« "Hip Hop 'til You Drop!!!! | Main | Live from the All Points West Festival »
October 11, 2008
Weezer Rocks Madison Square Garden 9/24/08
If Weezer is a country then Rivers Cuomo is undoubtedly the bands dictator. This analogy held true until June when the band released the Red Album its third-self titled effort and sixth studio album. Now the band is more akin to a democracy, with a leader and trusted rock and roll veterans by his side. Such a change is refreshing as Weezer put on the best show of its past several tours. It was fresh and cutting edge yet held true to the band’s roots of nerdy Hollywood rock, glasses and all. Fans happily sang along as bass player Scott Shriner took lead on “My Name is Jonas” and “Perfect Situation.” Pat Wilson got to play guitar on his own song “Automatic” from the new CD and “Morning Glory” from Oasis’ classic album. Brian Bell, guitar, also joined the fold for “El Scorcho” from Pinkerton. As the band supported another primary colored CD many of the energetic tracks like “Dreamin,” “Troublemaker,” and the Timbaland praising “Pork & Beans” (the albums catchy first single) were on the set list. All these cuts picked up where Weezer left off from their previous albums and offered new shots at power rock. With this in mind, the absolute highlight of the album and evening was “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”. The 6 plus minute song was a self-indulgent synthesis of prior work containing piano, sirens, crunchy distortion, spoken-word, and closed with a section that just makes you want to head bang and fist pump all night. Non-studio cuts such as doo-woopy gone grunge “Suzanne” and the mellowed out “King” were offered. The first encore was a hootenanny of about 30 fans (picked right before the show) playing a variety of instruments un-miced with the band. Spirited versions of “Island in the Sun” and Beverly Hills” then ensued as MSG saw a quieter moment. The words passionate, energetic, spontaneous, all help describe Weezer’s current reinvention phase. It showed them mesh into a collective both willing and able to change things for both fans and themselves. It’s a shame they’re not running for president.
John Paul Leonardi
Posted by msrap at October 11, 2008 2:05 PM