When Rivers Cuomo began writing 1994’s self-titled “Blue Album,” he borrowed extensively from two popular albums of the time: “Nevermind” by Nirvana, and “Definitely Maybe” by Oasis.
A full decade later, the Weezer frontman is still borrowing from some of the same influences, but more of the latter than the former. “Make Believe,” the band’s fifth album, is a reflection of much of the current music scene hitting American shores from the United Kingdom.
Nearly all the song titles are immediately obvious from listening to the chorus. “Pardon Me” has Cuomo singing those two words over and over again, while “We Are All on Drugs” makes the listener wonder exactly what is going on as those words are constantly repeated through the chorus.
“Make Believe” has a traditional Weezer sound with streamlined and catchy pop lyrics over common guitar riffs that sound like listeners have heard them before. However, on “Make Believe,” Cuomo and the rest of the band have reached a level of perfection not found on previous albums.
The album kicks off with “Beverly Hills,” which is also the current radio single. The guitar riff is borrowed from “Hangin’ Around” by the Counting Crows, the clapping evincences early Oasis b-sides and Cuomo borrows melody from the Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.” The lyrics discuss wanting to live like a celebrity in the California town while owning a car that “is a piece of crap.” But the song comes across as wistful, not whiny.
Put together, the song is reflective of Weezer at this point of its career: mature and self-assured. The band has grown past its awkward, painful stage depicted on its first two albums and past the sheer pop expression that was the band’s last two albums. “Make Believe” is the blend of pop-rock maturity fans have been waiting for.
The album also lasts longer than half an hour, as opposed to the last two. Listeners who felt they did not get their money’s worth on either of the previous two Weezer albums will be sated this time around.
Cuomo’s lyrics are as straightforward as ever. “Perfect Situation” uses the familiar “oh, oh, oh” vocal harmonies that accompany most Weezer songs. Cuomo sounds positively happy on “My Best Friend” when he sings “You’re my best friend/and I love you/and I love you/yes I do.”
“Freak Me Out” is an anomaly on an album of up-tempo, positive songs. The song is important because it shows that Weezer can be mellow and entertaining at the same time. It also comes at an important part of the album: right before “Haunt You Every Day” – the closer.
“Haunt” begins with piano and sounds like it could be an unreleased Keane track until distorted guitars announce the beginning of the chorus. It ends with a guitar mimicking Cuomo’s voice and a vibe similar to “Say It Ain’t So,” from Weezer’s debut album.
Equal parts Oasis melody and equal parts Nirvana power chords, Weezer has found its true voice. “Make Believe” marks the best effort yet from the alt-rock veterans.
