Weezer's 'Weezer' proves a pleaser

Weezer's back. In the nearly five-year absence since the release of the greatly misunderstood Pinkerton album, there has been very little in the way of good rock music being released. Pure rock fans have been forgotten in the tide of boy bands and watered-down pop. But, have no fear rock fans, Weezer is here. After fighting Rivers Cuomo's creative block, Weezer has returned with the highly anticipated Weezer (The Green Album). With the album's first single "Hash Pipe" tearing up rock radio, the world has learned what many have known for a while: Weezer is a good rock band. Their lyrics might not be the most creative, and they might dress like the "Dungeons and Dragons" nerds that they are, but their musical sense is undeniable.\nThey don't need heavy metal riffs or a "rock god" attitude. All they need is three chords, two minutes and something to sing about. There is more than enough of that on this record. Clocking in at just over 28 minutes in length, the album comments on the smaller sides of life in catchy songs like "Knock-down Drag out" and "Glorious Day." These songs show a close link to the song writing of their first album, without as much of the personal side Rivers displayed on Pinkerton.\nIt's the album's length that holds the secret to Weezer's success. The 28 minutes that comprise The Green Album is a cold, calculated move by Rivers and his fellow bandmates. Weezer makes a bold statement in the 10 tracks of the record: this is what rock music should be. It's a blueprint other bands should follow. It's also a direct statement to rock fans as well: rock music isn't dead. Billy Corgan might have announced its death, but the beast is still alive. And all the Limp Bizkits and Britney Spears of the world can't kill millions of kids' need to rock.\nThere is not a bad song on this record. Every song fits wonderfully into Weezer's style of "geeky" rock. As long as this doesn't prompt a Nada Surf reunion, the world of rock music is better for it.