Everything Will Be Alright in the End Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Two songs into Everything Will Be Alright in the End, Rivers Cuomo sings "we belong in the rock world," a repudiation of the big beat experimentation of Raditude, a 2009 record that found Weezer working with such pop producers as Dr. Luke and Butch Walker. Weezer fans eager for Pinkerton, Pt. 2 are often quick to bristle at Cuomo's experimentations, so when the guitarist sings that they're "rockin' out like it's '94," he's not only not lying -- they went so far as to once again hire Ric Ocasek, the producer of the group's debut, to helm this ninth studio album -- but he's reassuring his audience that he's left all those pounding dance beats behind. The weird thing is, Weezer already shook off the ghost of Raditude via 2010's quickly released indie Hurley, so the emphasis on the group returning to rock feels a little odd, but Everything Will Be Alright in the End does trump its immediate predecessor by being bigger, bolder, slicker, and stickier than Hurley. Some of this is indeed due to the presence of Ocasek. His exacting production, anchored as much in pummeling arena rock as new wave pop, polishes and preserves Cuomo's quirks, but it's also true that Rivers has decided to indulge in his eccentricities once again. Take away the woolly mammoth-sized guitars and "Back to the Shack," with its overt references to "In the Garage," and Everything Will Be Alright in the End doesn't feel especially like early Weezer, not with the dexterous syncopation of "I've Had It Up to Here" providing a midpoint palate-cleanser and a neo-prog rock suite concluding the proceedings. By having the record follow these twisty detours, Cuomo provides a counterpoint to the classicist pop Weezer pursue elsewhere, but even such succinct, sculpted pop as "The British Are Coming," "Ain't Got Nobody," "Cleopatra," and "Go Away" (the latter a duet with Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino) never feels like a desperate scramble back home. Rather, a feeling of acceptance underpins Everything Will Be Alright in the End: there's a sense that Weezer made another record of massive, hooky rock not only because that's what the fans want but because they know it's what they do best.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/comics-in-motion-podcast/messageBanned Books Week! Day 1: All Boys Aren't Blue By George M. Johnson
Star Wars: Ahsoka Part 7 Dreams And Madness: Is This Show’s Sole Purpose To Bring Thrawn Back? Plus Action Scenes Interrupting Dialogue, Baylan Is Amazing & Ezra’s Interesting Return, With Angry A
Indie Comic Spotlight: Let Me Out featuring Emmett Nahil
Classic Comics- Episode 36- (The Original) Daredevil Battles Hitler- “Man of Hate”
SWCIC: Path Of Vengeance By Cavan Scott – Book Review & Plot Summary: Marchion Ro’s Ancestors Marda & Yana, The Night Of Sorrow, The Mother & The Path Of The Open Hand - High Republic Phase 2, Wav
Indie Comics Spotlight: Death Crazed Teenage Superheroes
Ahsoka Part 6 Far Far Away: What Is The Point Of These Characters & Where Is The Show Going? Plus A Lacklustre Reunion & More, With Ben Of Star Wars Timeline & Mike
SWCIC: Edge Of Balance: Precedent - Wookiee Jedi Arkoff’s Younger Years, Azlin Rell’s Breakdown, The Night Of Sorrow, Harch Species & More! (Edge Of Balance Manga Prequel) Phase 2, Wave 2 – Ep 1
Ahsoka Part 5 Shadow Warrior: A Deep Dive Into Anakin & The World Between Worlds! Plus Jacen Syndulla, Huyang, The New Republic & More! With Thomas Rochester & Mike
Indie Comics Spotlight: A chat (albeit with some minor technical glitches and booze) with Kyle Stück
SWCIC: Is Sav Malagán A Padawan Or Pirate? Plus The Battle Of Jedha, Betrayal And Therm Scissorhands! (High Republic Adventures [2022] Volume 2: #5-8) Phase 2, Wave 2 – Ep 136
Ahsoka Part 4, Fallen Jedi: Is Sabine’s Character Consistent? Plus Baylan’s Fighting Style, The World Between Worlds, That Cameo, Easter Eggs & More! With Brett Scott & Mike
Indie Comics Spotlight: Lights featuring Brenna Thummler
Bonus Star Wars Book Review: Thrawn & Thrawn Alliances By Timothy Zahn
Seasons Greetings: Deadwood Season 1
Ahsoka Part 3 Discussion: What Is Hera's Role And Should Starkiller Be Made Canon? The Eye Of Sion, Purrgil, Jacen Syndulla, Mandalorian Jedi, Star Wars Resistance, Easter Eggs & More! With Maff
TV & Movie Reviews: Doctor Mordrid (1992)
Ahsoka Parts 1 & 2 Discussion: Do The Animated Characters Work In Live-Action? Plus The Blood Orange Bunch, Droids, Rebels, The Dark Side, Easter Eggs & More! With Dave & Mike
Star Wars Rebels/Ahsoka Prelude Special: Predictions, Trailer Notes, What We Want, Wrapping Up Rebels, Ahsoka’s Introduction In Clone Wars & More! Plus, Megan!
SWCIC: After the Battle Of Jedha, Vildar Mac, Matty & Tey Fight The Path And Face-Off Against The Leveler! (High Republic [2022] Vol 2: Battle For The Force #6-10) – Ep 135
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Back Of The Grid | F1 Podcast
Theme Park Films Podcast
The Football Foundry
A Tale of Two Cities
Just So Stories
The Hoopers Podcast
Betamax Video Club