I don't know how I have had this blog for so long and not had an extensive Weezer-related post. It seems in the inevitability category along the lines of the Ashton/Demi Moore marriage ending in divorce, or my NBA predictions bursting into flames like Fawkes the Phoenix (sigh).
Warning: This posts gets pretty long. I just have a lot to say about Weezer. Weezer is great.
Weezer is my favorite band. That is to say they WERE my favorite band. I don't listen to them as much as I did in the past, especially not some of the new material, but that's not to say they still aren't my favorite band...because they ARE... because of what they were, and because of what they've meant to me. (I've reread this paragraph about 5 times just now and understand it makes no sense, but upon the 6th reading it might... I stand by it)
Rivers Cuomo and I have a complex relationship despite never having met. It is so strange how people we never meet and who never intended intentionally to impact your life can have such a grip over your mood, your person, your ideals (see Childress, Brad). But, nonetheless I have identified with Rivers's thoughts, dreams, and fears as chronicled through song throughout the years. Blue Album and Pinkerton embodied his plight as a socially conscious neurotic young 20 something Harvard drop out. His outlook on life mirrored my own when I started getting into them during my awkward (whose aren't?)teen years. It made his music so relatable in that it wasn't just empty words and a catchy beat, but rather almost a narrative of his life. As he expressed his dismay over how he felt truly safe alone in his garage writing music, or how he was honestly just tired of sex, you in a strange way were able to pity his struggle and use it to relate to your own.
Chuck Klosterman had an interesting take on Rivers in his book "Eating the Dinosaur" in this same vein that resonated with me. His contention was essentially that Rivers' lyrics are the most literal of any band. He is not trying to have these lyrics be directly relatable to you like other bands (Springsteen comes to mind in terms of blatant pandering) but rather are void of true metaphor or imperonal presence. (I truly only could dissent on "Undone (the sweater song) in that the entire song is a metaphor, but still...his point is solid) Any ability for you to relate is thus not because of Rivers's conscious thought process of attempting to appeal to the masses.
This is most important is terms of how many fans, myself included, have felt increasingly detached to the more recent works of Weezer. I have for some time complained that Rivers is selling out with obnoxious songs like "Beverly Hills" and "Can't Stop Partying". What happened to my Rivers of old?? The answer: He got older. He had different inspirations. He has a family. He has a kid. He is becoming increasingly comfortable in his own skin, and embracing his rock star status.
He is actually doing the exact OPPOSITE of selling out because he is still producing songs that represent his inner most thoughts and feelings. Those ideals and contextualization of the world around him just aren't the same as they once were. We can't expect Rivers to attempt to connect to the Blue Album/Pinkerton fan base with new songs because to do so wouldn't be genuine and wouldn't be Weezer. You can see his increasing confidence throughout Green Album and Maladroit (Keep Fishin/Dope Nose/Don't Let Go/Photograph), with flagship songs decidedly more upbeat and carefree carrying into Red Album and Raditude.
I have seen Weezer
twice live and comparing the two performances in hindsight I realized just how black and white they were. I first saw them with PK at first ave when I was a sophomore in high school when they were touring for "Make Believe", which was about to come out in a month or so. It was such a strange band dynamic as Rivers sheepishly would introduce songs with Scott Shriner (bassist) getting revved up to his left, and during songs could be seen bouncing off the walls, and climbing on speakers, and Pat Wilson (drums) keepin' the beat with immense passion behind him. He had a bit of a smirk when many of the members of the audience would sing along with the songs that theoretically hadn't debuted yet, and all the while during the solo's (that usually mirrored the chorus, naturally) he would be strumming so calmly and meticulously, ensuring that he would not strike a note improperly.
twice live and comparing the two performances in hindsight I realized just how black and white they were. I first saw them with PK at first ave when I was a sophomore in high school when they were touring for "Make Believe", which was about to come out in a month or so. It was such a strange band dynamic as Rivers sheepishly would introduce songs with Scott Shriner (bassist) getting revved up to his left, and during songs could be seen bouncing off the walls, and climbing on speakers, and Pat Wilson (drums) keepin' the beat with immense passion behind him. He had a bit of a smirk when many of the members of the audience would sing along with the songs that theoretically hadn't debuted yet, and all the while during the solo's (that usually mirrored the chorus, naturally) he would be strumming so calmly and meticulously, ensuring that he would not strike a note improperly.I think this was the turning point album in terms of the aforementioned 20-something neuroticism (via the songs Perfect Situation and Peace most prominently) to the new-look Rivers, optimism is tow (via the songs We Are All on Drugs and Beverly Hills). The albums that we see after this one are much more plentiful with songs that could be best categorized with the latter.
The next show I saw with Log/Leah/Kelsey @ Xcel while promoting Red Album had showmanship abound, however. Rivers playfully used Weezer related props, like an old fashioned Weezer radio, and flaunted the bands matching jumpsuits around the stage. Some songs Rivers would play drums, and let Pat Wilson have the sing/lead guitar honors, (He allowed Brian Bell, Shriner and Wilson to all write a song on Red album, they are songs 7-9 on the album I believe, another thing the younger more power-hungry, less about band unity Rivers would not have done). When he soloed, he jammed, and we all jammed with him. He seemed so at peace with himself on stage as he interacted with the crowd, as opposed to almost ignoring them and attempting to pretend he was at a band rehersal.
It's basically taken me all this while to reach this conclusion (To paraphrase the great Denny Green) Rivers is who we thought he is! He is who we thought he is! Maybe Weezer doesn't frequent my "top 25 most played" list on my ipod as frequently as it used to. But that's ok. I will still like a faithful sheep purchase my "Hurley Extended Deluxe Edition" the day it comes out (like I did not long ago) and anything else Rivers throws my way. Because me and Rivers don't have to see eye to eye all the time, I can just savor and remember the times when we did.
It's more than me and David Kahn can say.
