Sandwiched between increasingly generic pop, punk and metal influences do lie Weezer's noteworthy melodic guitar sweeps, though heart-on-sleeve songwriting of yore subsides to straightforward distort-rock that had its moments, only to be degraded further in the future.

Maladroit was the very last of the weezer albums I added to my prize collection. This was partly because of all the negative magazine reviews and foul comments from friends who own it. Frankly, I was afraid for several years to finally hear the album for myself. (I didn't want to hear one of my all-time favorite bands actually "bomb out") Much to my suprise, the album is stellar.

Overall, Maladroit has a very post-Green Album feel to it, meaning there is still heavy-rock distortion, as well as tons of solos featuring the wah pedal. Weezer changes their style up a little bit thoughout this record, however. The solos are now quite a bit more complicated. Solos no longer simply mimic the chorus. The songs on Maladroit are slightly more obscure in comparison to the catchier "pop rock" sounds found on the Green or Blue Album. Although, its certainly not as obscure as their Pinkerton album. After a few listens, the hooks in each song will begin to "stick" and you will begin to find them all very catchy. Although the band does get a little "out there" at times, Maladroit still has enough pop rock vibe, overall, to make it an album you'll want to listen to over and over again in your stereo or ipod.

And now the moment you've all been waiting for...a summary of all the songs on the album (in my opinion).


TRACK 1. AMERICAN GIGOLO- The almost hypnotic drum intro is what really sets this song apart from the others. I really like how Rivers talks somewhat authoritive or like he may have "a chip on his shoulder" in the song's verses. It really adds attitude to the song as a whole. Primative, yet insanely catchy, heavy guitar riff makes this song an instant album favorite and a
10/10.

TRACK 2. DOPE NOSE- This is probably one of my least favorite songs on the entire album. It was the first release off Maladroit and got plenty of air and tv time. Maybe too much. To me it is just "alright". "Dope Nose" sounds somewhat generic and uninspired. This song should've been a B-side or other rarity. Theres definitely a very recycled weezer sound going on here. In my opinion, the song isn't unique or strong enough on its own giving it a
7/10.

TRACK 3. KEEP FISHIN- A great choice for a release, in the respect that this song is unique. It took some time to really get into this song, but after that, I absolutely LOVED it. The drums at the begining of this song really set the tone and make the song "pop". I really liked how Cuomo and Bell strum their guitars quietly until the chorus, then they really lay on the guitars and the tempo changes. P.S.- Excellent solo on this song. 10/10

TRACK 4. TAKE CONTROL- This songs is one of the obscures I mentioned above. I definitely grows on you. The slow pace and long breaths between singing make you wonder "where is this song going exactly?" But then the chorus comes around the bend with loud guitar and a different tempo to slap you right in the cerebellum. I like Cuomo's choice of vocal notes here, and again, his time between notes. A nice change from his typical style of singing. Also, the lyrics are interesting and catchy.
10/10


TRACK 5. DEATH AND DESTRUCTION- Although I get what the band was going for when they wrote this song, it still stands as my least favorite song on Maladroit. It has a very slow and gloomy tempo. The singing is very droney. The chorus just seems like an afterthought rather than an actual break from the verse. Everything just kind of blends together too much in the song. It makes me feel tired and bummed out, so I usually skip it. 7/10

TRACK 6. SLOB- This is the reason I bought Maladroit in the first place. I first heard it on one of my Weezer DVDs. This song treads on very different ground than what weezer is typical known for. This song has a very dark and emotional tone, and its all thanks to the guitar. This song totally nails "dark" in every aspect that "Death and Destruction" fails. The way it is sang almost makes you think that Cuomos is becoming a recluse or is mentally disturbed. The louder guitar volume and tempo changes at the chorus set this song even more over the edge of sanity. This is definitely my favorite song on this album
11/10

TRACK 7. BURNDT JAMB- This could have been a single in my opinion. If "Island in the Sun" and "Keep Fishin" had a baby, this might be it. This song travels back to jazz and funk roots at times, but still manages to bring it all back into the weezer realm with its hard rock chorus and solo. It sounds very much like something that could have been written by 311 or the chili peppers, but by all rights is still unique.
10/10


TRACK 8. SPACE ROCK- I love the synth sound in this song (either coming from a guitar pedal effect or an actual synthesizer). It reminds me a lot of The Cars. Short song, but cute lyrics.
10/10

TRACK 9. SLAVE- Reminds me of "Simple Pages" and "Crab" from the Green Album. This song would have fit just perfectly there. The hook that really gets you is towards the very end of the song when theres a single guitar chord they let sustain until it fades, while Cuomo sings "Love...Barely Alive, Love...Barely Alive...SlAaAaAaAaaaAve..." Its really profound and emotional. Another one of my favorite songs. The intro is insanely heavy, leading you to beleive the songs going to sound really mad and agressive, instead of rocking and emotional.
11/10

TRACK 10. FALL TOGETHER- A excellent heavy rock, feel-good, love anthem. An instant winner. The guitar riffs almost remind me of Nirvana or 90's Silverchair, if those bands had slightly more positive music.
10/10

TRACK 11. POSSIBILITIES- This song has a very simple pop punk feel to it.
There really isn't anything majorly exciting about this song, but its definitely worth a listen, and will probably make you smile. The louder and higher pitched vocals at the end are kind of a neat touch. I still think this would make a great Pillsbury comercial jingle...
Pillsbury- "Imagine the Possibilities."
Cuomo- "Woah-oh woahhh...POSS-I-BIL-I-TIES..."
9/10

TRACK 12. LOVE EXPLOSION- Theres definitely some sarcasm and hilarity to this song. The vocals and music are sang and played in such a royal and happy rock tone, yet the actual lyrics are kind of violent or twisted.
"Take a look around you
All the people who crowd around in your house
They be wantin' to kill you
In your sleep..."
I just love the total juxtapostion of evil and sweetness in a song.
11/10

TRACK 13. DECEMBER- I really like this song. It sounds like it may have some deep roots from the the Doo Wop era, perhaps. A great slower song with really sweet and emotional lyrics. Probably some of Cuomo's best vocals on the whole record. This song is something along the lines of the great weezer Blue Album song "Only in Dreams".
10/10

I am a huge alternative rock/post grunge, whatever you want to call it music fan. Weezer's first album "Blue" was is one of my favorite albums of all time, and I think that most Weezer fans will agree. Although Maladroit seems to get really mixed reviews amongst fans, I think that this is really their true "grunge" follow up to the first album. Considering Weezer has turned into an uber-marketable pop band, making one sell out single after another, to me this is their last real album. It rocks hard, has great distortion (almost as good as blue), and isn't cheesy like their new work. I love it.

In 2001, after a 5 year hiatus (Pinkerton, due to it's extremely personal, non-pop, radio un-friendly lyrics and it's overall feel of emotional claustrophobia flopped.) Rivers Cuomo finally unleashed the long awaited Green album. Fans were divided, the Weezer that surfaced on Pinkerton totally disappeared, and instead gave us Blue album-esque happy, poppy, lovely dovey, vague, seemingly emotionless pop ballads.

Now, the thing about mentally unstable musicians, Rivers is certainly a borderline mondernday Brian Wilson, is that from one album to the next you have no clue what you're going to get. In interviews, granted they even attend them, they can hint and tease what the new material will sound like, but you can never be sure.

2002, after the phenomenal success of the Green album, Weezer released Maladroit. Basically, their 2nd Pinkerton. Two songs saw minor radio play, and overall the album was a failure. Why? Because this isn't Weezer. The vast majority of the songs on this album could pass for songs Corrosion of Conformity (i'm trying to think of a band that doesn't suck to compare them to, but it's late, leave me alone.) wished they had written.

Thick riffs, serious solos and, again like with Pinkerton, incredibly personal lyrics. Of course, the vocals are the same, so if you couldn't stomach them before, don't bother.

In pre-release interviews Rivers mentioned a major Judas Priest influence, and has appeared in numerous Guitar magazines in Malmsteen shirts, that Maladroit was the closest Weezer were ever going to get to metal, and, he couldn't have possibly been more right.

Songs like Take Control and Slob are heavier than anything the band has ever come up with in their 10+ year career, and to some degree I can feel confident in saying that some of the riffs were stolen from Stoner gods Kyuss (yes, i'm serious.) Distortion and feedback found a momentary home on this album, and it was far too early a departure.

It's a god damn shame that they returned to their pop roots with Make Believe, but if history has proven anything, it's that they release a pop album, then something to make your jaw drop.

Here's to hoping

Bottom Line: An absolute gem that every single breathing person should own, be it in MP3 form or on disc.

standout tracks: Take Control, Slob, Fall Together

Musicianship - 10
Originality - 9
Atmosphere - 10
Production - 10

I bought Maladroit hoping nothing else: I hope this thing freakin rocks. and what do you know it does rock. My fav off this album though, has got to be Dope Nose. It is a rock hard hit of the year. Don't get me wrong, all the other songs, (like slob, burndt jamb, and space rock) are almost just as good, but not quite. So lets give a round of applause to everybody's favorite band Weezer! (their other albums ae great too)

Definitely not as good as the other Weezer albums.

The addition of a heavy metal guitarist to Weezer for this album make it stand out for me from the rest of their work. It's a little harder and thrash-ier (love the soaring "Slave"), but it's still not enough to make Weezer sound like more than another standard "alternative" outfit. The songs stopped sounding good after about the 20th listen.

It's ok, but not as good as the blue album or even the green album. I actually like Pinkerton better too. I was kind of disappointed with it, but there are a couple good songs.

A great CD! There are so many good songs like Dope Nose, Keep Fishin', Burndt Jam, and Love Explosion. I really recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys rock music. These guys are a lesser known band and they need to be recognized.

It was a okay CD, but some of the sounds had a too generic, washy, waily feel to them. With the exception of Dope Nose, there was really nothing that stood out.