Weston's debut, A Real-Life Story of Teenage Rebellion, was so darn good not just because of the pop hooks and punky teen-dream attitude. There were also clumsy harmonies that evoked bumbling, high school outcasts fumbling for a date, as well as the
Weston boys' "la la love ya" lyrics. "Just Like Kurt" and the rockin', double-time cover of "You Were Always on My Mind" would make any youthful punk pogo. The Massed Albert Sounds is good for entirely different reasons.
Weston has gone the way of
Weezer geek rock, with slicker production, smooth harmonies, and some tight playing. This is a remarkable testament to their skill, considering that the album was recorded with what they call "the art of live production." Just don't expect the adolescent antics of years gone by. The
Pixies influence is still here though, maybe more than on any
Weston record. The band uses the loud-soft trick to full effect. The guitar crash and scream of "To Some I'm a Genius" will get you moving and the hushed love letter vocals of "Kiss Like an Angel" would make any surfer girl weak in the knees. "Wonderdrug" is another innocent love tune that could be ripped from the glam-psychedelia of
the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream. "Liz Phair" is a tribute to one of indie's favorite rockers and a public request for a date rolled into one. "Radio" is really the only song on The Massed Albert Sounds that is pure, early
Weston: scaled-down, live show punk rock. The guys have gotten technically proficient, and that's not a bad thing. ~ Charles Spano