Weezer, Weezer (Black Album) | Album Review

Not slowing down in the least and remaining prolific, Rivers Cuomo and Weezer release their second album of 2019, ‘Weezer (Black Album).’

Being a rock band in the late 10s can be challenging. Why? Well, rock’s relevance in the mainstream has been quite arduous to come by.  Rock bands are sometimes forced to shake up the formula and ‘sell out’ in order to sell records. Weezer is one of those bands that have been criticized given their assimilation ‘to the times’ you might say. While there have been and are several arguments to be made that the alternative collective is well past their prime, Rivers Cuomo and company do deserve credit for continuing to hustle, even with some assimilation involved. Ultimately their second album of 2019, Weezer (Black Album) has its fair share of memorable and respectable moments.  It may not be perfect, but there are some gems to be found.

“Can’t Knock the Hustle”

“My manager’s slacking so I gotta move quick / I’m lacking in natural gifts / I’m an ugly motherfucker, but I work hella harder / And you can write a blog about it.” Yep, ✓ “Can’t Knock the Hustle” begins Black Album with a bang. Set in a minor key, it’s an incredibly groovy record that incorporates Spanish cues. Weezer shows openness and willingness to experiment, keeping the modern pop audience in mind. While modern pop worked against them at times on Pacific Daydream, it works out superbly for Rivers Cuomo and company here.  Perhaps it’s the hip-hop influence that gives Cuomo more oomph, even. though everybody knows that Rivers is one of the most badass hipsters of them all.  His personality is turned up to the nth degree (in the nerdiest way possible) throughout the course of this record. A ‘too-good-to-resist,’ sing-along chorus truly makes “Can’t Knock the Hustle” incredibly awesome.

“Can’t knock the hustle

Can’t knock the hustle

Leave a five-star review and I’ll leave you one too

Can’t knock the hustle

Hasta luego

Hasta luego

Hasta luego, adios.”

“Zombie Bastards”

“Die, die, you zombie bastards / We know what you want.” Any time the word ‘bastards’ graces the song title of a pop record, it’s almost guaranteed to be compelling and worth checking out.  Like “Can’t Knock the Hustle” that precedes it, ✓ “Zombie Bastards” is an entertaining record thanks to tongue-n-cheek lyrics, and once more, the great, hipster personality of Cuomo.  The record isn’t transcendent, but the lyrics are colorful, and at times, fun. “Welcome to the jungle, to the jungle / Baby, it’s you and me,” Cuomo sings on the first verse, later continuing, “Walk between the raindrops… / Singing along to Queen / My heart pumps Kool-Aid.” Adding to the allure of “Zombie Bastards” is the aforementioned chorus.  Besides its lyrical highlights, “Zombie Bastards” is soundly produced, incorporating guitars, a sick groove, and of course, some synths.

“High as a Kite” 

✓ “High as a Kite” continues the pleasant listening experience that is Black Album.  The sound of can be described as retro pop (think late 60s and 70s), with a dash of indie-sensibility.  The production and overall vibe of the record are huge selling points, with its robust bass line, use of piano (and some synths), and powerful, distorted guitars, particularly on the epic chorus.  Cuomo remains an expressive vocalist, hearkening back to his more youthful days.  “Living in L.A.” follows with more contemporary cues, embracing a danceable sensibility.  No, “Living in L.A.” isn’t an explicit ‘dance’ song, but the groove is explosive from the onset, complemented by the rhythmic electric guitars and some synth action thrown into the mix.  Like everything else up until this point, the chorus is infectious to the nth degree.

“Piece of Cake,” like “High as a Kite” embraces retro-pop and rock, reminiscent of The Beatles or some of Sir Paul McCartney’s eclectic solo material.  The record is easy on the ears, finding Rivers Cuomo continuing to be quite effective vocally.  The wheel isn’t reinvented, but “Piece of Cake” is as pleasant as a ‘piece of cake.’  “I’m Just Being Honest” has a bit more of a bite, leaning on driving guitars more that the last couple of tracks.  Like much of Black Album, it’s completely inoffensive, but arguably doesn’t stand out.  Cuomo sings well, and the writing is respectable, but don’t call “I’m Just Being Honest” dynamic per se.

“Too Many Thoughts in My Head”

“Fuel up, bitch, there’s no more slackin’ / Moses looks upon the promised land.” Say what? Groove continues to be Weezer’s best friend on ✓ “Too Many Thoughts in My Head” – a big reason for the record’s success.  Notably, on the verses, Rivers Cuomo sings lyrics that are bona fide hipster in an undertone – such as the aforementioned lyrical gem – before belting it out on the high-flying chorus.  The emo, tortured vibes are ‘turned all the way up’ on chorus:

“Too many thoughts in my head, now

I can’t get out of my brain

They got me running in circles

Feel like I’m going insane

I had a funky night and my brain needs a break

I had a funky night and my brain needs a break

‘Cause there’s too many thoughts in my head, now

I can’t get out of my brain.”

Standout ✓ “The Prince Who Wanted Everything” endears from the start, with its souped-up guitar riffs and the tongue-in-cheek “do, do, do, do” vocals. In addition to the rock cues, there’s also a soulfulness, amplified by the strings and brass that recalls Motown and the R&B/soul of the 1970s.  Besides the sound, and once again, the overall vibe, “The Prince Who Wanted Everything” benefits from a simple, though utterly catch chorus, and clever, nerdy lyrics.  It’s not every day that you hear “All the courtiers would genuflect,” right?

“Byzantine” 

“I want Neil Young on your phone speaker in the morning / And fuck him if he just can’t see / This is how his songs are supposed to be heard.” Okay… Penultimate record “Byzantine” continues to highlight some of the best attributes of Black Album as a whole – groove, unique lyrics, and interesting production.  At the same time, the record does a fine job of distinguishing itself from everything else.  Honestly, what else does it sound like? Yes, it’s idiomatic of Weezer, but give the band credit for also going against the grain.  “California Snow” concludes the 10-track album with the influence of hip-hop and modern pop easily perceptible, given the production cues, particularly the synths.  And still, despite the tweaks, “California Snow” is still idiomatic of Weezer.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Weezer has their fair share of compelling moments on their second album of 2019, Weezer (Black Album).  No, the band doesn’t ‘reinvent the wheel’ by any means but give Rivers Cuomo and company for remaining relevant years after their lucrative prime.  Sure, rock music faces plenty of criticism for its assimilation to pop and hip-hop, but on this tight, 37-minute album, the band is successful more often than not. Maybe more important to Weezer and some frustrated fans is that they step up their game from the sketchy Pacific Daydream if nothing else.

✓ Gems: “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Zombie Bastards,” “High as a Kite,” Too Many Thoughts in My Head” & “The Prince Who Wanted Everything”

Weezer • Weezer (The Black Album) • Atlantic • Release: 3.1.19

Photo Credit: Atlantic