Release Date: January 24, 2019
Track Listing:
- Africa
- Everybody Wants To Rule the World
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
- Take On Me
- Happy Together
- Paranoid
- Mr. Blue Sky
- No Scrubs
- Billie Jean
- Stand By Me
Allen Says:
It seems that everyone around my age, the millennials, fell in love with Weezer’s Teal Album which is a cover album of popular songs. It became an easy listen at work, especially with their rendition of No Scrubs and Africa. It was an instant download for me when it came out in late January. It was polarizing for critics as they felt Weezer just “phoned it in” where as fans loved the covers live in concert. What do you think Toz, great covers that takes you back to your childhood or could have Weezer done something different and better?
An album full of covers. Let’s check out Allen’s recommendation.
Africa
I could see how this would be an easy listen. If you are at work and you throw this one, you don’t have to pay much attention to it, then get excited when they hit the chorus. That being said, I don’t think Weezer did enough to make this cover theirs.
Everybody Wants To Rule the World
Same thoughts for this cover, too. I have a feeling I’m gonna repeat myself a few times with each song.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
This is a delightful surprise. Maybe it’s because it’s all male vocals, but Weezer makes this sounds like theirs. It’s different enough from the original, but still maintains the spirit. Also, I do like the original song, so thumbs up from me.
Take On Me
First of all, Take On Me is a great song. I was most interested in how they covered this song, No Scrubs, and Billie Jean. I’m left indifferent.
Happy Together
My first thought:
Maybe I would’ve found this cover more interesting if it was paired with a commercial with the new Smash game.
Paranoid
Makes me miss Ozzy. Although I didn’t expect Weezer to cover a heavy metal song, so that’s cool.
Mr. Blue Sky
I have almost no knowledge of ELO and this song, so I’m having to judge it as itself (Well I’m familiar with some songs that samples it, however). I liked it! It made me go and listen to the original version. I also enjoyed that! Probably gonna stick to the original.
No Scrubs
So I caught the Twitter brouhaha about this cover. Now listening to it with some distance, it’s not egregious. But this is dealing with nostalgia, and it’s hard to top the TLC voices singing about the best friend.
Billie Jean
I dont listen of Michael Jackson as much these days, and hearing Weezer cover him was weird. Sorry to repeat myself but it doesn’t do anything interesting to differentiate it from the source.
Stand By Me
Ditto.
Overall Thoughts
Sorry, Allen. I kept but shrug at this cover album. Nothing stands out, positive or negative. I bet these covers are fun and entertaining live, but I’m surprised people would actively pick this album of theirs to listen to. Then again, if someone did play any of these songs I wouldn’t be angry or upset. It doesn’t move me in any direction. It’s not good enough to rave about, and it’s not bad enough to dig into. Perhaps this was entirely a joke album, but if that’s the case then the joke doesn’t make sense.
July – Tame Impala’s Currents
