Maladroit
After taking five leisurely years to follow up on 1996'sPinkerton, Weezer are apparently on a roll. Arriving just over 12 months afterThe Green Album,Maladroitfinds the Los Angeles power-pop band in the midst of a particularly fertile creative period. "Dope Nose," which is easily stronger than anything on the last album, flexes a sinister shout-along chorus and vintageVan Halenriffs, while the potent garage-punk blast of "Fall Together" wipes out any lingering discomfort over the thoroughlySugar Ray-sounding "Island in the Sun." In a senseThe Green Albumwas just a taster for this, the blissfully thunderous main dish. Sure, there are some deadpan emo moments ("Death and Destruction") littering the course, but mostlyMaladroitis Weezer doing what they do best--inverting and embracing dumb rock stereotypes and somehow making them sound smart.--Aidin Vaziri