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.

You know how it is; you’re in the gym and, even though you’ve forgotten your iPod, the radio station that’s playing has a pretty good range of songs and you have a good beat going. Or maybe you’re in the car, driving along and blasting the stereo as high as it can go. Or maybe you’re not even moving. Maybe you’re just chilling in your room. But, inevitably, that one song some comes on.

You know precisely what I mean. THAT song. That song that you just can’t stand. That song that makes you want to storm out the room or change the station or maybe even kick the stereo system. It’s like nails on a chalkboard, and all you want is for it to end. Yet, you know all the words, even though you hate admitting that to yourself. Somewhere in the deep recesses of your brain – and you would never admit this to anybody – you want to sing along.

Everyone has their own flame list. This is mine.

10. Warrant – “Cherry Pie“: Why is a song about pedophilia and incest so popular? Why is it a classic? Why is the video so creepy? Why am I so awesome at this song on Guitar Hero? Questions that may never be answered.

9. Timbaland (feat. One Republic) – “Apologize“: This title is misleading, because the word “apologize” never once comes into the song. “Pologize” does come into the chorus pretty often. I think it may be a synonym for self-pollinating your garden.

8. Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl“: If I ever forget how to spell “banana”, Gwen Stefani is there to remind me. Where were you during the 2nd grade spelling bee, Gwen? Where?!

7. Sara Bareilles – “Love Song“: This song is on here on behalf of a friend of mine, who seems to hate it whenever I sing it to her. Maybe it makes her uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s the fact that I can’t really claim that I’m not writing a love song about someone in a love song about someone. Paradox, much.

6. Rihanna – “Umbrella“: No one should ever be able to rhyme “forever” with “umbrella”. No one.

5. The Rembrandts – “I’ll Be There For You“: I think the reason I never got into Friends was because I could never get beyond the opening theme. I’d like for this song to not be there for me, actually. Maybe if Friends just opened without a song, I could’ve handled it. And why does this even still play on radio stations? I mean, I know it’s an icon of the 90′s, but you guys, there are better options. Pearl Jam opening theme, anyone?

4. Black Eyed Peas – “My Humps“: I do NOT want to mix anyone’s milk with anyone’s cocoa puffs! What is wrong with this song? Why do the Black Eyed Peas seem incapable of making decent songs? They’re either really good or really bad. This one is really, really bad. Alanis Morrisette totally agrees.

3. Shakira – “Hips Don’t Lie“: You know, I know some people who come from Columbia that can’t dance. I’m sure they’d be a little offended by this song…if they listened to Shakira at all. And I’m pretty certain that speaking school-learned Spanish phrases to a Hispanic girl is just a bad, bad idea. But at least it’s good fodder for covers and parodies that have hips that do not in any way fabricate, or even so much as stretch the truth.

2. 50 Cent – “In Da Club“: Tenth grade. Ow. Moving on…

1. Finger Eleven – “Paralyzer“: I’m not paralyzed. I just seem to be obsessed with this song. I cringe whenever it comes on, and then I turn it up. We have a very abusive relationship.

Now, I’m not saying that you guys have to agree with me. I’m sure you have your own songs that you can’t stand. Share. We want to commiserate with you. And if one of your favorite songs is on here, I’m sorry.

…for you.

In her new video, Ashlee Simpson is definitely channeling Gwen Stefani. Do you love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments and get Ashlee’s newest single here!

Instead, I would roll out of bed, drag my pajama’d ass to class and take a nice long nap before heading to the rec building for my pre-drinking workout.

But now that college is over (and no, I am still not over it), I spend ten hours a day behind a desk and can’t muster the energy to get out of my car after work to pick up my take out, let alone make it through an hour long kickboxing class.

I have been left with no choice but to do the AM thang. 5:30 in the AM to be exact.

And let me tell you, it is not fun. It is still quite dark outside when my alarm starts screaming at 5:30. I stumble around my house looking for my workout apparel and don’t even open my eyes until my feet hit the treadmill.

The only thing that gets me through this early morning hell is music. And I have finally perfected the art of the motivating playlist. These mixes put some pep in my ellipticizing step.

I may even be found boogying on the gym ball.

So, if you need some motivation to hit the gym before 3PM, I recommend using my tested and approved list of jams that will get that tired ass outta bed and into shape so fast it didn’t know what hit it, no matter how many games of flip cup and beer pong you played last night. Oh, and you will actually enjoy it!

Yes, it is that good.

1. Jesus Walks: Kanye West

2. Excuse Me Mr.: No Doubt

3. Conga: Gloria Estefan

4. Release: Timbaland

5. This is For My Party People: Missy Elliot

6. Centerfold: J Geils Band

7. Tambourine: Eve

8. Spice Up Your Life: Spice Girls

9. Shout: TLC

10. Stronger: Kanye West

Any other good workout songs? I am always looking for more.

It’s Britney, y’all!

Like her new sound, the first words off of Britney Spears’s fresh single are a little hardcore. Following Timberlake and Furtado, Spears is leaving her candy pop behind and getting down and dirty with hard beats and a sexually tinged chorus.

Then again, when was our girl ever NOT tinged with sexuality?

The single, released late on Thursday night, isn’t the best thing I’ve ever heard, but it certainly doesn’t suck, and seems twice as amazing considering that as of late, Ms. Spears has appeared absolutely bat sh*t crazy.

Even though there are no real lyrics to speak of, and it sounds a bit like the poor man’s Timbaland, if it came on at a club, I’d dance to it. And really, what else can you ask for when it comes to Britney Spears?

…Just be glad it isn’t two minutes of her children screaming in the background while she burps the ABC’s and says ya’ll over and over.

For those of you halfway through your first school week, relaxing with a cold one may not be the first thing on your mind. But why not? It’s Hump Day! Celebrate your first (half) week back with a little get together!

Everyone knows that a party is not complete without a decent mix of pump-up songs. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy chugging your beers to a bumpin’ beat? It’s important for every college lady to know the best tunes to guide you along the beautiful road to tipsy:

Fiddy & JT: She Wants It (Ayo Technology)

Justin’s always a no-fail, but make sure to resist the drunken lap dance. You’ll always manage to feel a lot hotter than you actually look, bumping and grinding and simultaneously knocking over your roommate’s laptop. (Oops.)

Timbaland: The Way I Are

Always results in a fabulously sloppy duet.

Kanye West: Stronger

Right after you sink the last shot in beer pong, put this baby on for your victory dance.

Soulja Boy: Crank Dat Soulja Boy

Ten times more epic if you know the dance. Twenty times more entertaining if you watch someone who does.

Got it? Now pound brew.

He’s done a lot for music, knows how to play the celebrity game, and has even started to gain some acting chops. So sure, the boy’s got talent.

And even if you’re like me, and don’t find JT any hotter than that lanky guy sitting next to you on the subway, it’s easy to see why other people find him attractive. All those years in the limelight have made him a pretty confident fellow, and he almost always shows up in an outfit the works. Timberlake knows how to work that babyface.

And apparently, he works it to get every hot young thing in Hollywood.

Page Six (I know, let’s take a moment to recognize the source) is reporting that JT recently found himself at a club “sitting with a bronze-skinned brunette” and pretending like he had no idea who his girlfriend of a few months, Jessica Biel, was.

A steamy source also whispered that the J-Dawg “is notorious. He will [bleep] anything”.

I guess when you’re richer than certain small countries, a self-proclaimed bringer back of sexy, and had Britney Spears before she went nuts, you don’t really feel the need to settle down with just one hot chick.

But just remember Justin, if Hollywood really is like high school, the more girls you hook up with, the more likely some vital info of yours is going to be scrawled across the bathroom wall in hateful lipstick. And not even a lifetime of sexy can keep you safe from a bunch of girls scorned.

From the album Shock Value. Buy it here.

From the album Timbaland Presents Shock Value. Buy it here.