Out of the GardenOut of the Garden, Jess Abbott's second record under the Tancred moniker, is the best Weezer record to come out this year. The album is packed with fuzzy pop hooks, and lyricism that comes from the Cuomo School of Melancholy. The album shifts from sunny, surf-rock moments, to harder, grunge-tinged songs like the heavy "Not Likely" that pairs an unrelenting, distorted guitar riff with Abbott's doubled, haunting vocals. The album bounces back from this grim rocker to the '90s rock anthem "Pens," complete with shredding guitar and a hyper-catchy chorus. Abbott's lyric work on the chorus is next level, too" "I'm insanely healthy in my head / It's crazy how stable I am" has my vote for lyric of the year.
Opening cut "Bed Case" is hands down the standout here, a surf number that riffs on similar vibes to, say, Best Coast — feel-good, Californian and hooky guitar. What Tancred does best is take pretty heavy themes and dress them up in really catchy, really fun rock tunes.
(Polyvinyl)Opening cut "Bed Case" is hands down the standout here, a surf number that riffs on similar vibes to, say, Best Coast — feel-good, Californian and hooky guitar. What Tancred does best is take pretty heavy themes and dress them up in really catchy, really fun rock tunes.