Weezer's sold-out show at Avalon began, appropriately enough, with monstrously primal ''Tired of Sex" and closed 75 minutes later with the hopeful notes of ''The Good Life." In between, the Harvard student and his bandmates covered Power Chords 101 (''Say It Ain't So"), Advanced Handclapping (''Photograph"), Origins of the Sonic Boom (''My Name Is Jonas"), and Inquiries Into '70s Arena Rock (''Hash Pipe").
Cuomo is a scholar. He uses mathematical formulas to analyze his favorite tunes and then compiles the data in a three-ring binder called the Encyclopedia of Pop. Happily, he fronts a heavy-rock band, and while Cuomo spent the evening slump-shouldered and motionless under the iconic flying W, the aural assault was thoroughly animated. Weezer's galloping set included roughly half the tracks from ''Make Believe" (the group's fifth album, in stores today) and the live versions improved on the recorded cuts. Propulsive turned explosive, studio sheen was dirtied with hiss and feedback, and the energy generated by a couple of thousand bodies bouncing in unison to ''Beverly Hills" restored strong flavors to an old recipe.
The set featured one Keith Richards moment, when guitarist/keyboardist Brian Bell was allowed to take lead vocals on the night's most forgettable song, ''Getchoo." It elicited the most heartfelt introduction from Cuomo, who stepped back out of the spotlight and focused on his righteous guitar parts, looking relieved.
Joan Anderman can be reached at anderman@globe.com.
