Weezer (Red Album)

With a lead single of "Pork and Beans", it was clear to me from the start that Red Album had some major potential. After listening to it, I was truly satisfied with how well it delivered and think it is an album worth having for both the die-hard Weezer fan and those listening to the band for the first time. The first track, "Troublemaker", is a great upbeat way to start the album and is very catchy. Next, you are lead into "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived". This song is pretty epic and has some tremendous harmonies. In addition, it has some good guitar work in both acoustic and electric (reminiscent of some earlier Weezer songs) styles. "Pork and Beans" is up next and is a phenomenal single that is instantly recognizable to a Weezer fan and seems to return to their older style of guitar. After a rather up-beat start to the album comes the slower-tempo "Heart Songs". It's a nice slower/acoustic song with good vocals and fun lyrics. Following this change in pace, is "Everybody Get Dangerous", a song with funny lyrics and simple, yet good-sounding distorted guitar work. The next song, "Dreamin'" is definitely one of my favorites on the album. The basic melody, sweet lyrics, and change in tempo make it a very catchy/fun song. Brian (the rhythm guitarist) sings the next song, "Thought I Knew". This one takes awhile to get used to, but after listening to it a few times, I feel it fits pretty well on the album after all; it's also nice to hear someone else sing from time to time (although Rivers is a great singer). "Cold Dark World" has a memorable chorus and is another slower, yet solid all-around song. "Automatic", the next song, is probably my favorite on the album. Pat really nails the vocals and it's a really cohesive track with a strong/catchy melody. The album ends with "The Angel and the One", yet again another slower song. It has great lyrics and kind of sounds like "Only In Dreams" at the end of it. Overall, the album is very easy to listen to as it has many changes in tempo and is full of very catchy songs. Even if you were turned away by Make Believe (which for the record is not a bad album), you should give Red Albuma chance as it is quite different and may remind you of some of Weezer's earlier work.