Weezer-ish.....and AWESOME
927472
Great stuff...very weezer-ish, but in a good way.  Take the good elements of weezer and the foo fighters, throw in some classic rock influences, and you've got LUZER.  Only wish it was a full album not an EP.
3906544
I'm a long-time fan of 311, so my standards are high when a new CD hits the shelves. I want a mix of some old-school 311 sound with some new, funky beats thrown in to match the times. 311 hasn't done a so-so CD, save "Transistor" perhaps, and "Evolver" shows both the band's growth and shortcomings.
  The newest single, "Creatues For A While" is *AWESOME*. This is 311 at its best...with its signature sounds, some true hard rock, and plenty of funk. This is a song to crank on your stereo, full-volume, and just rock out! 311 is amazing at changing beats and sounds abruptly in a song yet making it all work, and "Creatures" is a great example. Other tracks have really become catchy, and that's why I said to make sure you listen to the CD more than once before you decide your feelings on it; on your first listen some of the songs may seem luke-warm, but they _will_ stick in your head and make you pop the tracks into Repeat mode later in the day.
  Plenty of other tracks are fab. "Reconsider Everything" has a guitar line that sounds very new for 311, a reminder of why they named the CD "Evolver," and has potential as a second single. "Crack The Code" sounds a little disjointed on first listen- but has become another favorite of mine with some of the signature 311 beat changes. "Beyond The Gray Sky" is an incredible slow song for the band, with soaring lyrics and tunes, and will no doubt become a classic with the fans. "Don't Dwell" has a fast, upbeat mood that reminds me of another older 311 song, "Do You Right." "The Other Side Of Things" is absolutely awesome, starting out with a slow, methodic beat and suddenly changing to the catchiest chorus I've heard in a while! "Seems Uncertain" is great for the fans who love the slow, ballad-like tunes, as is "Sometimes Jacks Rule The Round."
  Sometimes some repetition hits home. "Give Me A Call" and "Same Mistake Twice" either repeat way too much for my liking or sound too similar to other 311 songs or lyrics. If anything this is sometimes 311's downfall, but it happens so rarely I really can't complain.
  In all, the dedicated fan of 311 will be thrilled with "Evolver"! Five stars for a CD that's easy to put on Repeat and has at least six or seven truly great songs! The more you play this CD, the more you'll come to love the songs and find yourself fighting to get them out of your head. A new fan will love the single, but I'd suggest that fan pick up "Music," "Soundsystem," and what's called the "Blue" album (basically the CD with the original hit single "Down") along with "Evolver" so they really get a feel for what the band's all about. I just saw the band live today again and heard at least half the songs off "Evolver," and they're even better live! Pick this CD up. 311 is a band that's fought selling out to whatever the beat of the month is and has stuck by its music and fans for years- true stars, artists, and all-around awesome guys. You gotta give credit to a band that's lasted this long in today's pop music world and land of one-hit wonders!
2119778
I think what Weezer is doing is awesome. These guys are working like the old rock and roll bands from the 50-60's, which recorded one or even two albums a year. Most bads release an album every three or more years, while Weezer has turned into a huge music making machine, launching tunes so good and memorable. These guys are actually recording their 5th album and this one (4th) has merely being launched... This is good, this is good for music and the entertainment industry, so much dedication and love for its fans.
About this album, tunes like Keep Fishing are as memorable as those of the Green Album or the Blue Album. Dope Nose is kinda funny, and all other songs are simply brilliant like Weezer has always been, where you can see Rivers' dedication to music.
I hope more bands were like these guys.
693551
I was born in the early 80's, and became a fan of alternative rock in the early to mid 90's when grunge was all the rage. As I listen to this excellent album, I hear alot of the bands of my youth. Weezer or Nirvana certainly wouldn't have been the same band without The Pixies' influence. Modest Mouse can definatly claim them as an influence too. Why I've waited so long to get this album is beyond me..

I can't really give this a proper review because I literally just started listening to it. It is, however, quite awesome with Debaser, Wave of Mutilation and Monkey Gone to Heaven being instant favorites.
3428918
Solid Weezer record.  it flows effortlessly from song to song.  In various parts, reminiscent of their first four albums. Lyrics are thoughtfully crafted throughout.  Lot's of sonic nuggets to be found.  Very well produced and it really sounds great with airy vocals and crunchy guitars, but also rocking piano and guitar runs.

The performance of bass and drums stand out in the best possible way throughout.  Pat Wilson brings it all to the table and has you air drumming.  As for bass, Scott Shriner's bass tones just rock.  It is apparent on every track he put lots of work into this record.

The two songs written by Rivers and Brian Bell stand out as excellent Weezer songs.  I hope the next record keeps up this production style and in-band co-writing.  Much of the Blue album was written by Rivers and Pat.

My only complaint is that it is not longer.  It is tight, but Endless Bummer could be another "Only in Dreams" style 6 or 7 minute masterpiece.
3516317
If you love Weezer then you will love The Relationship. Brian Bell has an awesome voice and the lyrics are hands down first rate. The guitars sound a bit bluesy in some of the songs. Very mellow and relaxing.
3528528
I Don't know where I heard about these guys.  Maybe it was here on Amazon.  I can't remember.  Well, that's not the point.  The bottom line is:  This CD is one of the best powerpop/techno/indie/emo EPs I have ever heard.  Yeah, that's a mouth full but that's how I would categorize this.  It's that varied.  Every song on here is catchy as hell.  Given there's only 6 songs, but every one is golden in it's on way.  I seriously don't know why this band isn't all over airwaves.  Perhaps it's due to all the different styles they incorporate.  However, I think that when it comes down to it, they are pop.  I showed this CD to some of my friends at school who usually stick to mainstream stuff.  (fallout boy, green day)  At first they were very skeptical, because most of my music falls under the "screamo/hardcore" radar.  However, after hearing "Dear Jamie"  They fell in love with it and demanded copies.  After a couple weeks half the school had fell in love with this band.  BTW that was back when they were ENTIRELY indie status.  Now they are a bit more popular.  I don't know why I like this CD so much.  It might be the sound effects, the lyrics, the guy's voice, or the guitarwork.  It's all just so well done.  I can see anybody liking this.  The addictiveness is amazing.

The songs seem so similiar, but yet they are very different.  I simply can't express the diversity Hellogoodbye offers.  There aren't many bands that can claim a sound like this.  Sure, there are similiar acts, such as Plain White T's, or Zolof, but even those bands don't sound like this.

Lyrically I was greatly impressed.  Usually in this field of music you won't find stuff this deep.  It's almost Emoish.  The subject material pretty much sticks with girls.  (go figure)  Still though, there's a lot of poetic prowess.  Good job Hellogoodbye.

SO overall, you need this if you enjot music.  It shall satisfy.
11477
May 10, 2005 had been marked on my calender ever since i heard that would be the day the new Weezer album came out. So i bought the cd first thing in the morning before i went to school even though i was late it didn't matter it was totally worth it. "Beverly Hills" is perhaps the weakest track on the album if you could even call it weak. "Perfect Situation' is where i get images of the old Weezer the weezer where Rivers had his bowl cut that weezer the blue album weezer. Perhaps my favortite song on Make Believe is "The Damage In Your Heart" if i just heard this song i would have thought it to be on Pinkerton it reminds me so much of my Favorite Weezer song "Falling For You".

go out and buy this album it'll hold you over until the next one comes out which i predict will be the reincarnation of Pinkerton
3749305
once upon a time in the early 90's there was an expressive and fun band called weezer.they inspired real losers to unite and we all cared about them very much.then they died and came back to life in a scarey pet cemetery kind of way.let me first start by saying if you think just because music is heavier it is automatically better you are dumb and you will like this cd.judging a cd on how heavey it is is like judging a person by there weight.didn't you ever see a skinny or heavey person you were still attracted to.if you are overly intellectual or artistically handicapped you will also adore this album.you will probably parade it around like a new lover not knowing that he or she(whatever your preference) is cheating on you with satan the lord of the corporate high rise sell outs. Rivers and his band of meat muppets are just that --sell outs.this album is aesthetically trendy and heartless.the only song that has meaning is slave because rivers is a slave to his own overimposing brain.i would like to wrap up by saying this album is looser and more free it has more rock like riffs neat drum fills and witty lyrics but who cares because they all add up to a big zero.i can't even understand or relate to this cd's vibe at all.so now weezer we must say goodbye and you must fade away like a childs imaginary friend... no longer real. hey rivers keep practicing your guitar maybe if you play fast enough you can go back in time to when you were normal.(please ignore all misspellings or misplaced emotions)
1542576
Well of course the sound is different, they got two new members but trust me this cd is awesome. GO BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!

 1. Set Phasers to Stun- awesome song!! my favorite of the entire album 10/10

 2. Bonus Mosh Pit 2- great song on the album, 9/10

 3. A Decade Under the Influence- the first single off this song is a great song with awesome lyrics, one of my fav. 10/10

 4. This Photograph is Proof( I know you Know)- eh? not one of my favorite songs but its still a really good song, 9/10

 5. The Union- Awesome song, my 2nd fav. on the album, 10/10

 6. New American Classic- good song but i haven't given this one enough listening time, but still great 9/10

 7. I Am Fred Astaire- great song that is pretty decent lyricly, 10/10

 8. Number Five With a Bullet- awesome song that is probably my 4th fav, 10/10

 9. Little Devotional- flippin great song that is my 3rd fav!!, 10/10

 10. ...Slowdance On The Inside- good closer, all i have to say, 10/10

 so go get this cd now, it is awesome and it comes with a bonus victory records sampler with the songs and videos to, Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Atreyu, Action Action, and ....i cant remember.
4045271
I love Weezer, and these baby-friendly versions of their songs are adorable. I am playing them for my son while he is in the womb, and I cannot wait to share them with him when he arrives in a few weeks. I like that Amazon immediately sent the link to download a digital copy of the album.
1857238
Music sucks today, let's face it. Emo and punk run the airwaves, and I've more or less lost faith in the people's current musical ability. Almost. Somehow, Red Hot Chili Peppers keep making awesome music....i don't know how, but they do. Stadium Arcadium isn't a masterpiece, but it's definitely a damn good double album. I've been looking for something like this for awhile, and I'm happy that there is a band in 2006 that can come up with good music. I'm seeing 'em in October, and they're gonna be awesome. Snow is the best song I've heard in a while, and Dani California, Stadium Arcadium, Hey, Torture Me, and Turn it Again are all excellent songs. Obviously it's a lot different than Blood Sugar Sex Magik, but c'mon these guys are getting older, physically and musically. This easily tops By the Way and Californication, and is different but on par with Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Its mellower, less funk-influenced, but if you listen to both albums it's kind of a nice change of pace. John Frusciante is without a doubt a very talented musician and I love his melodies. He has some cool solos in here, not too mention some addictive hooks (i.e. Snow). And Flea....that guy is what bass is all about. You don't hear the bass as much as you used to in their albums, but he's like a minor deity of bass guitar, so bow down. I mean, I'm more of a classic rock/metal kind of guy, but the Peppers are fantastic. They just know how to make music, plain and simple. I see a bright future for 'em. So do the musical universe a favor and buy this instead of whatever filth some trendy screamo group came out with and enjoy.
4633895
I must say the music of the last 10 years or so has been pretty boring. There are always exceptions, like Modest Mouse, The Killers,The National, Kings of Leon etc, but the Features have really taken it up a notch. Trying to listen to a full album from most bands is pretty tough. Listening to a Features record from start to finish is a delight. I discovered them on the cable music channel Palladia on accident. It was between concerts and their video for "Another One" (from Wilderness) came on. Wow, could not believe how good it was, and a pretty funny video too. I have loved all their stuff so far, but think this one is the best yet. The song "With Every Beat" is crazy good, and grabbed me immediately just like "Another One" did. "Won`t be long" is an incredible rocker, and good luck getting the bass line from "This Disorder" out of your head. The whole record is just solid. I pretty much have music on as much as possible throughout the day, and have been listening to this record non-stop since seeing them in concert in Milwaukee recently. They were about as nice as they get too, and would put them up there as one of the best live bands out there. Do not hesitate to see them if they come to your area. As for the preferred method of listening, the red vinyl is the way to go. Thanks to the band for another great record.
600608
Have been drawn to the Swedish music scene in the past few years after discovering H.e.a.t and Eclipse is another band I recently gave a chance and really enjoying their most recent release.  Actually, enjoying may not be strong enough...I'm absolutely loving it!

I had never really gotten hugely into Eclipse in the past.  I liked a couple songs off Are You Ready To Rock...Liked around 4 songs off Bleed & Scream...Never really even heard enough to buy those albums and only downloaded the tracks I liked.

I was expecting more of the same with Armageddoinze but I've been blown away by this album.  I think they managed to take all the best elements from the past 2 albums and found the perfect balance of everything I love about this style of melodic rock.

Armageddonize is full of good, melodic slightly harder type rock that basically fits with the 80's style of bands like Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, etc, etc.  I'd peg my early favorites as I Don't Want To Say I'm Sorry, Stand On Your Feet, The Storm, Breakdown and Caught Up In The Rush...But the whole album is really well produced and just sounds great.

Excellent job...Eclipse along with H.e.a.t are two bands that deserve to be recognized and it's too bad radio today is so lame that they don't play this type of music.  If these bands could find a way to tour the US opening for some more well known bands I think many people would take a liking to them.  These bands just don't get the opportunities here that they used to which is a shame because people can't like what they don't hear or don't know about.
2919082
I really think that this CD gets a bad wrap because since Weezer has gone COMPLETELY mainstream, people think they're cool and different to put it down. Well no matter how much air time these songs get, this is still a wonderful album.
Rivers has gone back to using some oldschool 70's guitar riffs, which really adds to the power of this album. Although I don't think the band will ever be the same since the departure of bassist Matt Sharp, this is the best stuff they've put out in a long time. 'Pinkerton' had a funky experimental sound and the 'Green album' sounded somewhat processed and poppy. This and the Blue album are the only ones that are without flaw in my book (although all four CD's are great). It's just good rock music, plain and simple.
2593442
I bought this record with high esteem. I put it in the cd player and went to the song i knew, "Wacko Jacko..." (my favorite song). Then i checked out the others... all were almost equally as good.

Their musical talent amazes me. One of the most technical bands out there, along with (old) Dillinger Escape Plan. Really, the only complaint I have is with his singing voice... its so emo and pop-y... it ruins a lot of it for me. I like my share of emo, but he has the kind of voice that just annoys me (WHINY!!!). HARDCORE FANS DO NOT FRET however, their is plenty of screaming.

This is a GREAT ALBUM that any guitarist or drummer alike can enjoy. Give it a listen.
1529319
I have every Weezer CD and think Weezer are a confusing band.  They started off a kind of alternative rock nerd band with some catchy tunes and songs for those broken hearted or just hopelessly romantic.  Pinkerton was the pinnacle of this and was a dark, not so poppy CD that many consider their best.  I don't disagree with this but consider the blue and Pinkerton to be equally good.  Green came out and everyone was shocked at the very short CD with really pop sounding unemotional lyrics.  Maladroit has been released and some say it's a step in the right direction and some say it's just Weezer continuing their fall over the skates on the staircase that they slipped on ever since they returned with green.  I like this CD.  Granted, I've only listened to it maybe 3 times, I do like it alot.  Songs like "Take Control", "Fall Together", "Slob", and "American Gigalo" kind of have a Pinkerton-ish sound to them and remind me of the good old mid-90s Weezer.  Songs like "Dope Nose", "Space Rock", "Burndt Jamb", and "Death and Destruction" are different sounding but kind of show off a progressive Weezer.  I personally think this is a step in the right direction for Weezer.  Of course, maybe the harder rockin' Weezer and the goatee Rivers is growing and all of this is one big joke for him and he is laughing that people actually like it.  Cuomo is an interesting man, that's for sure.