Weezer – California Kids
It seems Rivers Cuomo was so deeply affected by the criticism and commercial disappointment that befell Pinkerton, that he retreated from ever writing like that again. In interviews since, he’s detailed his remarkably mechanical songwriting process. He speaks of spreadsheets, formulas, overheard snippets of conversation as lyrics. He explains how he deconstructs what he loves about artists like The Beach Boys and applies the findings to Weezer. He does pretty much everything but really put himself in there (at least not obviously so), like he did in the ’90s. His lyrics are still clever, witty and characteristically knowing, but aside from some standout singles, for almost a decade, much of what Weezer put out was felt like a different band. To me, it seemed as if Rivers Cuomo had personally set about breaking my heart for 10 years; he just didn’t know it or mean to. Considering that period lasted longer than the one much of their cult following is based on, there’s a case to be made about that being the real Weezer, and that earlier stuff being the outlier.
I don’t really believe that though. Deep down I think – or at least hope – that Rivers Cuomo is still capable of writing a no frills, from the heart record again, some day. That doesn’t mean I want one that sounds like Pinkerton. It just means I want it to sound like it’s more than just sounds that sit well together, with lyrics that tap into that story I and so many others bought into all those years ago.
There were hints of the mask dropping a little on 2014 opus Everything Will Be Alright In The End. It’s the closest to opening up and being honest he’d sounded in a while. Or maybe he was just playing at being self-aware. You never really know, as anyone who checks his social media output will attest. By contrast, last year’s ‘White’ felt nothing like that and yet it’s arguably the band’s third best record. Go figure.
Maybe because ‘White’ felt like a peak and perfection of that certain type of Weezer album, Pacific Daydream had to be so different. Maybe this album marks the start of a whole new era for the band. Only time will tell. All I know is that I’ve stopped taking the Weezer albums I don’t love so personally. I’ve got to a point where they can do whatever they want and I’ll still think of the band fondly. I think I might even still love them, and probably always will, despite the flame flickering a lot more than it did 20-something years ago.
So Saturday night is going to be special. They can play whatever they want and I, alongside 12,500 or so others, will probably enjoy every single second of it.
Because it’s true what they say: you never quite get over your first love…
Words by David McLaughlin. Follow David on Twitter @glockeaux