MALADROIT
Weezer
(Geffen/Universal)
Last Heard From: On their self-titled comeback disc (aka The Green Album), which was released exactly a year ago this week.
What You Get: More of the same -- and then some. The half-hour long Maladroit contains 13 short, sharp bubble-crunch shots from ironic popsmith Rivers Cuomo. For those who like a little V to go with their A, it also has about 10 minutes of concert, studio and backstage video footage playable on your computer.
Does it Rock? Like a candycane. Tracks like American Gigolo and the single Dope Nose pack all the distortion-pedal melodicism, geek-rock romanticism and arena-rock backbeats needed to cement Weezer's rep as the Cheap Trick of the new millennium.
The Dark Side: Cuomo's smartly crafted, hook-laden songs may be as enjoyable and refreshing as a sugar buzz, but they also tend to stay with you about that long.
It's Worth: Paying full price -- even though you know you'll be sick of hearing it by fall.
Track Listing
1. American Gigolo
2. Dope Nose
3. Keep Fishin'
4. Take Control
5. Death And Destruction
6. Slob
7. Burndt Jamb
8. Space Rock
9. Slave
10. Fall Together
11. Possibilities
12. Love Explosion
13. December