Hurley

Produced by Shawn Everett, Hurley's production style is more fitting than the band's last few efforts, even if it's not quite a return to the indie-friendly sound of their first two records. The songs, eight of which were co-written with people outside the band, instantly seem like - at least as far as subject matter and attitude goes - a blatant attempt to return to those glorious years in the 1990s. The problem with that approach is that these are now fully grown men who, let's face it, seem like fools singing songs for seventh graders. The two best songs on the record, "Run Away" and "Time Flies," co-written by Ryan Adams and Mac Davis, respectively, are the only two songs here that don't sound exactly like Weezer. They're the two most interesting of the 10 we get, if that tells you anything.

Opener "Memories" has the same ironic, party-obsessed vibe of an Andrew W.K. song. The hook is big and stupid and radio-friendly. I wouldn't be surprised if this song, which features some of the Jackass crew on backing vocals (no joke), is Weezer's biggest hit since "Beverly Hills." Is this a good song? Well, I'd rather listen to a pop song like "Memories" than, say, that new Katy Perry record I teased myself with. But would I rather listen to it than, say, anything else currently on my iPod? Nope.

"Hang On," another huge pop production (maybe their biggest sounding song ever), features actor Michael "Scott Pilgrim" Cera on hurdy gurdy, mandolin and backing vocals. Cool move, guys; way to get your cred back up. The lyrics, co-written by a cheesy 50-year-old hit-maker named Rick Nowells, are as simple as any lovesick song ever written, feeling like a not-at-all tortured version of Pinkerton-era Rivers Cuomo. Again, like most everything on Hurley, I can tease about the bad lyrics and obviousness of it all, but I can't call this a bad song. Looking at Hurley from the perspective of a pop music fan, I've come to the realization that this is better music for young people than what most young people are actually listening to (Lil' Wayne, Justin Bieber, etc.). The problem is that I don't want to look at Weezer through my pop critic lens; I want to compare them to great bands, like I used to.

Im summary, no, Hurley is not the album I'd hoped the band who made two of my favorite Young Man Records would come up with once given indie label freedom. Following 2001's overlooked Green Album, Weezer (Cuomo, mostly) lost their way. There have been ups and downs ever since. And while I don't think Hurley is a great album, I do prefer it to Raditude, Maladroit and even the Red Album (which was another attempt to return to the "old Weezer sound"). I'm too old to be charmed by a song like "Where's My Sex" or "Smart Girls," but do find plenty to like about four or five of the less obvious tracks included on this wannabe power-pop opus. Someday, I'd bet, Rivers Cuomo will find a way to be interesting again. Until then, he's an actor, playing the same role he played 16 years ago, back when his fans were all young and easily impressed.   3.5/10

Written by G. William Locke