Weezer, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END

Weezer is back!  The alternative rockers seem to be taking stock of themselves -- the music scene, a few disappointing albums, and growing up and growing old -- with their latest release Everything Will Be Alright in the End.

It's hard to separate the personal and professional on this album.  Is the lonely (but rockin') opening "Ain't Got Nobody" about a lack of romance  or a seemingly vanishing fan base?  )"Ain't got nobody/to really love me:)  What about "Foolish Father," which could be about making amends with a flawed parent ("forgive your foolish father/he did the best that he could do") or the flawed music scene music scene ("simple love songs/drenched in boring love songs/coming out a long song").

Of course, Weezer is aware of their growing history as a rock band, and the problems that come with it.  "Back to the Shack" has the band singing about returning to their roots, as well as society going back to music ("let's turn up the radio/let's turn off those stupid singing shows") while "Eulogy for a Rock Band" is an almost-touching goodbye to those bands we love and know are gone for good.  And it's hard to miss the frustration with the fans and audience in "I've Had It up to Here."

The lyrics, singing, and music all work well on Everything Will Be Alright in the End.  There's even a slick sense of humor, like having the unabashedly romantic "Da Vinci" followed by a song where the woman tells the man "Go away, go away" repeatedly.  I was disappointed with the songs "The British are Coming" and "Cleopatra," but the rest of the album works very well.  The album ends with "The Futurescape Trilogy," three songs (two instrumental) that suggest yes, things will be alright after all.  Let's hope that that's a sign Weezer isn't done with music, or us, yet.

Overall grade: A-
Reviewed by James Lynch

The Pixies, INDIE CINDY

The Pixies were a massively influential alternative rock band, inspiring everyone from Nirvana and grunge to Sugar and Bob Mould with their bass-electric guitar combos, wailing lead singer, and odd and dark lyrics.  But their last studio was in 1991 (Trompe le Monde), followed by solo projects by lead singer Frank Black/Black Francis and bassist Kim Deal (and her new band the Creatures).  But the Pixies have (mostly) returned with Indie Cindy, their latest album that is a bit more mellow but still very welcome.

On this album Kim Deal has been replaced by Ding on bass, but the rest of the band is here: Frank Black singing and playing guitar, David Lovering on drums, and Joey Santiago on lead guitar.  The band's signature sound is present, from the loud intro "What Goes Boom" through the steady pounding of "Bagboy" There's also the bizarre lyrics, from a romance with aliens in "Andro Queen" ("for what's missing I'll sacrifice my flesh/only kissing you is so hard in this wild thresh") to the shouted refrain of "Bagboy:" "Cover your breath!  Polish your teeth!").

But Indie Cindy also feels a bit more... mellow and nostalgic.  The songs aren't as stark or brash as previous Pixies tunes, and "Ring the Bell" and "Jaime Bravo" actually have a mellow feel to them.  There's missing the Garland in "Ring the Bell," while the title track could be the band acknowledging how much alternative music has moved on from them in the present ("Indie Cindy, be in love with me/I beg for you to carry me").

Indie Cindy doesn't all fit together perfectly (many songs were released as singles before the album) but it's a good return for a great band -- and a reminder that alternative music can be messy and confusing as well as original and loud.

Overall grade: B+
Reviewed by James Lynch