Weezer’s album title makes a pretty hefty promise. Considering their last six albums ranked from mediocre (“green” album) to downright offensive (everything after Maladroit) I was at one point on board to back that Seattle guy offering the band $10 million to break up. But lo and behold Weezer have finally returned with the album fans have been waiting 18 years for.
Everything Will Be Alright in the End is the product of some long-overdue self-awareness by Rivers Cuomo. Why did it take him so long to acknowledge he’s been a total dick to his fans? Fortunately Cuomo has given up the shtick of trying to write novelty hits in exchange for the more introspective lyrics and simple fuzz-driven power pop that made Weezer’s debut so endearing.
That isn’t to say it’s as good as the first two albums but Everything should easily go down in the annals as Weezer’s third best. Along with the vulnerable rocker “Ain’t Got Nobody” and the “blue” album-like “Lonely Girl” there are still a couple of lapses in judgment. The awkward count and metallic breakdown in “Cleopatra” and the kitschy wordplay in “Back to the Shack” could’ve easily been edited to work. The latter is at least rescued by its monstrous chorus and apologetic message.
Everything Will Be Alright in the End is the album that deserves to be filed next to Pinkerton in your collection. The only question is are you too jaded at this point to trust Weezer? I understand if you are but trust me you should really give them this one last chance.
