Weezer played on Letterman over the weekend and proved that there might still be a flickering ember underneath the ruins of their once great band.
Yeah I'm one of those people that thinks the band turned to shit after near flawlessness of
The Blue Album and
Pinkerton. Yes, because of the greatness of those two records I keep a candle for the group despite all their ensuing awful albums, ideas, lineup changes and album covers. Yes, tracks like their new single '(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To' are the weak reasons why.
Because the first single of their so-bad-it's-great titled forthcoming album
Raditude takes me back. To a time when Rivers Cuomo was a nerd by default and not design. When Brian Bell seemed to ham it up rather than cringe. When butterflies ruled the earth. Because basically, this sounds like it could've been pulled from
The Blue Album and I'm living in the past.
This performance on Letterman also provides an insight into the new format Weezer. Rivers has ditched the guitar and drummer Pat Wilson has taken his place. Huh? The dude who's replaced Pat - studio drummer extraordinaire Josh Freese - explains on his
site from a few months back:
"...I got a call from Weezer about playing some shows. Seems that Rivers doesn't want to sing AND play guitar anymore. So instead of them adding a guitarist, Pat (who shreds on the guitar) decided to step out from behind the drums and channel his inner Jimmy Page. So, no one got booted out of the band and the Weezers are all fine and good. I'm just helping out as "the drummer" for a bit. We did the KROQ Weenie Roast show here in So Cal and just got home from doing 2 big festivals (one in Korea and one in Japan). During this time I also recorded 4 songs with them for their upcoming record and we're getting ready to leave on a month long North American tour in late August and will take us up through mid September."
Now I don't want to get too fanboy but Cuomo's voice sounds fantastic. Plus, any performance that involves the in-house brass band rules in the cheesiest way possible. (This Killer's performance
a perfect example). If only to see Paul Schaffer's scone bobbing around.
Weezer - '(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To' live on Letterman
Raditude is out now. Rad.