Partially true to their rock roots and partially a departure from them, Weezer’s 2014 comeback album has something for old and new fans.
Partially true to their rock roots and partially a departure from them, Weezer’s 2014 comeback album has something for old and new fans.
Best known for their colorful self-titled projects, California-based alternative rock band Weezer changed pace with their ninth studio album “Everything Will Be Alright In The End,” a reflection and apology filled with references to past Weezer fumbles for dedicated fans and an invitation to new fans.
A band characterized by harsh electric guitar, bright vocals and memorable melodies, the 2014 album is a complimentary addition to their legacy, adding a cleaner and more defined sound to their repertoire.
The message was well received by both critics and fans, lauded in its time as a comeback for Weezer and a step back into their role in the rock realm.
The powerful introduction to the album, “Ain’t Got Nobody,” settles longtime listeners into a cleaner version of Weezer. It begins with a chaotic static sound that leads to a child saying, “I had another nightmare.” A sweet reply resounds, a warm voice saying, “Go back to sleep honey / Everything will be alright in the end.” Then, a harsh chord shocks the listener into the power-pop tune.
The next track, “Back to the Shack” — the most popular song off the album — is riddled with references to Weezer “rockin’ out like it’s ‘94.”
“Back to the Shack” is simultaneously an apology and a promise to Weezer fans as they atone for the past sonic betrayals of dance-pop rock album “Raditude” and soulless “Make Believe” and vow to make a return to their honest sound from “Weezer (Blue Album)” and “Pinkerton.” Despite these complexities, the track stands the test of a decade and then some.
Fourth track “Lonely Girl” is catchy but lacks real depth. Speaking of feeling lonely, hurt and scared, the only real solution provided to these woes is issued by a whiny Rivers Cuomo and comes from the object of his affection, his “lonely girl.”
Combining the feel of their self-titled record “Weezer (Blue Album)” with the raw songwriting of “Pinkerton” results in a dilution of emotionality within the track “Lonely Girl.”
The album shifts fully from apology to promise with sixth song “The British Are Coming,” an oddly patriotic track harkening back to the time of Paul Revere and the American Revolution. It strikes a balance between the iconic sound of “Blue Album” and the honesty of “Pinkerton.”
The final three songs on the album are easily the most interesting. Dubbed “The Futurescope Trilogy,” the tracks are rhythmically intriguing and contribute to the album’s versatility.
With stand-out tracks that blend iconic eras in the band’s history, “Everything Will Be Alright In The End” set up a perfect comeback for Weezer. Their subsequent releases destroyed that, the band soon failing to follow through on the promise sealed by the album.
Their second self-titled album from 2016, “Weezer (White Album),” kept their sonic promise with strong guitar riffs, but they lost the plot a year later with 2017’s synth-heavy “Pacific Daydream.” This trend of disappointing albums continued with 2019’s “Weezer (Teal Album)” and “Weezer (Black Album), 2021’s “Van Weezer” and the tolerable “OK Human.”
The only thing saving the band from complete alienation from their fanbase is the meme-ability of “Weezer (Blue Album)” and their surreal live performances.
Despite broken promises following “Everything Will Be Alright In The End,” the album is a worthwhile listen that can surprise and soothe the most alienated Weezer fan and attract new fans.
“Everything Will Be Alright In The End” is available to stream on all platforms.
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