In last week’s paper I reviewed Alone, the new record of old material released by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo. Here’s what I said, in case you missed it:

RIVERS CUOMO
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
(Geffen)
***

If you want to convince your unknowing friend that Weezer’s infamous frontman Rivers Cuomo is (or used to be) a genius pop songwriter, buy them a copy of Weezer’s self-titled debut—aka “the Blue Album”—or Pinkerton, because Alone isn’t for those who are still deciding where (or if) Cuomo belongs in their life. These 18 tracks are the rough drafts of uncompleted songs, early demos of Weezer tunes, and loose constructions of musical thoughts that Cuomo has been hoarding for as long as 15 years.

But should you already have a weakness for (or an obsession with) the man’s ability to craft a charming and catchy pop tune, you’ll appreciate the hints of magic that appear through the collection’s veil of lo-fi sloppiness.

“Lover in the Snow” (1997) is my favorite. Though Cuomo admits the whole song is “fantasy,” “Lover in the Snow” is an upbeat, simplistic guitar/tambourine tune about seeing a past love with someone new, and the song is as vivid as anything the band have ever released. And unlike Weezer’s current inclination to rock, 1994’s “Longtime Sunshine” is all piano, drums, and clarinet. A slow waltz, the bittersweet song confesses desires to run away and start over. Other gems include “Wanda (You’re My Love),” the love song that predated “You Gave Your Love to Me Softly”; “Crazy One,” about a girl regrettably dumped; and “Chess,” the song that saved “the Blue Album.”

Thanks to Cuomo’s candid liner notes, we’re given a brief history of each song—where he was, what he was thinking, why the song is only appearing for the first time now; the stories are quick but endearing. And they also reveal that he’s a little weird, he falls in love quickly, and he’s not very good at rapping (but only a n00b wouldn’t already be fully aware of all those facts).

Most importantly, for fans who have been less than impressed with Weezer’s watered-down efforts of this century, Alone’s crop of fresh but familiar songs will take you back to a time you may have been missing, a time when Cuomo could connect like no other songwriter. MEGAN SELING

Yeah. So. This past week I’ve been sick. Like, really sick. Like, green-shit-coming-out-of-my-lungs sick. So I’ve had some time to sit around and listen to music. And sleep a lot. But also listen to some music. And the more I listened to Alone, the more I was reminded what a great songwriter Cuomo can be. His songs are good—sweet and catchy, but heartfelt. And Alone is full of my favorite Rivers. Not the rockstar Rivers that knows he can write a solid power pop anthem, but the Rivers that’s emotional and full of self-doubt.

These songs were never polished like later Weezer tunes. They’re still raw. They have some silly lyrics, some rough progressions, and some honest thoughts. It’s a really good collection and I’m glad Cuomo is either narcissistic enough or aware of his fanbase enough to have released it.

Just something to keep in mind while you’re thinking of what to get with those iTunes and record store gift cards you racked up over the holidays.