SZNZ: Summer
Those of us following Weezer on their nerdy, cryptic journey will note that the opening of *Summer* is *not* a quote of Vivaldi’s Summer suite, but the second movement of his suite for Winter. Folly? Creative misdirection? Who knows. Where parts of *SZNZ: Spring* sounded like program music for Ren fairs, *Summer* fits more neatly with their house style: the triumphant self-doubt of “What’s the Good of Being Good,” the bookishness of “Records.” Then there’s “Blue Like Jazz,” which reminds you that summer isn’t just the season of iced tea and poolside sits, but wildfires and floods. And “Cuomoville,” which makes explicit what fans of the band have always known: Their music isn’t just a break from the world, it’s a little world unto itself.
The second entry in the band’s Vivaldi-inspired quartet of EPs gives a perfunctory nod to the concept before resuming Weezer-by-numbers.
Weezer have already made a perfect summer record: 1994's Blue Album, a radiant burst of pop-punk power chords, Beach Boys melodies, and lyri...
Even if you don’t believe them to be among Weezer’s best songs, they do convey that breezy alterna-rock feeling that fits perfectly with the year’s hottest months.