String Quartet Tribute To Weezer: Come On And Kick Me CD

While its pop art graphics and smarmy liner notes ("one listen to these outstanding performances and you'll remember that it's 'hip to be square' again!") threaten to capsize The String Quartet Tribute to Weezer before it even shoves off, the whole concept of string-quartet renditions of postmodern, quirky pop songs is, well, postmodern and quirky. It's fun to hear cello and viola emulate "Buddy Holly"'s wall of chugging guitars, and the violins' glass-shattering replication of the anguished guitars in "Say It Ain't So"'s chorus is worth the price of admission alone. This tribute might also inadvertently offer some insight into Rivers Cuomo's songwriting muse -- somehow, the melody of "El Scorcho" sounds like "Swanee River" when rendered by string instruments. ~ Johnny Loftus

Performed by some of the most innovative & successful string ensembles, 'Come On & Kick Me! The String Tribute To Weezer' brings plenty of verve to Weezer's best-loved songs. Vitamin Records. 2003.

Personnel: Deni Bonet (violin, viola); Tom Ferguson (violin); Linda Davis (viola); Claire Stancarone, Gary Tussing (cello); Michael McEvoy, Michael Goetz (double bass).

Audio Mixers: Aaron Gant; Eric Helmuth.

Recording information: Eric H. Sound Portchester, New York, NY; The Count's Chateau, Philadelphia, PA.

Arrangers: Doug Munro; Michael McEvoy.

Personnel includes: Deni Bonet (violin, viola); Jim Lichtenberger, Toni Ferguson, Gloria Justen (violin); Linda Davis, Scott Wagner (viola); Gary Lee Tussing, Claire Stancarone, Helena Espvall-Stantoleri (cello); Michael J. McEvoy, Michael Goetz (double bass).

Tributee: Weezer.