Pacific Daydream
Across 11 albums, Weezer’s steady exploration of sounds and ideas has been anchored to their enduring commitment to indelible pop tunes. That approach stands firm on a set of virally catchy songs that begins with the crunchy, metallic riffs of “Mexican Fender,” and ends on the hearty strumming and upbeat harmonies of “Any Friend of Diane’s”. In between, Rivers Cuomo’s sighing meditations on love, loss, and The Beach Boys are dressed in rich fusions of rock, 21st-century R&B, and baroque pop, while the album’s greatest, grandest moment, “Sweet Mary,” is a gorgeous invocation of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound.
On their 11th album, Rivers Cuomo and co. aim for a hook-filled tribute to California guitar pop but the production gloss suffocates any personality these songs could have had.
Julien Baker’s crushingly intimate songs get more breathing room on Turn Out The Lights, Weezer feels caught in an endless summer, and John Maus’ hypnotic Screen Memories is either genius or a joke. These plus Ty Dolla Sign in the week’s notable releases.
In their heyday, Weezer managed to distill the spirit of adolescence, and 11th album ‘Pacific Daydream’ sees them achieving the same feat.
Listening to album like this in the throes of autumn feels like you are indeed looking upon days that have since passed.
Our critics give their verdict on the biggest releases from the last seven days
"Mexican Fender" opens Pacific Daydream with big, crunching arena rock guitars, but that's the only throwback thing about the album.
"It's a hip-hop world, and we're the furniture," sings Weezer leader Rivers Cuomo on "Beach Boys"; it's one of many ham-fisted lines on Paci...
Weezer - Pacific Daydream review: Weezer return to where they've always been.