CD Review

Artist: Rivers Cuomo

Title: Alone – The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo

Label: Geffen Records

Released: December 18^th 2007 

2 ½ Stars 

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey 

Rivers Cuomo has been in the music business since 1987 with the band Avant Garde (Zoom), but he is probably best known as the front man for Weezer, who brought us the hit ‘Buddy Holly.’ A true evolution of the rock born from the grunge era, this collection of Cuomo’s personal history from the debut album of Weezer in 1994 to the present day Alone – The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo is a gathering of demos, the occasional recorded conversation, and general experimentation of music. For hard core Weezer fans, this debut solo album will be just enough to wet their palate while waiting for the ever-promised treatise of Rivers Cuomo in written form, from ’92-’94, initially intended to go alongside this album, but never made to full fruition (yet). 

I’ve seen Cuomo in many interviews and do seem drawn to his personality, he appears to have a level of conviction about his thoughts, without mandating, but he also seems to have a strong desire for knowledge and self-analysis; Cuomo appears to be a man who likes to learn about himself, others, and the world in which he lives. You get a real sense of that personal analysis and musical experimentation with Alone. 

However, with so much intellect and thoughtful learning and growth, it is almost sad to think that Cuomo, and Weezer in general, has not produced a lot of classic songs, or hits that have captured an audience like the ‘Buddy Holly’ instant success. I felt exhausted by Alone, it was pensive, mostly off key, and a compilation meant for the most ardent Weezer fan that would find merit within these demos and partial tracks. I, on the other hand, will need two strong Tylenol.

‘Lemonade,’ ‘Crazy One’ and ‘Buddy Holly’ seemed to be the most enjoyable songs in this collection, but overall not many of the tracks had much appeal. How can that happen? Well I believe that Cuomo was born to late, he seems to make real magic with music when he does dip into the Buddy Holly & The Crickets era of music where rock was just being formed and as pliable as playdoh. I was disappointed by this collection, but if you are a ‘true’ fan of Weezer, I think you will enjoy its behind-the-scenes studio quality.   

1. Ooh
2. The World We Love So Much" (Gregg Alexander cover)
3. Lemonade
4. The Bomb (Ice Cube cover)
5. Buddy Holly
6. Chess
7. Longtime Sunshine
8. Blast Off!
9. Who You Callin' Bitch?
10. Wanda (You’re My Only Love)
11. Dude We're Finally Landing
12. Superfriend
13. Lover In The Snow
14. Crazy One
15. This Is The Way
16. Little Diane (Dion cover)
17. I Wish You Had An Axe Guitar
18. I Was Made For You