(Interscope/Universal)

More bedroom Kiss riffs and power pop hooks aplenty

After last year’s patchy Red Album, Weezer continue on their way with another multi-produced and large-scale power pop record. Fortunately, Raditude is something of an improvement with a more consistently strong collection of material and the too-many-cooks approach actually working this time over. Everyone from Jacknife Lee to big mainstream producer/songwriter Dr Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry etc) works with band visionary Rivers Cuomo to create a diverse and enormously entertaining album. There’s even a couple of co-writes with hip hop producer Jermaine Dupri on Let It All Hang Out and I Can’t Stop Partying, the latter of which blends Weezer’s chunky guitar hooks with Ultravox-styled ‘80s synths, and a surprisingly helpful and non-obtrusive guest rap from L’il Wayne. Weepy ballad I Don’t Want To Let You Go and the rather flat bonus track Turn Me Round are quite skip-able, but luckily the highlights greatly outnumber the flat spots. With its Flight Of The Conchords-esque title (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To is a bouncy acoustic number with a thumping Supremes/Martha & The Vandellas backbeat, while Trippin’ Down The Freeway, I’m Your Daddy and The Girl Got Hot are typically upbeat Weezer anthems, the latter bolstered by a glammy Slade-style arrangement. So while we haven’t returned to the giddy heights of The Blue Album and Pinkerton, Raditude is almost as much fun as the leaping dog on the cover. Wheeee!

***½  

MATT THROWER

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