New releases, Tuesday, November 3

Weezer decided to name their new album Raditude. This is quite possibly the least annoying thing about the record. I can’t help but wonder if Rivers Cuomo has completely left the realm of serious musicianship and gone straight into the realm of post-modern comedy. A track called “I’m Your Daddy”? A guest spot from Lil Wayne? The whole album sounding like an arena rock tribute act? I just don’t know anymore. I thought “Beverly Hills” was the nadir, but it seems that the band is intent on becoming…something. Who knows what?

Of course, Shwayze is probably what all the kids are after today. A rapper and a guy who’s best known for banging Mischa Barton together in a group that’s named after the pronunciation of a famous actor using a lateral lisp? Oh, boy! How could I pass that up? Seriously, though — the guy’s got some flow, and there’s a guest appearance by the Knux, so even though the whole thing’s a little light in terms of depth, it’ll get you movin’ on the dance floor pretty well. (BTW, Shwayze’s coming to the Granada on November 19 as part of LMFAO‘s Party Rock Tour. FYI. LOL.)

In terms of musical depth and authenticity, there’s really only one act to look at this week: fucking Slayer. (I’m obligated by the metal code to introduce them as such.) Their new album is entitled World Painted Blood, and is accompanied by a DVD that seems to be creepy and evil, designed to make one question the nature of God and humanity. Case in point: the video for “Playing With Dolls” is nearly twenty minutes long and is “a 12-part nightmare that breathes corrupt life into Slayer’s latest syllabus of stalkers, psychopaths and serial killers, following the gruesome outbursts of a nameless protagonist.”

One finds it rather difficult not to begin listening to any Morrissey release without thinking, “Oi, Mozzer! Why’s you so sad, then?” This is especialy true considering the massive amount of success the man’s had over the course of his career. However, considering that Swords is just a collection of b-sides from the former Smiths frontman’s last three solo albums, it’s not as if he’s got a selection of news tunes over which to exult. The album’s for the fans — I’ve listened to it several times, and by about halfway through, you pretty much tune it out.