Weezer
The Teal Album
Atlantic Records
Weezer can play a knockout cover but that doesnβt mean that The Teal Album, a collection of iconic and shamelessly-picked classics, is predictable. On ten tracks of lighthearted fun, Weezer approaches many of the cheesiest songs in existence. On the opener, Totoβs βAfricaβ, Weezer injects their signature β90s guitar amongst the cloying keyboard and heavily-produced drumming. These covers, which are generally similar to the original versions, successfully convey the same sugary themes. Tears for Fears and The Eurythmicsβ βSweet Dreams Are Made of Thisβ receives hi-fi treatment, confirming Weezerβs appreciation of β80s pop. Winding the clock back to the ’60s, Weezer take on The Turtlesβ iconic hippie anthem βHappy Togetherβ, on which they sound more like the punchy guitar band of their previous albums. Despite The Teal Albumβs obvious irony, the hi-fi production and savage vocal sheen on Black Sabbathβs βParanoidβ suggests nothing but reverence for the godfathers of metal. Like Weird Al Yankovich, Weezer is a band of finely-tuned musicians capable of bringing its own interpretation to other artistsβ work. The Teal Album includes no half measures. On βBilly Jeanβ, the geeky garage band confidently tackle the King of Popβs biggest hit, producing a version that oozes with as much respect as humour. On The Teal Album, Weezer delivers an outright hilarious choice of ten faithfully-executed classics for an overall colourful experience. Teal is the colour of a band having pure, shameless fun.
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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: WEEZER – THE TEAL ALBUM
David Lacroix