Weezer
Album: Weezer (Geffen)
In stores: Now
Why we care: Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is still flat-out bonkers, but I'm starting to detect a method to his madness. This is the power-pop crew’s third self-titled album (sixth disc overall), but you can just call it "the Red One." Much like "the Blue One" (with Buddy Holly) and “the Green One” (with Hash Pipe), Cuomo puts his slicker, catchier cuts on his color-coded work. In other words, this is definitely not Pinkerton II.
Why we like it: Cuomo now sports an unsightly ’stache from the Ron Jeremy collection, and he's still maniacally searching for the perfect pop "formula." But man, can Weird Boy write surly, power-chording confections about loving the loser within. There's also a Queen-ly rock epic containing the hooky scraps in Cuomo's addled brain.
Reminds us of: The strangely tender Heart Songs name-checks Cuomo’s fave acts: Quiet Riot, Debbie Gibson... Yep, things are starting to make sense.
Download this: Troublemaker (LISTEN) and Everybody Get Dangerous (LISTEN)
Grade: B+