From: xxx [mailto:xxx@mindspring.com]
When Weezer starts recording for #4, do you anticipate that its going to be over a pretty brief period of time like all the demos we've been getting? Its great that Rivers wants to get the next album out ASAP, but I really, really hope that he takes alot of time on recording it and getting the songs down, making great solos and arrangements like back in the day. It seems like Rivers is writing a song a day and making a demo of these songs and then moving right along - Its great that we're so many songs, but I think its a conscensus among the fan base that it would be awesomer if Rivers would really take time on songs & lyrics (you can only hear "games you play" in so many songs, heh...not that I care about personal lyrics, I think the summer songs were a good middle ground, not so lame yet not so personal)
And, about Purification of Water...I couldn't help but notice that Rivers said the version that got out is "inferior"...any chance that we'll ever get the superior version or is that wishful thinking? We all know that Rivers is very critical about all his old recordings, but hows he feel that everyone loves this song, chess, kitchen tapes, etc?
thanks,
xxx
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr. xxx,
You're right: we should take more time in the studio this time around. I'm with you 100%.
I can't behind the "personal lyrics" thing, however. I think the only good lyrics are bad lyrics, if you know what I mean.
Sincerely,
Rivers Cuomo
From: xxx [mailto:xxx@mindspring.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 4:37 PM
To: karl@weezer.net
Subject: Karl: please read, thoughts/Q's for Rivers
Hey Karl and Rivers,
As a poster of the Weezer EZ board, I've had the opportunity to read a few of your answers to some of the questions that have been on many a Weezer fan's mind, mostly regarding your voice and your approach to song writing. You have no idea how much your recent treatment of the fans - through answering our Q's, releasing the summer songs, and putting out these bootlegs and demos - has, for lack of a better word, improved morale among your fanbase and is very much appreciated. With that being said, I wanted to toss my two cents into the pool of your other thousands of backseat drivers. I'll try to take things one at a time and give my honest opinion on each topic:
Your Voice and Concerts - From the most recent shows I've heard, your voice has much improved. After the summer of 2k, there was a period that your voice seemed to have changed. In both Green and the summer 2k1 demos, your voice had sort of a quiver to it. I've seen some describe it as having taken on a "whiny" quality. In my opinion, your voice was at its best from the recording of Velouria up to and through the summer 2k shows.
Regarding concerts, all I've got to say is bring back the Marshalls and rock.
Song Writing - What can I say here? I read a recent letter you sent to gogokain in which you cited that you are trying to take a Beatles/Nirvana approach to writing new songs. I enjoy the new songs more than Green (don't get me wrong, I like Green alot), but I really think that there is one, and only one flaw to this approach: You are taking the formualiac approach to song writing, like Nirvana + early Beatles, when you were doing awesome as Weezer. There are probably a million people who enjoy Weezer more than the Beatles and Nirvana, the two bands that are recognized as the most influential musicians of our modern music. That is no small feat, and it is a testament to YOUR style of writing the songs on Blue and Pinkerton.
I say stick to what works and write your music instead of the formula's music. Falsetto, Subtleties, and Solos - The triumverate that launches Pinkerton and Blue light years ahead of Green. To me, the falsetto, guitar intros, harmonicas, and countless subtleties in your songs are the very things that characterize Weezer. Alot of musicians can make a mediocre song by putting a melody over some power chords, but you were able to make classic and timeless songs with them on Blue and Pinkerton through employing the above.
The first time I heard Pinkerton on headphones, I was flooded with a number of things I hadn't noticed before..barely audible background vocals, awesome guitar fills, the incredible bassline of Getchoo, etc...Pinkerton, along with Blue, aren't my favorite albums because of lyrics, they are my favorite albums because the music kicks, pure and simple. This is what Green was lacking. I don't know why, maybe it was because yall didn't have enough time in the studio like you did for Pinkerton. As for solos, there is no doubt in my mind that you can write incredible solos that add to a song ten fold. But the melody solos...they just sound like they're in there to fit the formula and really add nothing to the songs. I know alot of solos on Blue were based on the melody, but they were put in places where they really sounded good. We all know you've got the talent, but what we don't understand is why its being used on 2 minute pop songs? (admittedly, enjoyable pop songs).
The Weezer Climax - Something that the new stuff seems to be missing. All classic weezer songs have a high point, or climax; for example, the end of TWHTALMH, Undone, the "whoa whoa whoa whoa" part on No Other One, Only in Dreams, The part in Buddy Holly where all music stops and the little solo guitar part comes in, etc. This is a main reason that the solos are sorely missed. Often, the climax was at the solo (i.e. Say It Aint So, O-Girl, Tired of Sex). Alot of Weezer songs build up to a certain point and then release, creating a really awesome energy and dimension to them. This is something that seems to be MIA.
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr. xxx,
The irony is that what I really want to do, if left to my own devices, iswrite songs without those ultimate climax points. The only reason I bring up Nirvana and the Beatles is because they managed to do this. It's not that I want to copy THEIR formula, it's that I want to invent my own. Clearly, I have not achieved this yet. Sometimes I'm tempted to give up, but I want it so badly that I can't.
I count on people like you to slap me back into reality if I'm just chasing a dream.
Sincerely,
Rivers Cuomo