In the event that you missed the hype last week, MTV broke the news that Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates have been toying with the idea of a tour that will feature the band playing two back-to-back nights in each city, one night featuring =w= playing their hit-laden Blue album while the other night would be a Pinkerton affair.

As of now nothing is set in stone, as the band are still working on promotion for their forthcoming album, Hurley–but a Pinkerton/Weezer (Blue) tour would be a great chance for everyone who jumped the Weezer ship back in the late ’90s to re-stake their claims as fans. And to also hear “Pink Triangle” live, which would be rad(itude).

Cuomo has encouraged fans to contact their local promoters to help set the tour in motion.

[Ed. note: THIS IS GOOD FUCKING NEWS!]

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For more information on Weezer, visit weezer.com.

»Album Reviews For Release Date: 11.03.09
by Joshua Krage, with Glee review by Sereyna Avila

I love it when a plan comes together, especially when it’s a plan that usually fails. Side projects, holiday albums, new LPs from long-running bands — these are a few of my most-dreaded things, but this week finds these things coming up aces one after another. There’s even a musical score that doesn’t make me gag with pretentiousness and over-singing! Don’t just take my word for it, read on:

ABBA – live in Japan DVD
The Almost
Amerie
Bee Gees
Andrea Bocelli Christmas

Julian Casablancas, Phrazes For the Young — Much of the material on this first solo outing from the voice of The Strokes (*swoon*…) shouldn’t surprise any fans who have been paying attention since their second album. There’s some neon dance beats and some electro rhythms, generally more divergent sounds than their early lo-fi garage revival. However, Casablancas’ lyrics here are some of his best yet, and about halfway through this 8-song LP, he starts changing it up with a softer, more colorful musical side and some really experimental textures. The only thing that grated on me were the vocals. He would’ve sounded much better if he’d ditched the trademark flat, dry, and doubled vocal track for something that matched the lush, three-dimensional atmosphere he has constructed here. It’s only a small detraction, though, and beyond that, the album is probably my favorite of all the Strokes side projects I’ve heard (which is saying something, since Albert Hammond Jr.’s first album was one of my favorites of ’06/’07).

CFCF
Steven Curtis Chapman

Cold Cave, Love Comes Close — I’m almost positive this is the band Ian Curtis would have formed if he started making music in the middle 2000s, and Joy Division has its shadow all over these keyboard-born electronic indie grooves. Features Xiu Xiu expatriate Caralee McElroy, whose interplay with doom-baritone Wes Eisold reminds me of some of Canadian band Stars’ more electronic moments.

Kate Earl, Kate Earl — Her debut, Fate is the Hunter, was probably my favorite music during all of 2005, but being on a tiny label and having little exposure in the overcrowded Los Angeles landscape (in conjunction with some personal issues) quickly stalled what little momentum her early work had achieved. This sophomore album relaunch has some bold additions, for both better and worse. In the plus category, she’s now signed to Universal Republic Records, who gave her some major label push with a few industry showcases, a free iTunes single of the week, and now a huge opening tour slot for label mates Maroon 5 (coming soon to a town near you!), so exposure shouldn’t be a problem this time around. On the minus side, however, the sound she’s sporting now has pretty much lost all of her first album’s intimacy and charm, replacing it with big-beat studio sheen, which plays against her strength as a highly personal singer-songwriter whose voice is vulnerable and soulful, not bright and punchy like this by-the-numbers, sugar-filled mainstream production. I know that Lauryn Hill was a big influence on her writing process on this album, and some of that comes through pretty well (especially on decent single “Melody,” which sounds much better if you can catch her singing it with only her piano backing her up). Bottom line is that I still love this artist, and her voice sounds absolutely wonderful here, but this music is really not that good, and she would’ve done better to pursue (or preserve) a style which suited her voice better. I hope she learns this and comes back strong next time around…

John Fogerty
Foo Fighters – Greatest Hits, with a couple new (and kind of enh) tracks for good measure
Gift of Gab

Glee Cast, Glee: The Music, Vol. 1 — The fresh-faced kids of the Glee cast get a shot at stardom with the release of the original television soundtrack. The record features covers of popular songs that span decades, genres, emotions, you name it. While it was their version of “Don’t Stop Believing” that first attracted attention, there are several tracks on the Glee soundtrack that deserve a listen apart from their context within the show — the boisterous “Bust Your Windows” and the silky smooth “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” are early standouts. While the production on some tracks is a little unrealistic for a “glee club” performance, little gems like “Somebody To Love” and an especially charming rendition of “Dancing With Myself” keep the listener singing along … maybe adding a box step or two. For anyone that ever harbored dreams under the big lights, a stirring performance of “Maybe This Time” featuring Broadway royalty Kristin Chenoweth is a most welcome addition. Maybe this record won’t change your life with its complexity and deep philosophical meaning, but it will make it a little more… well, gleeful.

Mike Gordon
Guided By Voices
Halford
Taylor Hollingsworth
Joy Electric

The King Khan & BBQ Show, Invisible Girl — King Khan’s work with The Shrines was some of the best, rawest retro throwback to ’60s horn-adorned adreno-psychedelia I’ve ever heard. On this album (or “show”, rather) with BBQ, the psychedelic is still here, and the ’60s are firmly in place. Really the only things that have changed are less horns and more updated production. Still crude as ever, but you won’t find a better, sweatier, kitschier dance party.

Ryan Leslie

Little Dragon, Machine Dreams — Surprisingly lush and atmospheric second album from the Swedish equivalent of Cibo Matto or Asobi Seksu, taking deft electro rhythms and synth layers onto the indie dance floor. Less soul and hip hop leanings this time around (for better or worse, depending on what you liked about their debut), but just the same this intelligent music will get you moving, and singer Yukimi Nagano’s soft, reverb-laden lilt covers the tracks with pristine poise.

Malachi

The Mary Onettes, Islands — New new wave out of Sweden with soaring synths towing these dance-worthy tunes through the magical night sky, even if it’s a night sky from 1986. Check out “Puzzles” for a catchy (even prom-worthy) chorus that will stick in your head like Aqua Net.

Michael McDonald
Melt-Banana
Morrissey – Swords (B-sides)

Nirvana, Live at Reading, Bleach Deluxe — If you haven’t seen or heard their headlining set from the ’92 Reading Festival, you’re missing one of the best live rock and roll moments in all of history, seriously. They absolutely KILLED on stage that night.

OST Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas — If you know the show, you know this won’t be your grandma’s holiday album (unless your grandma is an Adult Swim franchise fan). With song titles like “Hark the Herald Angels Rap,” “Jingle Bells Deep” (!) and “I Sure Hope I Don’t Have to Beat Your Ass This Christmas,” you get the sense that Santa’s in mortal danger, and those wise men better show up packin’ heat…

OST – Fantastic Mr. Fox – did you know Wes Anderson made a kids movie? Neither did I…
OST – NCIS
OST – The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Edition
Plumb – hits
Rolling Stones

Serena Ryder, Is It OK — Stellar Canadian starlet whose versatile vocals hit me like Alanis Morissette filtered through country legends Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Muscular lyrics of love and loss catch a wistful fire over uncluttered, acoustic-based tracks which frame her powerful voice like a shimmering white horse in moonlight. She’s already won over our neighbors to the north, and to anyone looking for a solid, well-versed singer-songwriter with the pipes to knock over the competition by sheer vocal force, this is your new favorite artist.

Say Anything
Shane & Shane
Shwayze
Frank Sinatra
Slayer

Straight No Chaser, Christmas Cheers — I’m not one for most Christmas albums, but these a cappella fellas are aces on everything I’ve heard them do thus far, and they shine bright (star of wonder!) on this collection. From soul-ifying “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” to jazzing up the classic “Let It Snow” in grand fashion, the boys roll sans instruments with incredible panache. It would be hard enough to adapt “We Three Kings” to fit over the Mission: Impossible theme with a full orchestra and they pull it off in style with only voices and the occasional finger snap. This is a holiday album that should please just about everyone, teenagers, grandparents and aging hipsters alike.

Themselves
Carrie Underwood
VA – Now That’s What I Call Music! 32 - is anybody paying attention to these anymore? Oh, sorry Wal-Mart shoppers, didn’t see you back there.
Vitalic

Weezer, Raditude — Most bands get stale after singing about the same stuff album after album. Luckily for Rivers Cuomo, his various neuroses and turbulent romantic escapades only get more entertaining, especially filtered through his wry-but-sincere lyrics and apparently-conquered mid-life crisis. To top that, this band’s musical composition is as strong as ever and only getting stronger with the chances they’re taking on this LP. Kicking off with the catchy-as-hell sock-hop stomp of “If You’re Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To),” Cuomo & Co. keep their guitars big and crunchy (and sometimes synthesized!) and their sound classic Weezer, but I enjoyed finding the following surprises: drummer Patrick Wilson’s contribution “In the Mall” being one of my favorite tracks (with bonus Rush-tribute guitar solo!), dance floor-ready anthem “I Can’t Stop Partying” complete with synth’d-out guitars and Lil’ Wayne verse (a nice to sequel to “Beverly Hills”), full-on authentic Indian instrumentation and vocalization on “Love is the Answer,” and a completely unexpected, heart-wrenching and bulletproof ballad in proper album closer “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” (seriously you guys, I was floored). For anyone looking to get the whole album, you’d be well-served to get the deluxe edition, as three of the four extra songs are fully worthy of inclusion, especially if you’re fans of their metal resurgence from the Green-album era. I see, hear, and read plenty of Weezer fans hating on their post-Pinkerton output, but if you’ll open your ears and remove your snark, this album easily bests all albums they’ve released in the ’00s and has loads of absolutely awesome songwriting, some of the best of their career. And if that doesn’t get you, check the rad album cover — flyin’ doggie attack!!1!

If that don’t fill you like half a pumpkin pie, I don’t know what will. If I weren’t so satisfied with the new Weezer LP, I’d probably be gushing more about a few other releases. These are some of the last big names of the year, but there are some stunners still ahead, so stay tuned to this site for all the best of what’s to come. See you when I read you…

P.S. As if reading about them weren’t enough, you can enjoy a playlist featuring most of these fine artists on my MySpace Page. Enjoy.

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To view past reviews, visit our archives.

I’m sure you’ve heard that Butch Walker and Weezer are sort of an item lately. That doesn’t mean they’re holding hands and sharing ice cream cones, it means that they’re working together.

Raditude is the title of Weezer’s upcoming album which is set to release on October 27th. The new album is being produced by Butch Walker and Jacknife Lee, and if the new single “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” is a small taste of what we should expect from the new album, then there will be some Weezer fans who will be excited for a new approach to the music they love, while others might be seen kicking around some dirt (but hopefully not for too long). Let’s face it, it’s not the Weezer we’re used to, but in the same respect, it’s not bad Weezer.

There are plenty of Butch (the artist/producer, not a manly woman) elements within Weezer’s new single where anyone who is familiar with Butch’s music can tell that he’s dipped his finger into the song. If you are that one person who has yet to hear the new track, you can stream it on Weezer’s MySpace page.

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For more information on Weezer, visit weezer.com.

[Play:] Rivers Cuomo loves yogurt, man

In addition to their side banter, Rivers and Jason chose a few tracks to share with the Alt-Nation listeners. Jason Schwartman introduced an uncensored version of Ween’s “Baby Bitch,” reminding us all exactly why satellite radio is so much cooler than terrestrial radio. Both musicians played some of their own tracks, Rivers surprised the hell outta me by kicking the show off with a Good Charlotte song, and Jason explained to us why Weezer means so much to him just before playing “Buddy Holly.”

[Play:] Coconut Records on Weezer

If you’re interested in making a Weezer/Coconut Records Alt-Nation playlist, here’s a complete track listing of what they played:

Rivers Cuomo: “Girls & Boys,” Good Charlotte
Coconut Records: “Baby Bitch,” Ween
Rivers Cuomo: “Don’t Trust Me,” 3OH!3
Coconut Records: “Buddy Holly,” Weezer
Rivers Cuomo: “Can’t Stop Partying,” Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo: “Don’t Worry Baby,” Brian Wilson
Coconut Records: “Microphone,” Coconut Records
Coconut Records: “Any Fun,” Coconut Records
Rivers Cuomo: “Greatest Man That Ever Lived,” Weezer
Rivers Cuomo:”Paperface,” Rivers Cuomo ft. Joe Lopiccolo
Rivers Cuomo: “What If God Was One Of Us” (Joan Osborne cover), Rivers Cuomo ft. Joe Lopiccolo, Rainn Wilson

For more information on Rivers Cuomo (and Weezer), visit weezer.com.
For more information on Coconut Records (aka Jason Schwartzman), visit myspace.com/coconutrecords.
If you would like to know how to get Sirius Satellite Radio immediately, visit the official website.

According the the official Weezer website, Rivers was joined on his new recordings by guitarist Joe LoPiccolo and actor Rainn Wilson. We’re hoping for a hair metal drum solo, but we’re willing to settle for a reenactment of this poster:

Rivers Cuomo is also releasing a live CD and DVD of his in-store hootenanny from December. Filmed at Fingerprints Records in Long Beach, California, the CD will feature six tracks (and is currently available for pre-order) whereas the DVD (also available for pre-order) will include 12 performances, a few interviews, and a music video for “My Brain Is Working Overtime.”

Both the CD and the DVD will be released April 28th.

For more information on Rivers Cuomo (and Weezer), visit weezer.com.
For more information on Coconut Records (aka Jason Schwartzman), visit myspace.com/coconutrecords.

My biggest issue with Weezer is that I simply can’t pick a favorite song. I have a huge place in my heart for “Waiting on You” and the first time I heard it was the first show that J and I ever went to (2002, Coral Sky Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, 3rd row, free tickets) and it was amazing and highly recommend going to see them if you have the chance because they sound amazing live and there’s nothing quite like singing “The Good Life” or “Only in Dreams” with 10,000 other people that love it as much as you. Plus, very few mosh pits open up at a Weezer concert so you can actually listen to them without worrying about getting kicked in the face.

But, that deserves a post of its own and anyway, I digress. I was saying that I simply can’t pick a favorite Weezer song. For a long time, it was “Say It Ain’t So” and then “Susanne” for awhile and it has bounced around since then, but “The World Has Turned and Left Me Here” has been number one for about a year now. I’ve always liked it, but sometime last year when lots of things were going down, it really meant a lot to me.

Sometimes, well for me lots of time, a song- both lyrics and music- just fit perfectly into this moment. I think there will be always times when we feel like no one understands whats going on or how something feels, but for me, music is the universal connection. There’s a song for every place, every moment, every hurt, every joy. The lyrics fit the thoughts and the music mirrors the emotion. And, sometimes, it fits into this empty piece of you and it just makes it a little bit better. I haven’t felt the need to really listen to this song lately but it came on tonight while I was getting ready and I just kept hitting repeat. And, I realized that even though I don’t feel that way anymore, this song is still my favorite. For now anyway.

Okay. Here we go.
We haven’t spoken in a while. We have some catching up to do.

Firstly and most importantly…
If you have a few minutes to spare (and you know you do), we want you to be sure to spend the 14 seconds it takes to create a Rally For Music profile and vote for The Crash Engine every single day until October 23^rd. Two of the members are from my hometown and all three of them are rad, so support the shit out of them. They work hard and rock hard. They deserve to win.
Audioholic Media approves this message.

Visit http://rallyformusic.com/finalists/vote/ daily. Vote.
They’re currently number one in the polls and in our hearts.

I made a super-quick pit stop in Los Angeles to see Weezer play The Forum on Tuesday. The Weezer dudes are all nearing 40 yet they still manage to rock harder than most musicians half their age. And they exude sex appeal. (True story.)

The awesome thing about seeing Weezer play live is how intimate their shows are. The Forum is not a small venue, but when 12,000 people scream along to “Say It Ain’t So”, you can feel something special happening.

The band played a cover of “Time” by Pink Floyd and all of the stoners in the crowd closed their eyes and swayed. The pretentious bastard in me was surprised by how many people knew every. single. word. to the song.
There may be hope for us yet, generation of mine…. Very cool.

We haven’t meant to hold out on you with the Colour Revolt interview. We have it. And we know you want it.
That’ll be up by the end of the week.
Scout’s honor.

We also have that interview with Kenny Vasoli from Person L, and will have an interview with Ace Norton at some point soon. (We’re not sure exactly when just yet. He’s a busy dude.) Keep checking back, okay?
In the meantime, here’s a video Ace directed for Everybody Else.

Have a fantastic week, everyone!
Keep on keepin’ on.

xoxo,
Brianne Turner
Audioholic Media