There's much familiarity in the dynamics and hookiness of "Red," Weezer [ tickets ]'s third self-titled, color-coded album ("Blue" was released in 1994, "Green" in 2001), and sixth full-length set. However, unlike the brooding, stark "Pinkerton" or crystalline "Make Believe," "Red" is equal parts youthful devil-may-care "Blue" exuberance and approaching-40-something devil-may-care, well, exuberance. Therein lies its strength.Rivers Cuomo tackles many musical styles, lyrically laments that pesky aging process we all have to deal with, and sounds like he had a lot of fun doing it. With Rick Rubin and Jacknife Lee behind the production console, young-at-heart rocker singles like "Pork and Beans" and softer material like the name-dropping "Heart Songs" (Eddie Rabbit? Really?) have equal punch. And, yes, Cuomo is "finally dandy with the me inside." Maybe that's why he looks so comfortable in that cowboy hat.Epitomizing the aforementioned "many musical styles" earlier is "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)," which switches gears through rap, rock, acoustic-guitar, church-hall vocals with parade-drum backing, soul, punk, bouncing swing, and even some striking Beach Boy vocal harmonizing. If this one comes off live, it will be most impressive.There are dashes of funk ("Everybody Get Dangerous"), arena anthems ("Troublemaker"), and, in a democratic move, everybody gets a chance to sing lead. Guitarist Brian Bell does the great Everlast impression on his composition "Thought I Knew," and bassist Scott Shriner gets creepy on "Cold Dark World," which he co-wrote with Cuomo. Drummer Pat Wilson--who co-wrote three songs on "Blue"--delivers a straight-ahead thumper with "Automatic." They may look a bit older than on the cover of "Blue," but take a closer look. Devil may care.
