Daveportivo's Cultural Evaluation Facility

Okay where to start with this record? Okay let's start with a refresher course. Weezer made a welcome return last year with the Red Album, depending on where you sit on these matters it was either a glorious return to form or just a decent pop record. Either way, it was great to have Rivers and Co back making music that was half way credibly and as deliciously ironic as ever. So fast forward to this week and we are greated with (If Your Wondering If I Want To) I Want You To the first single from the album of the same name. Well first things first, that's a horrible title whichever way you look at it. Trackwise, it's starts rather dubiously, it feels like the unholy offspring of George Michael's Faith and Hey Mickie! its light fun and bouncy, but all rather passe. The hook is pretty darn infectious, its a classic retrospective Rivers harmony. Speaking of Rivers his songwritting is as sharp and harmonious, but while it's a perfect example of sweety hitmaking 101 it lacks the decilous tongue in cheek wink and a nod that made Troublemaker and Greatest Man Whoever Lived so much thrilling. All in all (If Your Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To is a a perfect little pop record, punchy, catchy, fun, but scratch beneath the surface and there's no great depth. This one will be fun while it lasts but I doubt that in ten years time we'll be reminiscing about this track with the same fondness reversed for Say It Ain't So, My Name Is Jonas or Undone (Sweater Song). Ultimately ...I Want You To is cute, but a little too cute for it's own good.