I GOTTA HAVE PATRON, I GOTTA HAVE THE “E”

“Can’t Stop Partying” is one of a number of particularly frustrating Weezer songs.

It first appeared as an acoustic demo on Rivers’ second compilation of home recordings. The song is a lyrical collaboration between Rivers and rapper Jermaine Dupri. The version you find on that record is acoustic, as Rivers cleverly turns a song celebrating a lifestyle of excess into a song lamenting those destructive habits. It’s actually one of my favorite tracks from his two Alone records.

When Rivers finally committed it to a major release on Raditude, the acoustic guitar was entirely removed, replaced with synths, manufactured hip-hop beats, a frivolous guest appearance by Lil Wayne, and a tone that almost completely subverts the dark, rueful feel of the demo. By kicking it up a few notches, he ends up kicking it over. It’s like “Pig” all over again.

This AOL Sessions performance of it finds Chamillionaire stepping in for Lil Wayne, and somehow managing to come across as even more forgettable. The synths are cranked up significantly and accompanied by Rivers’ electric guitar in this version, but the verses that turn it down a few notches actually drag the song down quite a bit. If you’re going to go big, go all the way, Rivers. Don’t waffle. “Loud-QUIET-loud” only works reliably if you’re, well, if you’re the Pixies.

So, wall of keyboards? Yay. Neutered song? Nay.

thehiddentrack:

fuckyeahsharks:

If Weezer made this the cover of Raditude it would have made the music better still suck. (via)

Sure looks like he’s jumping that shark, don’t it?

You know, this wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be.

Because when I go to a Weezer concert, what I want to hear is people performing who are not Weezer.

Back in the early 2000s, I used to frequent the All Things Not Weezer boards, the off-topic section of Weezer.com’s forums which later spun off onto some fan sites. It was a very jaded, cynical community, and many of us were irony-soaked little indie darlings. In this world, Coldplay was most emphatically on the shit list, and Chris Martin’s classy, world-saving antics were most certainly looked down upon.

So, if you were to take a trip back through time and tell us that, in 2009, Weezer would be performing a cover of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” you would’ve encountered much wailing and gnashing of teeth. (And, perhaps, a few unsurprised eyerolls.)

It’s just… This is just… I don’t know. I don’t even dislike Coldplay anymore. They’re not that bad. I mean, I listen to U2, so I should be able to handle Coldplay. But this cover? No, man. I’m just not feeling it. No. NO. Not feeling it at all, Rivers. Do not.

You know… this isn’t nearly as bad as the phrase “Weezer (featuring Kenny G)” would make one think it is. Inviting Kenny G to perform on your power-pop-punk song is an act that so dangerously straddles that thin line between irony and horrible, horrible decision-making. Somehow, it just barely kind of works.

Rivers from 2:45-2:49, however? Not so much.

And why, exactly, couldn’t you have performed this with Pat and Brian, Rivers? And is there a reason why you’re dressed like Waldo’s infant son? I have so many questions, Rivers. So many questions. (Decent vocal performance, though.)