Since their debut on the scene in 1994, reviews of Weezer’s subsequent albums have paled in comparison. Fans, myself included, have stood by the band as Pinkerton, The Green Album, Maladroit and Make Believe saw occasional commercial success with pop-like singles but nothing lasting.

But we held out. We found and embraced the good stuff (Pinkerton’s been in my heavy rotation since high school) where snooty reviewers and the general public saw weak pet projects. And now, for Weezer and music fans alike, the long wait may be over.

A few days ago, the band released their 6th disc, (a third self-titled album dubbed The Red Album), and early reviews of the album are positive. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping Weezer may finally get the respect they deserve.

One telling lyric says it best, “Timbaland knows the way to reach the top of the charts/Maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art.” It didn’t take production mastermind Timbaland, just a return to the riffs, attitude and fun that made Weezer famous. In the same vein, the video for Pork And Beans celebrates YouTube superstars with a veritable galaxy of accidental celebrities. Perfect, for the band’s return to critical and hopefully commercial success.

Before diving in to the new disc, take some time to embrace how far these fellas have come. I put together a playlist of some of my favorite Weezer tracks and you can listen to it online. I promise you’ll be a believer in 40 minutes or less.

Is anyone else out there a long-time Weezer fan? Or do you have experience following a band religiously despite sour albums, or bad press (I’m talking to you Guns N Roses fans)? And is anyone else excited to to purchase the Weezer album and the new one from Journey today…not that I am…I’m just wondering if you are…oh gosh nevermind.

Although old enough to be my grandfather, Rolling Stone Magazine continues to maintain it’s finger on the pulse of everything hip and now. From the hottest bands to the sickest trends, RS has known what’s up for 40 years… and 2007 is no different. Check out Rolling Stone’s 2007 Hot List after the jump.

HOT BABE – Megan Fox

2007 was a good year for Megan Fox. Starring opposite Shia LaBeouf in this Summer’s Sci-Fi Blockbuster “Transformers“, this hot starlet is soon to be a household name. Her next role is playing a Hollywood “IT” girl (what a stretch) in the highly anticipated “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People“ with Kirsten Dunst.

See more Megan Fox photos here.

HOT BAND: Band of Horses

Grunge may be dead in Seattle, but local heroes Band of Horses have rubbed the paddles together to bring new life to the the city’s indie music scene. Ben Birdwell’s haunting vocals alongside an ethereal Southern-Alt Rock guitar sound has ” made Band of Horses the most promising young guitar group going.” Their latest release “Cease to Begin” is certain to adorn numerous critic’s year end top tens.

See more Band of Horses photos here.

HOT CALENDAR: Mormons Exposed

This seems so wrong on so many levels, but as the old adage goes “If you got it, flaunt it”… and that’s just what these son’s of Brigham Young have done. Chad Hardy has put the S -ex back in LDS with his 2008 “Men on a Mission” Calendar, featuring 12 of the hottest, shirtless Morman missionaries on the planet. Apparently it’s big seller with the boys as well as the girls, although we’re pretty sure it’s a conservative wrong for the conservative right.

See the calendar photos here.

HOT MODEL: Agyness Deyn

Critics call Agyness Deyn the “next Kate Moss”. We just call her hot. This 21 year-old rock-a-waif has done ads for Burberry and Armani to name a few and has been sporting this tough girl look since the age of 10. Expect to see a good bit more of Ms. Deyn. She is apparently working on a new band called “Lucky Knitwear” in addition to her day job.

See more Agyness Deyn photos here.

Click here to see the rest of the Rolling Stone 2007 Hot List.