But I digress, this is supposed to be a review of Weezer's new album, and not an intoxicated lit-crit analysis of Jim Henson's creations or bitter rehashing of my social life. After taking a long hiatus after 1996's excellent Pinkerton, the band came out with the Green Album in 2001, which had several catchy hits, but was in every way inferior to the band's first two albums, and was less than 30 minutes long. Unfortunately the latest album, Maladroit, doesn't correct any of the shortcomings of Green Album.

The album has its good points. With heavier guitar sounds, the band is following a refreshing new path, with an almost metal undertone throughout. However, aside from Keep Fishing, which is one of the band's greatest songs yet, and perhaps the second single Dope Nose, the rest of the album is listenable, but totally unremarkable. The album does offer up variety, but none of the diverse group of songs rise above the stuff coming out of a dozen unspectacular Emo bands.

It may be unfair to compare Maladroit to Weezer's first two offerings (which are two of the finest records of the 1990's), but the latest album just doesn't match up to the band's previous efforts. Hard core fans will probably want to pick it up, as it does have a couple of good songs, but for more casual listeners, Maladroit is a pass.