocre songs, it really doesn't matter. As I listen to this album, I once again find myself a bit dumbfounded. After listening to either of Weezer's first two efforts (which I still do semi-regularly), I'm always left wondering - 'what the heck happened!?' This album (much like Green and Make Believe) is difficult for me to get through. Despite Rivers great voice, the melodies are boring, the lyrics are often meaningless, and the songs just don't stick.
Troublemaker - More or less the same two chords repeated over and over again with a boring vocal melody to match.
The Greatest Man That Ever Lived - An interesting song that goes through several different moods (there are heavy parts, acoustic parts, and even a capella sections). I will give Weezer credit for trying something different by writing a progressive song, but overall it just fails to capture me, and even when it does for a split second, it suddenly changes into something boring.
Pork and Beans - The first `single' from the album and probably the strongest track. While it's not horrible, the fact that it's the highlight of the album says a lot to me. It's pretty much a mediocre pop song.
Heart Songs - Dreadfully boring. Slow, mostly acoustic, and absolutely nothing catchy.
Everybody Gets Dangerous - Almost a rap song. Again, I really do give Rivers credit for trying new things, but that doesn't mean I like it. While it's a little fun, it's also pretty hokey; especially the weak chorus.
Dreamin' - Such an unoriginal song. It's bouncy, it's poppy, and it's completely forgettable.
Thought I Knew - Brian's song, I believe (another reviewer says it's Pat singing, but I don't think so - I don't know for sure though). Again, it's just so standard and boring, and without Rivers singing on it, it's REALLY a lacking track. Very un-Weezer-like, but these days that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Cold Dark World - The boring streak continues. Immediately after listening to this I couldn't even hum the chorus to you.
Automatic - See notes for `Cold Dark World'.
The Angel and the One - I wait for my angel to come and make this end! What can I say? It's as boring as the last few songs that precede this one. By the end, I'm glad it's over.
For people like me who think Weezer lost it after Pinkerton, this album will by no means make you change your mind. If you were a fan of `Make Believe', then you will probably enjoy this album as well. For me, I will always cherish early Weezer, along with my memories of seeing them live during the tours for the first two albums. I gave Red a few listens, and I think a few listens is all it will get from me. Personally, I enjoyed Rivers 'Alone' CD far more than this.
 Read Below June 4, 2008
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
Weezer has big brass balls! I waited awhile before I reviewed this. Like some reviewers, I thought Weezer might have fell apart. But, after listening carefully for awhile I found myself playing the album over and over again. The album really gets better which each listen. The bonus tracks on the deluxe version are okay. The problem for most fans will be that this album is so diverse and such a departure from their other efforts. It's clear the Weezer of old is dead. This band could keep writing the same Blue and Pinkerton albums over and over again, but they choose not to, they moved on and so should you. Nothing will ever compare to those first two albums as they are classic, but most artists can't compete with their early masterpieces. Would Nirvana really have toped Nevermind? I think not. The album is so different and they really took a risk. I give them credit and so should you. If you don't like this album, do yourself a favor and play it again. But, when you play it again stop comparing it to Blue or Pinkerton and you might suprisingly find yourself enjoying it.
Six albums deep, and Weezer still keeps it resoundingly fresh June 19, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
Weezer's 6th full-length album re-introduces them to the mainstream in a similar fashion to their other self-titled releases. 1994's "Blue Album" and 2001's "Green Album" were, and are excellent introductions to Weezer's discography, as is 2008's "Red Album". The "Red Album" actually exemplifies excellent progress in their career. What's really changed is Rivers Cuomo's disposition & approach in his writing and delivery. He's a little older & wiser, and he's sounding a little more comfortable than he was on 2005's "Make Believe". Weezer still favors roaring guitar hooks, and pop melodies, as well as first-rate tongue-in-cheek pop culture references. However, their formula has been expanded to include long sprawling compositions that border on progressive rock.
As he has done with 2005's "Make Believe", producer Rick Rubin gives this album a perfectly polished feel. The album spans 10 tracks in just over 40-minutes, leaving the record filler-free. They covered all their styles quite nicely. "Troublemaker" is an infection classic-Weezer hard-rocker, while "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On A Shaker Hymn)" & "Dreamin'" exemplify excellent growth & progressive elements full of infectious harmonies & melodies. I can't think of a better single than "Pork And Beans", which boasts an excellent music video (as per usual). "Heart Songs" is a pop-culture treasure. It falls into a slower pop vibe similar to the infectiousness of 2001's "Island In The Sun". Arguably my favorite song here. "The Angel And The One" is the album's near 7-minute closer, and spans a variety of time changes, riffs, and melodies.
Compared to other post-grunge/alternative pop/rock acts that have been active since the mid 90s, Weezer has kept their material seamlessly riveting by staying current & fresh to mainstream standards, while simultaneously proving that they are one of the industries most successful mainstays. Weezer fans unite; they did it again!
If there was any doubt left that Weezer has lost its magic, this album confirms it. June 4, 2008
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
I don't really know how to eloquently describe every last reason why Weezer is dead. All I know is that Weezer used to be a special band, containing a very unique sound that I and many others loved. That sound was gone when Weezer re-incarnated itself with the Green Album, but the music was passable and still easy to get into. The projects after that, however, left a lot to be desire.
Fast forward, and now we are left with this. The Blue Album and Pinkerton each had a classic and unique sound which was ultimately timeless. This album is, in every way, a "modern" album, assaulting the senses with every sound imaginable in an unstoppable wall of compression. It is also a disposable album, which assaults the senses while creating no music that is actually endearing. I have no doubt that even if this album manages to spawn a number of hit singles, it will easily be forgotten. It feels, and in many ways simply is, to be more of an R&B album than a rock album.
The modern, overboard production style is simply not what works for Weezer (or any other band that wants to create lasting music, but that is another story). When there is an acoustic guitar in this album, it doesn't sound like a real acoustic. It's been processed to sound like a compressed blob, which might work for one song on an album but does not work for an entire album. The vocals are processed the same way. When the band members are singing, they hardly sound like real people. Consequently, the intimacy and connection is completely gone, and those are the qualities that Weezer used to thrive on even while they were rocking out. The songs themselves aren't all bad, but they simply aren't in a way that actually makes them interesting.
Troublemaker is about the only song on this album worth listening. It is amazingly catchy and easy to sing along with. The rest are only worth listening to if you absolutely have the find out just how far one of the best bands of the nineties has fallen.
On the bright side...it IS better than Make Believe June 5, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I have been a Weezer fan since the first CD and have loved each release, until 'Make Believe'. 'Make Believe' was the worst CD I have heard in a very long time, from anyone. I was hoping for much better with this CD so I bought online after reading reviews about how "They're back!". I will say it is better than 'Make Believe' but it still lacks something...good songs.
Edit : 06/13
After many many listens, this CD is only slightly better than my initial review. Which isn't all bad. I thought maybe 'Make Believe' was one of those CD's that you needed to hear 100 times before you thought it was good but it turns out I just wanted to hurl about 100 times. The Red Album got better after more listens to add another 1/2 star. Some of the songs are awful no matter how many times you listen to them.
-- As a sidenote, why is everyone so down on Maladroit? I think it's an awesome CD. Was surprised to read people say it is their weakest.
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