Maladroit
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Maladroit | |||||
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Studio album by Weezer | |||||
Released | May 14, 2002 | ||||
Recorded | December 2001 at Cello Studios, Los Angeles | ||||
Genre | Alternative Rock | ||||
Length | 33:43 | ||||
Label | Geffen | ||||
Producer(s) | Weezer with Chad Bamford and Rod Cervera | ||||
Professional reviews | |||||
Metascore | 72 | ||||
Weezer chronology | |||||
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Singles from Maladroit | |||||
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Maladroit is the fourth studio album released by Weezer.
Contents
Writing
During the latter half of 2001, with new bassist Scott Shriner freshly in the lineup, Rivers Cuomo began to write many new songs, and their overall style reflected a harder rock. At the time, he was reading lots of Nietzsche. He said in a magazine, "I want to conquer far and wide in the name of Weezer." Determined to make them the greatest band in the world, Rivers ironically took an approach that upset many fans and the rest of the band. He took complete control of Weezer in a way that he previously never had. He was writing new songs at a furious pace, as evidenced by their BBC performance that summer - rather than the standard re-recording of released songs, all new songs were recorded, which included many songs that would eventually appear on their next album. As the touring behind The Green Album wore on, the material became progressively heavier, as new song after new song was debuted. Soundboard recordings of demo sessions and live performances from the Midget Tour were posted on the official website throughout the summer and fall.
Recording
For more info, please see the main article.
The first attempt at a fourth album was made at Steak House and Cello studios from October through November. Although a proposed, twelve-track album was more or less completed by November 10th, the recordings were inexplicably shelved.
The band re-entered the studio in mid-December of 2001, and began to make demos of songs from the Steak House/Cello sessions, as well as other songs that were written prior to, but not attempted at, those sessions. Furthermore, a few new songs were introduced, a Summer Song was rescued from obscurity at the urging of fans, and a cover song was even attempted, if only half-heartedly. These demos sessions soon evolved into serious recording, and by January, an album was taking shape.
Fan Interaction
During the Maladroit sessions, Rivers became very interested in what fans had to say about Weezer and their new recordings. To Rivers, the fans on Weezer boards played the part of a record producer, but with a non-jaded insight. They knew Weezer better, they were not motivated by money, and they were easy to talk to. Setting up a message board, Rivers began corresponding with fans, first through Karl, and eventually on his own under the username "Ace" (a reference to Ace Frehley). On any given day, Weezer would go into the studio, record all new songs, post them online for fans to download and critique, then the next day they would take the advice into consideration and attempt new lyrics, bridges, solos, arrangements, etc. Eventually, the relationship between Rivers and the fans grew less and less friendly. Rivers, frustrated with the fans attacking his new songs and loving only his old ones, rewrote the lyrics to the song "Space Rock", which chronicles the relationship he had with his fans. Still, overall, Rivers and Weezer did indeed take the opinions of fans into consideration. Even the album's name, Maladroit, was a fan suggestion.
Release
Maladroit was released on May 14, 2002, and was self-produced like Pinkerton (Rivers would say 'unproduced'). The gap between The Green Album and Maladroit was the shortest gap between any two Weezer albums at a day short of one year, although this record has since been beaten with the release of Hurley ten months after Raditude. The man on the cover is Rupert Peasley. The cover was ranked as one of "The Worst Record Covers of All Time" by Pitchfork Media in 2005.
As with all Weezer albums, it was an album of firsts. It was the first album to feature current bassist Scott Shriner after the breakdown and departure of Mikey Welsh, the first to contain a booklet with lyrics (which included a special message thanking Weezer boardies), and the first to venture beyond ten tracks. The first 600,000 copies were numbered in a limited edition, with gold foildigits at the bottom corner.
Reception
Maladroit received strong reviews at the time of release, but remains one of the band's lowest selling albums. The album's only singles, "Dope Nose" and "Keep Fishin'" received respectable radio play and MTV circulation, propelled by popular music videos, but failed to really get the album off the ground.
The album tends to be divisive among fans, frequently being criticized for it's songwriting and the elsewhere mentioned "unproduced"-ness. Other hardcore fans seem to strongly enjoy it, and it remains well-liked by casual fans.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Rivers Cuomo.No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "American Gigolo" | 2:42 |
2. | "Dope Nose" | 2:17 |
3. | "Keep Fishin'" | 2:52 |
4. | "Take Control" | 3:05 |
5. | "Death and Destruction" | 2:38 |
6. | "Slob" | 3:08 |
7. | "Burndt Jamb" | 2:39 |
8. | "Space Rock" | 1:53 |
9. | "Slave" | 2:53 |
10. | "Fall Together" | 2:02 |
11. | "Possibilities" | 2:00 |
12. | "Love Explosion" | 2:35 |
13. | "December" | 2:59 |
Total length: |
33:43 |
International bonus tracks
- "Island in the Sun"
- "Living Without You" (UK and Japan only)
Mini movies
- The Quiet Storm
- "Dope Nose" (Live)
- "Death and Destruction" (Live)
- "Burndt Jamb (Live)
- The Cobo Challenge
- "Keep Fishin'" (Live)
- "Take Control" (Live)
Personnel
- Rivers Cuomo – lead guitar, lead vocals
- Patrick Wilson – drums
- Brian Bell – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Scott Shriner – bass guitar, backing vocals