Maladroit

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Maladroit
Maladroit cover
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
Weezer
(2001)
Maladroit
(2002)
Make Believe
(2005)
Singles from Maladroit
  1. "Dope Nose"
    Released: 2002
  2. "Keep Fishin'"
    Released: 2002

Maladroit is the fourth studio album released by Weezer.

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.

Fans greeted Maladroit with a mixture of emotions, and to this day, remains one of the least-appreciated albums, although most die-hard fans agree that it is underrated. In a 2005 interview with the LA Weekly, Cuomo would criticize his songwriting on Maladroit and praise the contributions of the other Weezer band members.

Track listing

Template:Maladroit previews

All songs written and composed by Rivers Cuomo. 
No. Title Length
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

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

See also

External links