Book: River's Edge: The Weezer Story
By John D. Luerren (ECW Press)
Reviewed by Jeremy Barker

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There are Weezer fans, and then there are Weezer fans. John D. Luerssen, author of River's Edge, a band biography, is one such fan. From the very beginning of the book, Luerssen makes it clear that the biography is not authorized, and that Rivers Cuomo, enigmatic front man and band leader, did what he could to keep it that way. So instead of going to the band for information, Luerrsen went to former band mates, former roommates, and anyone else that would talk to him. He even takes information from the Weezer.com message boards. If you look hard enough (which isn't really all that hard), you can even find him posting about various Weezer-related things.

Cuomo was wise to withhold his blessings. The book doesn't put him, or his one time band mate, Matt Sharp, into a favorable light. In a biographic light, their egos seem to exceed those of any David Lee Roths or Brett Michaels. But while Cuomo comes off as a disaffected and sometimes disillusioned genius, Sharp just comes off as an ass hole. Just ask Cherielynn Westrich. After not getting paid for her time in The Rentals, Sharp's side band, she's denied even the opportunity to go home after Sharp steals her plane ticket.

This book definitely wouldn't appeal to people who aren't Weezer fans already. The problem with this is that the target audience already knows everything that Luerssen chronicles in the book. Anyone who can get on to the web boards at Weezer.com can find most of the information on their own if they are so inclined.

The book is well written for the most part, and it'll be great for the "weekend" Weezer fan or fans of pop music who remember "Buddy Holly." Overall, if you're curious about the band and don't feel like going to Weezer.com, this is the book for you. If you like well written rock journalism, you'll enjoy this book. But if you're just looking for something to put next to the toilet, I'd avoid this.

© 2004 - Jeremy Barker