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Rating: Two years ago, "Everything Will Be Alright In The End" served as a reboot for Weezer's career, which had suffered a drastic slowdown after three albums ranging from disappointing to disastrous ("Raditude" most notably, a very heavy misstep, except for a couple of tracks).
From the single "Back To The Shack," a true declaration of intent, the operation was a happy success, and the seminal American trio regained artistic credibility and high charts in America. Now, however, the real test comes with this tenth studio album, named after the band for the fourth time and known as "White Album."
Weezer's choice is right and wise: surprisingly, producer Rick Ocasek is out, and they rely on Jack Sinclair, opting for a slight upgrade to the sound (re) proposed with the previous work, fully succeeding in the intent and producing another excellent record that repositions and definitively relaunches them.
If the beautiful opener "California Kids" (co-written with Semisonic's leader Dan Wilson) aggressively in full Weezer style and immediately convinces with a great rocky riff and a melody that instantly etches in your mind, the next "Wind In Our Sail" builds a pleasant melodic loop, enriched with well-placed piano inserts. An operation that doesn't succeed in "Jacked Up," which, with its autopilot pop and Rivers Cuomo's not exactly spot-on falsettos, turns out to be the only filler in an album that makes essentials and few frills its trademark.
The lead single "Thank God For Girls" returns, like in the golden days of "Beverly Hills," to flirt with hip hop, but this time with balance and without the disastrous effects seen in the ill-fated "Raditude." "(Girl We Got A) Good Thing" is a carefree and nerdy power pop in full Cuomo-style and can't help but bring a satisfied smile, the second single "Do You Wanna Get High?" and especially "L. A. Girlz" exult by turning the clock back to the full "Blue Album" era. "Summer Elaine And Drunk Dori" is another power pop gem that is appreciated, while "Endless Bummer" closes grandly with a beautifully nostalgic start and a final dominated by an inspired guitar solo. Not to forget the splendid "King Of The World," which surprisingly approaches the more pop side of the Smashing Pumpkins.
A truly remarkable work, this "White Album," which definitively relaunches Weezer and raises curiosity about what path this band, having reached their tenth album and an average member age close to fifty, will take from now on as they enter the history of American alternative rock in great shape.
Best track: "L. A. Girlz"
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