Weezer – Hurley – CD Review
Weezer
Hurley
Epitaph Records
9/10
The first track off this record is without a doubt one of the strongest starting tracks of a record I have heard. “Memories” leads Hurley into a succession of solid songs. It has that classic Weezer sound that we know and love, yet this one goes beyond that. There is another layer that is more melodic and before I knew it I was singing along, even before I was one hundred percent sure of the words.
I’m not gonna say this record is perfect, cuz it’s not. It has its weaknesses heading into “Where’s My Sex?” & “Run Away,” the fifth and sixth tracks . I worried they had shot their load too soon but I was wrong. “Hang On” kicked in and I knew that they had definitely done it right.
It mixes cheeky humour with poetic lyrics which helps make this record the best Weezer has made to date. It is the kind of record that will knock sceptical Weezer fans off their fence.
It sure as hell blew my pants off.
-Lisa Thompson
Horrible review.
Care to be more specific, Tim?
Well, first of all, I’m pretty sure no professional critic uses the words “shot their load” in an actual review. It almost has proper grammar. “It has that classic Weezer sounds that we all know and love, yet this one goes beyond that” – I have no idea what that means. I understand that it is a positive review but other than that I don’t know what it’s trying to convey – It just sounds like 15 year old that’s really excited about a new Weezer album. Check out Alternative Press’s review of it; it actually gave me real insight of the record.
Nice try, though.
I’m excited to hear this new album, given that it sounds more like the traditional Weezer we were introduced to in 1994. I hope this album leads up to the hype.
But even though this doesn’t have anything to do with the music itself, I was a little disappointed that this review didn’t give it’s obvious shout-out to the Album cover and name influenced (Hurley, the lovable dude from LOST). As Hurley would say, “Dude, not cool”.
Even though I am not a ‘Lost’ girl I should have given a shout out to the album cover. My Bad! …
x
No professional critic should call an ALBUM a “record,” especially when it’s misused so needlessly. Cut the fake ass hipsterisms out. This so-called review sounds like you’re trying too hard yet not hard enough because there’s no substance.
Well Tim, I looked at the review in which you thought so highly of. It’s obvious that you didn’t know our history with Scott Heisel, the author of the novel of which you heap praise. Here’s an idea of Tom Gabel, vocalist of Against Me! thinks of Mr. Heisel: http://racketmag.com/interviews/against-me-interview-3/
Now mind you, I have no personal issue with Scott, but the man can go on forever.
Jes – Lost sucked. However, EVERYONE knows that the album’s cover is a nod to Tubby McGillicudy on Lost. That said, thanks for checking out our review!
Michael – You’re a presumptuous little twat, aren’t you? Fun fact: We’re NOT professional critics. We are simply a collection of people who love to talk about music…and who fully believe that our taste in music is the shit. I do admit, however, that you are right. There is a difference between “record” and “album,” but there is also a difference between a comment that burns our ass, and one that sounds like a flustered third grader is backed into a corner. Any “hipsterism” we may have is the genuine article, my boy.
-The Emperor
I’m laughing my ass off at the “no professional critic uses the words “shot their load” in an actual review.” That’s classic. If you want professional go look at Spin or some shit. I’m sketchy on Weezer these days but the fact that they’re gonna do a blue album/pinkerton tour gives me faith. I’m gonna check it out for sure!
I am not a musician – I’m a music fan. So, if I was looking for a review that would have me snoring into my morning coffee with specs on the guitars, amps, or nitpicks on vocal transitions, I would read elsewhere. But what I was looking for was HERE in Racket: a fellow fan’s quick and lively opinion on whether I should spend a moment scanning itunes to purchase a new album (or record, or compilation, or grouping of howlings from a remote garage). Thanks!
I agree with Nina, I don’t think Lisa meant for this to be a full on detailed analysis of an album that hasn’t even been released yet. I think this review was fine and informative.
Lisa, no harm no fowl. I just love how the title and cover of this album is based on Rivers Cuomo’s love of LOST and his experience from meeting Jorge Garcia (Hurley). In case you didn’t know this picture was cropped from a picture of them together.
Yost, trust me, not EVERYBODY knows this. I just thought it was worth mentioning. And LOST does not suck, it’ just misunderstood, obviously. BTW, I always read your mag’s reviews. Keep up the good work!
I didnt realise I had said ‘Record’ so much. Shoot me, I’m British… ;o) Clearly something has been lost in Translation. *kiss kiss*
Great Review! The general score is high but not perfect because of “Where’s My Sex.” I can’t wait to hear “Hang On!”
Hahahaha. Well, the review was helpful for me. Don’t listen to Tim. Ever since the Harvard Crimson denied his services, he’s been two drinks away from wiping his ass with his own birth certificate. When he buys the album next week, he might accidentally swipe his social security card during payment.
The Emperor,
How does Tom Gabel’s opinion have any bearing on whether Scott Heisel’s review was well written or not? I mean this review isnt the worst but the other one is considerably more in depth and descriptive. I mean come on did you read the other review? This one reads like it was written in 3 minutes.
Whine whine whine.
When’s the Sawyer album coming out?
Scott Heisel’s review was well written, as an essay. As a review, I thought it long and tedious to read. During my time in college (I do, in fact, have a degree in music), I had written plenty of papers delving into the harmonies, rhythmic nuances, instrumentation and other aspects of a composition, but who cares? A Racket review is meant to tell you if it’s worth your time and money, not to give you a break down of each song’s tempo, key and scale. Sometimes we do, but that’s just a treat.
As to Tom Gabel’s opinion of Heisel, it doesn’t have any bearing, I just thought it was funny.
Hmm the “best” Weezer album to date? I understand that is purely a matter of opinion but seriously? Over Blue and Pinkerton?
I’ll admit, I enjoyed it (thanks to leaks), but it really wasn’t that great. It seems like they’re still trying too hard. I liked songs like Unspoken, Hang On, and Time Flies, but this is not at all a return to form. Their old stuff was gritty and simple. Now it seems that Rivers is focusing too hard on making a catchy chorus and beat so you can sing along. He needs to stop holding his notes, it gets on my nerves. Overall though, it’s a step in the right direction after the abysmal “Raditude”.
Hmm, I do agree to some extent. It is DEFINITELY a step in the right direction after ‘Raditude’ absolutely. It is totally a matter of opinion, but I think I prefer it to ‘Pinkerton’, ‘Blue’ on the other hand is my favourite album, but I hold it up at a parr regardless of the fact Hurley isnt ‘gritty and simple’ as you put it. I like it because it isn’t, yet you can still feel that it is Weezer. I think maybe I can just hear the fact that they want to try new things, and be more creative and move forward, but not step too far away from what we all love and what they love.
*ponder*
I Still think I like it the most. It could be because I have changed since Blue and Pinkerton, and this is just what I want to hear.
Hey Michael… This record is indeed pressed on vinyl which makes it a Record. Even though album also originates from the world of, oh yeah.. records. It’s all f’n terminology people! “Professional” record review panels don’t know jack except uneducated ass kissing. Move along to your favorite, over-funded, out-of-touch sources that you know and love.
I agree and want to point out to everybody that this is there 1t independent label release, by the band choosing.. Always a good step. And a good one for Epitaph Records may I add. New Bad Religion in a couple week. A;ready pre-ordered my copy of the.. RECORD! :)
YES!! In my experience Epitaph Records have Awesome AWESOME folk. I am excited for the new Bad Religion. This year has been a hell of a year for good albums I can tell you!
How can anyone not like “Where’s My Sex?” It’s a play on words. Rivers’s daughter asked him where her socks are, but she mispronounced the word. So if you listen to the song with that in mind, the lyrics become hilarious. Sex = socks, nothing more, nothing less. In the “caveman days” lyrics, the cavement figure out how to make clothes. Not how to have sex… that’s obviously figured out for eons!
One of their best albums to date, probably my favorite, tied with Blue (depends on my mood).
I agree that Lisa’s review is a little vague, kinda short, and a hell of a lot more time could’ve been spent writing it—I like good, solid reviews. But it’s not the worst review I’ve read.
Only thing that I disagree about in this review is that “Run Away” was a low point. I love that song.
hahahaha
this is terrible
The best record Weezer has made to date?! How can anyone possibly think this? The lyrics are all cheesy and there is nothing interesting going on with the music. It is maybe a small step up from their last piece of shit they released.
Memories, the first track on this record, is undoubtedly one of the worst beginnings to an album I have ever heard. The chorus is a horrific schoolyard dirge. It’s what vomits out of your PC when you mathematically compress Abba’s Fernando with the right software.