Album Review: Weezer ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’

Gerry Doot

Weezer has had an interesting career. They are one of the founding fathers of what is now known as “indie rock.” When hair metal was on its way out, Rivers Cuomo was still a fan of the ultra technical guitar rock. He wanted to be able to shred while still having a relevant and legitimate voice in music, so he and three buddies came together and created songs based on pop music and early grunge that was catchy and still allowed the occasional guitar solo.

Their debut self-titled work, known as “The Blue Album,” was a massive hit and made waves all throughout the rock world. However, their second album, “Pinkerton,” did not have the same reception. In fact, it was agreed on as a failure, even though most hard core fans agree that it is their best work.

Now nine albums deep, the boys in Weezer are back with an album that combines the style of their more recent work with that of their early work. The album was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars, who produced “The Blue Album” and “The Green Album.” After several albums worth of experimentation, bringing in new and extra band members, and taking time off from writing, “Everything Will Be Alright in the End” is sort of a cumulative sound that takes into account their old stuff, their new stuff, and does so with a sense of humor and clever wit.

The album starts with a straightforward, dirty guitar-driven groove. “Ain’t Got Nobody” feels like a modern Weezer sound with some good throwback hints. The beat drives and moves through a catchy bit of pessimism. The chorus repeats the title of the song and bounces along to introduce the album in a fun and upbeat manner.

The first single off the album is “Back to the Shack,” and it is hilarious to anyone who knows a bit of Weezer history. After the years of toying around with their sound and lineup, critics picked them apart for not sticking to what they do best. In what may be the best lines on the album is Cuomo’s “I thought I’d get a new audience, I forgot that disco sucks… Maybe I should play the lead guitar and Pat should play the drums.” Not that Weezer ever put out a KISS-esque disco album, but their fans will definitely appreciate the self-deprecating humor.

“Go Away” sounds a lot like something that might have appeared on an earlier album. The song features Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino in a back-and-forth duet with Cuomo. It is a perfect example of the roots of Weezer’s style and sound. Four chords on a distorted guitar and simple pop drums keep the song churning while the vocals shine.

Two of the last three songs are instrumental and they truly rock on that element alone! The three songs are all a part of one complete piece that finishes an album that makes a serious statement about what Weezer really has become; they are a simplistic band with immense talent that knows where it came from, while having found new ground after a long career.

The album’s tones are a perfect salute to their old sound while maintaining artistic integrity and not just aiming to please fans. Songs mostly follow their usual format, and somehow allow them to do something new. “Everything Will Be Alright in the End” shows Weezer’s roots while allowing for growth as artists, and should be heard by old fans as well as new ones – but only after the new fans have heard the old stuff first.

Weezer’s ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’ will be released on Sept. 30.