The tweet that started it all. “@RiversCuomo it’s about time you bless the rains down in Africa.” The tweet that inspired Weezer’s 2018 single, a cover of Toto’s 1978 hit “Africa.”  After “Africa” skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, Weezer decided to capitalize on the success of the cover, and the Teal Album was born.

   The cover album incorporates a variety of decades, ranging from the late 60’s classic “Happy Together” by The Turtles to TLC’s 90’s  hit, “No Scrubs.” It’s impossible not to sing and dance along to the songs you’ve grown up hearing, well, everywhere.

  As I listened to the Teal Album, I was excited for Weezer to amplify the covers through some of its quirky punk-rock undertones, but the band remained faithful to the originality of each song, replicating each almost exactly.

  The synthetic intro to “Take On Me” by Tears for Fears is entirely mirrored through Weezer’s cover. Though this may be the faulty aspect of the album, as no song surprises the listener, it may also be the reason for the album’s current success.

  Each original song is delivered justice through a refreshing reboot. There may not be a new sound incorporated throughout the Teal Album, but that is what makes it enjoyable to listen to. The album is a payment of respect to the many different artists covered. I’ve been playing “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” on repeat.

  You probably wouldn’t add “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath to the same playlist as “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, but for an unknown reason, Weezer somehow makes the combination flow together seamlessly.

  Although the Teal Album definitely doesn’t fully encompass Weezer’s classic sound, this album won’t fail to make you sing along the lyrics as you listen. The Teal Album is a fun record that will keep fans excited for their upcoming album, the Black Album, which is to be released later this month.