Weezer Posts 'Raditude' Samples on iTunes

Weezer has enabled 30-second samples of the 10 tracks (plus 2 bonus tracks) from their upcoming album 'Raditude' on iTunes. With the purchase of an iTunes pass, fans also have access to weekly album and bonus tracks before the album drops Nov. 3.

The first single from 'Raditude,' "(If You're Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To" was released August 25. The second song released was "I'm Your Daddy" (available through the iTunes pass).

It's difficult to be surrounded by this Weezer hype without pondering the questions "Will Weezer finally return to form? Or will 'Raditude' simply continue the post-'Maldroit' funk that has descended upon the band?"

Frankly, it's a bit too soon to tell. By looks of this album, the old Weezer may be gone forever. However, I can confidently say that Weezer is going in a positive direction, even if they haven't returned to the level they consistently hit with their first four albums.

15 years after the release of their debut, Weezer seems more youthful than ever. They appear to have grown tired of the same songs and instruments and are trying new things. Pat Wilson has made the shift from drums to guitar, allowing Rivers Cuomo to perform solely as a vocalist. They have also traded in their sweaters for matching sweatsuits, reflective of their new polished sound. These changes are far more welcome than the Red Album's letting each member write a song and sing it (despite it's good intentions).

The last two Weezer albums both had a few good songs each, but 'Raditude' looks like it will have more. Both "I Want You To" and "I'm Your Daddy" are toe-tappingly catchy. And the 30-second sample of "I Can't Stop Partying" (the standout track on Rivers' stellar demo collection) sounds delicious. I can't wait to here Lil' Wayne's verse. The Indian-inspired vocals on "Love is the Answer" are a very pleasant surprise. None of the other samples really jumped out at me, but the mood of the record seems very upbeat and I'm slightly optimistic about it holding together as an album. Perhaps not at the level of the first four albums, but more than the disappointing last two. I hope I have not spoken too soon, but I like this new Weezer!

Ice Cold Summer

Last year, Heath Ledger captured our hearts with his Joker, one of the most memorable villains in recent film history. But 2009 offers us a villain even more groundbreaking: Summer Finn.

In "(500) Days of Summer" Zooey Deschanel played Summer, the object of protagonist Tom Hansen's affection. The narrator makes it clear at the film's start that it is not a love story. Summer and Tom will not end up together. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a pitch-perfect head-over-heels Tom that we can't help but root for (though it is in vain). But Deschanel steals the show with an ice queen performance to rival Tilda Swinton.

What made Ledger's Joker so great was how (for lack of a better word) "cool" he was. For such a sinister character, you really liked him. You wanted to see more of him. In "(500)," the narrator explains that, though Summer does not posses any extraordinary characteristics, she has a certain quality that demands attention. Deschanel hits this right on the head. Just like Ledger, you can't take your eyes off of her. It is Summer's likability that makes her so sinister and sets her apart from other villains.

Is Summer malicious? No. Violent? No. Conniving? Most likely not. Ruthless? You betcha. I felt like I should enjoy the tender moments between Summer and Tom, but I couldn't. Each time, Summer seemed to be stringing Tom along, neglectful of his feelings. She would casually mention that she didn't want a relationship, but continue to spend many an intimate moment with him. Though Tom's intentions were clearly sincere, she plays ignorant and uses him for her own ambitions. At times it even becomes angering to watch Summer ignore the feelings of such an earnest person.

Will Deschanel win an Oscar for her role? Probably not. But she certainly accomplished a lot with it. She invented a new kind of villain. She embodied all that made Summer attractive (quirky, graceful, funny) and still managed to let you hate her. The desire to see she and Tom together was just as strong as the urge to give her a piece of your mind. Isn't that what a villain is supposed to be? Hated and despised? I cannot even imagine feeling anything malevolent towards Ledger's Joker. Though Summer shows little regard for the hearts of others, Deschanel is winning over more and more with each view.