Weezer, 'Raditude'

Release date: November 3, 2009
Record label: Geffen
Official Web site: http://www.weezer.com/

The buzz: For much of the mid-'90s, Weezer were an unstoppable force: the L.A.-based power-poppers' self-titled debut (often called “The Blue Album”) not only was a hit at the time of its release but will forever live in the annals of great rock records, especially for geeks looking for a hero, thanks to bespectacled outcast/frontman Rivers Cuomo. In recent years, though, Weezer started showing signs of their age: last year's also-self-titled release (“The Red Album”) was disjointed and disappointing, the latest in a string of should-be-second-guessed moves from the band.

The verdict: Mercifully, “Raditude” is no “Red Album”: thanks in part to uber-producer Butch Walker, it seems that Cuomo and his gang have gotten at least part of their mojo back. The lead-off track and first single, “(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” is a rollicking ode to '50s harmonies and song structure, while novelty songs like “I'm Your Daddy” and “Can't Stop Partying” sound wry and fun, rather than forced and gimmicky. There are a couple of misses (the nearly 40-year-old Cuomo sounds weird singing a song called “In the Mall”) but for the most part, if not a full return to form, this is at least a record that longtime fans'll happily call a part of the canon.

Did you know? The album also contains a guest spot from rapper Lil Wayne.