Pacific Daydream marks Weezer's 11th studio release since their beginnings in 1992, and shows a change in direction from the alternative rock roots the band has hailed from. Led by "Feels Like Summer", it was clear that there would be more pop tendencies showcased on this album, as opposed to last year's "White Album". "Feels Like Summer" is a deceiving song, in terms of the sound and vibe versus the lyrical content. While you listen along to the bright EDM synths and falsetto vocals on the chorus, you might not notice the wistful twist provided by the last line of the song:
"When she was a lover to me"
This is part of a long trend of upbeat, catchy songs that are lyrically darker than one might expect (look at Foster The People's "Pumped Up Kicks" for reference), which I've always found to be an interesting use of contrast and juxtaposition. "Happy Hour", the second single released, expands on this concept. The song leans again towards more pop tendencies, but this time with more jazzy vibes and a bit less energy than "Feels Like Summer". Lyrically, the chorus itself is implying that lead singer Rivers Cuomo needs to drink to forget the sad days, which is pretty bleak. But, I would imagine that the song will leave the listener in a better mood than before they listen to the song because of the way it is constructed.
Nothing else on the album is quite as EDM influenced as "Feels Like Summer", but that also doesn't mean that they swing right back to the alternative-rock sound that Weezer is known for. Songs like "Mexican Fender", "Weekend Woman", and "Get Right" all lean more towards the pop side of things. "Get Right"uses a pulsating kick drum and a groovy bass to keep the song moving along, as well as a cool (if momentary) sampling line right after each chorus. The guitar doesn't lead the song, as it has on many of their past songs, but instead a blending of all the instruments and vocals to focus on the overall sound and not an individual instrument or aspect, as many pop songs do. "Mexican Fender" utilizes more guitar during the verses, but still has a mostly pop feel as Cuomo gives a great example of storytelling through lyrics. He creates very vivid and specific references that help the listener visualize the events in their minds. "Weekend Woman" features dueling bass and guitar lines that help give the song a strong feeling of being inspired by "Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure. Lyrically, especially on the chorus, you can hear how Cuomo might have been trying to emulate The Cure with the references to specific days of the week. It's definitely a warm song and has hopeful romantic written all over it.
Not all of the songs lean towards the upbeat, warm and fuzzy side, however. Songs like "QB Blitz", "Sweet Mary", and "Beach Boys" all lean more towards the subdued, slower side. "Beach Boys", funnily enough, sounds very little like The Beach Boys; the funky bass line in the beginning brings to mind Joywave and it's a bit grittier and darker than one would expect, given the title. It is probably the most upbeat of the three, but still doesn't feel like the kind of song you'd play at the beach on a bright, summer day. "QB Blitz" has fairly somber lyrical content, which makes it hard to lose oneself in the instrumental, which also leans more towards sorrow than sweetness. Cuomo talks about wanting friends and finding someone who really loves him, leaving the listener a little bit down (at least, that's how I felt). "Sweet Mary" has a bit of an 80's sound in the beginning, with Cuomo yearning for a lost lover throughout. The song is on the slower side as well, adding to the mood established in the lyrics. I found this to be the weakest song of the album, feeling quite forgetful (despite having written notes for it, I had to listen to it again as I wrote this).
The singles leading up to this album had me fairly excited, although not on the edge of my seat. When the rest of the album released, however, I was not as impressed as I hoped I would be. While I think Weezer is an excellent band and I'll continue to support their music, this album wasn't the strongest piece of work from the group. The pop ideas were executed well in certain places ("Feels Like Summer", "Mexican Fender", "Get Right"), but felt a bit flat and uninspired in other places ("QB Blitz", "Happy Hour", "Sweet Mary"). I am all for bands expanding their sound and trying new things, but I think Weezer should let this album be a stand alone venture into the pop territory.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommended: "Feels Like Summer", "Mexican Fender", "Get Right"
Related: The Pixies, The Cure, Cake
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