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All Rivers Cuomo, All Alone

Rarities record is half-great

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 18, 2007 2:52 PM CST

(Newser) – Onetime geek gods Weezer have been nothing but disappointing this century, PopMatters’ Evan Sawdey says, so thank heaven for Alone, lead singer Rivers Cuomo’s solo “album of one-offs, hard-to-finds, and unreleased material.” Much of the record dates from the band’s Pinkerton golden age, and the eight (of 18) songs that are listenable are some of his “strongest material” ever.

The rare tunes include four from an unreleased rock opera; Cuomo’s satisfied to be imperfect, and his “disarmed honesty” is a welcome surprise. Less impressed is Rolling Stone’s Christian Hoard, who expected the “weirder side” of Weezer’s frontman to emerge. Instead the music feels “same-y and undercooked, and without a band to push him along, Cuomo’s sad-dude act gets old fast.”

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has a new solo album out, Alone. (Getty Images)

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer at The Latin Lounge club (Getty Images)

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Rarities record is half-great

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Ex-Weezer Bassist Dies in Hotel

Drug overdose suspected in death of Mikey Welsh

Rivers Cuomo Recovering Well

Weezer frontman still in hospital following crash, but feeling good

Rivers Cuomo Injured in Weezer Bus Crash

Indie darlings were en route from Toronto to Boston

Just in Time for Xmas: Weezer Snuggie

Act now! For a limited time only!

New Weezer Video Rules, Borrows From YouTube

'Pork and Beans' boasts 21st-century all-star cast

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All Rivers Cuomo, All Alone

Rarities record is half-great

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Weezer • Rivers Cuomo • solo record • Pinkerton • music review

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Ex-Weezer Bassist Dies in Hotel

Drug overdose suspected in death of Mikey Welsh

Rivers Cuomo Recovering Well

Weezer frontman still in hospital following crash, but feeling good

Rivers Cuomo Injured in Weezer Bus Crash

Indie darlings were en route from Toronto to Boston

Just in Time for Xmas: Weezer Snuggie

Act now! For a limited time only!

New Weezer Video Rules, Borrows From YouTube

'Pork and Beans' boasts 21st-century all-star cast

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?