By ZOE PETERSON – Staff Writer
American rock group Weezer released their 9th studio album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, on Oct. 7. After their 2010 album, Pinkerton, drew negative responses from critics and even Weezer’s fans, this album serves as the perfect comeback to the rock music world.
Lead singer Rivers Cuomo kicks off with an apology in “Back to the Shack” and pleads “Sorry guys, I didn’t realize that I needed you so much / I thought I’d get a new audience, I forgot that disco sucks.” This is the first single on Everything Will Be Alright in the End, and the second track on the album.
After an experimental phase full of testing out new sounds and lyrics, the band reunited with producer Ric Ocasek on this album, who produced Weezer’s 1994 debut record, The Blue Album and 2001 self-titled record, Weezer. Because of this, most of the album gives off a nostalgic feel, with familiar “old Weezer” garage rock sounds appearing on tracks like “Ain’t Got Nobody.”
Most songs on Everything Will Be Alright in the End dig deeper into Cuomo’s personal life, and provide raw lyrics that are much more meaningful than those of previous Weezer albums. On “Foolish Father,” Cuomo sings a moving song about forgiveness. Even with dark lyrics such as “Think of how destroyed he feels / Walking to his grave plot / Knowing that the one he loves / Hates him with all of her heart,” the track is still able to hook the listener with an upbeat tempo and heavy guitar riffs.
Best Coast singer and guitarist, Bethany Cosentino, is featured in a duet with Cuomo on “Go Away.” The song shifts more towards a classic pop melody than the usual Weezer rock. Although this is one of the weaker songs on the album, it still manages to have a catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for days.
The fifth track of the album, “I’ve Had It Up To Here,” combines an upbeat, classic rock style song with honest lyrics exploring the band’s views on pop culture. The song seems to be directed to fans who’ve lost hope in the band throughout their experimental phases and Pinkerton era, with lyrics promising that Weezer is back in the rock world, instead of succumbing to mainstream audiences.
The album is topped off with “The Futerescope Trilogy,” a three-part, mostly instrumental series, with songs full of explosive riffs and heavy guitar solos. The trilogy serves as the perfect finale to a great album.
Throughout Everything Will Be Alright in the End, Cuomo attempts to reclaim the band’s identity and redefine what they have to say to the world. It worked, too. The songs combine old-Weezer style guitar riffs with lyrically honest songs that many audiences can relate to. Everything Will Be Alright in the End is a strong record that will surely draw new audiences and gain Weezer respect from the music world.
