We're still making noise, making noise

So, last night I saw Weezer in concert at Roseland. It was my first time seeing Weezer, and my first time at Roseland. I generally don't go into concerts with any sort of expectations anymore - I too frequently love love love a song that doesn't get played at the show, and then I'm sad. The last time I was really pumped for a concert was Bruce and the E Street Band at Giants Stadium. But I think it's safe to get pumped for Bruce - you know going in that he's going to play for three hours at a minimum, that he'll pull out some excellent classics (on the night I saw him, my highlight was definitely "Rosalita," although "Born to Run" and "Thunder Road" were also fantastic).

Oh right, I'm supposed to be talking about Weezer. First off, I had low expectations of Roseland, as Philly had said it sucked. With due deference to my much wiser friend when it comes to all things musical or concert-related, I respectfully dissent. I liked Roseland. Not too big, not too small. The sound was fine. We skipped the opening acts and were still able to get right in the middle and I could see the stage without standing on tippy toes. So, thumbs up on the venue.

I am pleased to report that I did indeed feel like I was 16 again (and in a good way). The show was definitely tailored to long-time fans - the boys only played five songs off of the new album, Make Believe, and I enjoyed them all, despite having low expectations after reading Pitchfork's review. I didn't spot anything off of Maladroit (which made me a little sad because I actually like that album), and they only played "Photograph," "Hash Pipe," and "Island in the Sun" off of the Green Album. I personally would have liked to hear "Knock Down Drag Out" off of the Green instead of "Photograph." Whatevs. That's just me being a Nitty McNitpick.

But what really made the show a good one for me was all the Blue Album. "My Name is Jonas," "No One Else," "Say It Ain't So," "Buddy Holly," "In the Garage," and of course, "The Sweater Song." Solid. I sang my little heart out, particularly on "No One Else" as that's Wendy's favorite Weezer song and I felt I needed to sing extra on her behalf. It's funny because my favorite songs off of that album now are "Holiday" and "Surf Wax America" (probably has something to do with the fact that those songs are about shirking work and responsibility) which were sadly not played.

The only downside was that during certain songs ("Hash Pipe," "Jonas" etc.) an improptu mosh pit started right next to us. Last weekend, my nephew accidentally punched me in the nose, and damn, that hurts. So I was a little nervous about getting punched. Plus, I never think of Weezer nerds as moshers, but hey, to each his own.

Opening and closing were Pinkerton's "Tired of Sex" and "The Good Life." Excellent. So, with the tiny addition of Surf Wax or Holiday, it really would have been the perfect set list for me.

Oh, and Wendy, you'll be happy to know that Rivers looked and acted as awkward and nerdy as ever... even at the ripe old age of 34. So apparently you never outgrow such things.