By Jason Boxer
Web Managing Editor
It must be tough to start a side-project. Even though the same amount of effort goes into writing the songs, mixing the master tapes, and promoting the album, people will still label a musician’s second band as this article just did, as a “side-project.”
The Relationship is led by Brian Bell, lead guitarist of Weezer. Although this band won’t achieve the same success of pop rock’s most beloved nerds, The Relationship are much more talented than the term “side-project” suggests.
The band’s self-titled debut, released on Nov. 30, is both a solid collection of relaxing pop rock songs and a great spotlight on the talents of its frontman.
Bell possesses a certain musical flair that does not shine through on Weezer’s records. His vocals are throaty and unique, as if Bob Dylan took singing lessons from Journey. His songwriting is mature, but remains easy to digest. Most importantly, his band’s new album has something that Weezer’s post-“Pinkerton” music lacks: subtleties.
“Please Help Me” is a good indication of the rest of the album. The Relationship write good pop songs, but in a relaxed way. “Please Help Me” embodies that perfectly: long, flowing verses eventually give way for a jumpy, Beatles-esque chorus complete with handclaps.
“Mother Night” (track four) is simply a beautiful song. Delicate instrumentation and powerful lyrics do a near-perfect job of placing the listener directly in the loving, maternal arms of a moonlit night.
The Relationship’s debut is not just an album for Weezer collectors. It might not even be an album for Weezer fans at all, actually. Weezer’s pop clichés aren’t completely abandoned by Bell and co., but instead expanded to make for a well-crafted, enjoyable debut.
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