It’s been a good week for Weezer fans, with the digital release of “Weezer (Black Album)” on March 1 and the retail debut of the “Weezer (Teal Album)” today after its digital release on Jan. 24.

Sure, Ariana Grande just blew our minds with two complete albums in a matter of months, but even this seems like a pretty quick turn-around for a band. Two albums and 20 tracks within a matter of weeks? Incredible, right? Well, maybe not, considering the entirety of the “Teal Album” is a series of questionable covers.

The lineup includes the controversial “Africa” cover, originally released in summer 2018, as well as new covers of long-time favorites like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” and TLC’s “No Scrubs.”

Many people would agree that Weezer is one of the most influential and well-loved bands of our generation. Hits like “Beverly Hills” are songs almost everyone knows, whether they actively like Weezer or not.

One thing that can’t be denied is that Weezer is a unique and talented band. They push the envelope, or at least they usually do. If you ask me, their usual creativity and uniqueness is exactly what’s missing from the “Teal Album.”

I don’t know about you, but when I first heard that Weezer had released a cover of “Africa,” I was excited. With their diverse background as a band, I was sure they would provide a cool take on a classic that I already loved. I thought I would gain a whole new perspective on the song. Then I listened to it.

Instead of fresh and new, I got a track that was essentially a carbon copy of the original song with Rivers Cuomo’s vocals and (maybe) a slightly heavier baseline and drumbeat. If you can honestly tell the difference between the two songs before the first verse starts, I’d be impressed. I know I can’t.

When I saw that Weezer had released the “Teal Album,” I got my hopes up again. I assumed that there was no way they’d have spent the time recording an entire album of covers as disappointing as “Africa.” Once again, I was wrong.

What really irks me is that Weezer had the potential to create really interesting tracks that might have fairly gone up against the originals in quality and popularity. Instead, they chose to release what some would call “faithful covers,” and what others, myself included, consider simple knock-offs.

Maybe what this really comes down to is what you want out of your covers. Personally, I think a cover should do something new and interesting with a song. I want a band to make the song their own. Weezer had the opportunity to come up with something great. Instead, each and every cover on this album falls flat.

Some recommendations if you’re like me and looking for more creativity in your covers:

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Lorde (a moody take on the Tears for Fears original and a much more successful cover than Weezer’s, in my opinion).

“Bad Company” by Five Finger Death Punch (an even harder version of this classic hard rock song by Bad Company).

“Revamp: The Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin” (an entire album of various artists putting their own spins on the Elton John classics you know and love).

“Ocean to Ocean” by Pitbull (a song that either take Toto’s “Africa” to new highs, or new lows, depending on who you ask, but at least does something new and different with it).