Maladroit
by Weezer

From Larcx13 11/13/2020 01:02 | #260733

There's some memorable songs here that make it worth listening to at least half of it. I actually used to love this like 10 years ago. I realize now... not their greatest.

1. 50
2. 90
3. 90
4. 65
5. 65
6. 75
7. 90
8. 20
9. 90
10. 60
11. 20
12. 50
13. 95

After the iconic Blue, the dark Pinkerton and the disappointingly safe Green, Weezer put out a completely different fourth record. Maladroit is a power-pop extravaganza; louder, tougher and less melodic than anything they've put out before or since. The lyrics are still as simple as ever, Rivers Cuomo still doesn't sound like a rock singer, but damn are those guitars heavy and those riffs cool. Other than on songs like Dope Nose, Keep Fishin', December and possibly Slave, this direction just doesn't suit a band like Weezer. It's fresh and unique, yes, but the lack of hooky choruses and the trademark harmonies makes this record feel like a desperate attempt from the band to sound like something else.
The best things coming out of this album are the more confident guitar play and the wider experimentation on tracks such as Death and Destruction and Burndt Jamb. The guitars in particular, with plenty of solos, riffs and sharp edges help the songs feel like more than just parodies.
Then there are absolutely atrocious songs, like Space Rock and Possibilities. The less said about them, the better.

From cestuneblague 03/30/2020 09:04 | #249289

Definitely Weezer's most interesting 21st century release, by that alone it deserves the most praise of any of their post-Pinkerton releases... even if every time it feels like it's all starting to click it takes an ill-advised detour. Still it was nice to see some geniune creativity after the reheated leftovers of the green album (and let's not mention the few albums that followed)

From thirstyDog 07/21/2019 20:33 | #240092

Why don't people realize this is by far Weezer's best post-Pinkerton album? Whyyy?!

From Brad1770 06/15/2019 00:45 | #237534

IMHO Weezer go 4 for 4 with 'Maladroit' with another power pop under rated gem

It's far from perfect with a couple of misses in the sappy "Death And Destruction" and cheesy "Burndt Jamb" , the remaining 11 tracks are good to great

Why does rivers get so much hate ? Very few bands can claim to have 4 great album releases to kick off their career . Weezer have done exactly that

From LebowskiRams 01/11/2019 20:10 | #229500

If it weren't for Possibilities, Fall Together and Love Explosion, this would be a damn-near perfect album

Everyone has an opinion on which Weezer album is the most underrated. To me, it is Maladroit. I think it's their 3rd best album, after Pinkerton and Blue. The production is great, the songs are full of energy, but the lyrics are still generic and of no interest. "Dope Nose" and "Burndt Jamb" are probably my 2 favorite songs from Weezer. That being said, this is a good album for Weezer, but not necessarily a great album in the great scheme of things. 6,5/10

7.8/10

Maladroit is Weezer's most underrated album. Green Album disappointed fans too much and Maladroit was just similar enough to the Green Album to get roped in with the same reputation.

There are subtle differences that make this better. It rocks harder with more force than any other Weezer record. The heavier almost metal sound makes it a more memorable record compared to Green Album even if the lyrics are still generic.

Guitar riffs and licks are better here too with more solo's.

I like the record, I rank it 3rd in their catalogue. I haven't listened to their album's in the 2010's which have been well received so Maladroit may drop for me eventually.

But it is better than anything else in the 2000's

From meccalecca 03/12/2013 15:42 | #68003

I think this album always suffered form the backlash/disappointment caused by the Green Album. It's not nearly as good as Pinkerton or their debut, but I personally think this is their best post-Pinkerton record, and I can barely listening to any of the albums that followed Maladroit.