We have got to talk about the new Weezer album.
Descending from the heavens of Rivers Cuomo’s boundless imagination—on National Compliment Day, no less—the most polarizing band in “indie” rock has dropped Weezer (The Teal Album).
Teal Album is Weezer’s “Africa” cover times 10. As in ten full-on cover songs ranging from the TLC-approved version of “No Scrubs” to Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” to ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky.” Listen to it here.
Cuomo and company even had the gleeful audacity to slide on the sequined glove for a run at Chris Cornell’s favorite Michael Jackson song, “Billie Jean.” This is the record that will prove whether or not Matt Damon a.k.a. “Todd” from the instantly classic SNL Weezer skit is truly “ride or die.”
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Is Weezer (The Teal Album) any good? The answer to that question lies in your own conception of Weezer the band. Does the thought of their Toto cover make you smile, or slowly clench your fists while you feel the blood rise in your face? There’s your answer.
Hearing Weezer happily bash their way through “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears for Fears) and “Take On Me” (a-ha) certainly isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind. Throw it on at a drunken house party with people of a certain age, however, and it’s sure to get a reaction. Same goes for a Silver Lake or Williamsburg coffee shop. The possibilities are endless.
There was something heartwarming about seeing a grinning Rivers Cuomo lead Weezer through “Africa” on the most recent Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in between performances from the likes of Halsey, Post Malone and Camila Cabello. It’s all just one big rock and roll fantasy, beyond irony and “cool” and skewed media perceptions. Nice work if you can get it.
