If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Renee Carey The Relationship formed back in 2007 as Brian Bell's Weezer side project. (I could have sworn it was much earlier, but that was his previous side project, Space Twins.) Listening to The Relationship, it feels like Weezer is his job that pays da bills, and The Relationship is where he gets to artistically express himself. To be fair, The Relationship isn't groundbreaking. Their latest song, "Break Me Open," is a classic song in the style of The Relationship. It's a throwback to a throwback. In the mid to late 90s, there was this resurgence of bands playing music reminiscent of the groovy 60s and early 70s, and wearing vintage polyester shirts to match. That's what "Break Me Open" reminds me of. If you're looking for vintage Weezer (or whatever it is they do now), you're not going to find it here. This is pure southern California groove. Plus, it lets Brian Bell let loose on a guitar, and that's always welcome. Yo...

Now that Weezer have recently released their first good album in 13 years, it's now safe to start re-exploring some of the side projects and related bands. Brian Bell's side project, The Relationship, has a new single coming out on April 8. The A side, "Oh Allen," can be listened to now. I always liked his previous side project, Space Twins, but had never really paid attention to The Relationship. That's going to change with this new song. It's just pure upbeat power-pop that draws heavily on the 70s and 90s, which are obviously the two golden eras of power-pop. It's reminiscent of bands like Fountains of Wayne, Cheap Trick, and Big Star. The Relationship aren't revolutionizing anything, but if you like your rock and roll with big, fuzzy guitars and catchy as hell choruses, this is for you. The Relationship also features Nate Shaw of U.S. Bombs on guitar. "Oh Allen" will be out on Burger Records April 8. You can listen to it below. For m...