The Star Wars/Weezer Connection

The original Stars Wars films are pretty much regarded as being sacred. Especially A New Hope, which epitomized dazzling fun, and The Empire Strikes Back, the brilliant, dark follow up that took the series to some intense new levels of emotion.

Similarly, Weezer?s first two albums are widely regarded as quintessential examples of quality 90s pop/rock. The Blue Album was a widely successful debut filled with perfectly polished melodies. Its follow up Pinkerton was not as successful (initially dubbed a failure), but now many hardcore Weezer fans name this album as the band?s best because of its powerful, sometimes angry rock songs that exude emotion and explore the darker side of being alone or lonely.

After the release of the Star Wars trilogy and the first two Weezer albums, fans of both were subjected to a long layoff during which no new material was released. Finally, Lucas released the prequel films, and Weezer returned with two more albums. The prequels seem to have caused a rift in Star Wars fandom, with many loving them just as much as the old movies, while others blame them as being emotionless and poorly plotted when compared to their precursors. Weezer fans seem to have gone through the same thing, with some loving the new stuff while others name the two latest albums as lacking the same innovation and all around quality of the first two records.

Finally, this May will see the release of the final SW film, as well as Weezer?s latest effort (entitled Make Believe, if you?re curious.) Many fans are looking forward to what they?re sure will be another great movie and album, while others are holding on to some kind of hope that 2005 will bring material every bit as moving and well-made as the old stuff. Last week saw the release of the ROTS trailer, as well as the unveiling of the new Weezer album's cover art as well as a leaked few seconds of the first single. So far, fan reaction seems to be very positive about both.

And finally, both George Lucas and Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo often wear flannel.