The word Weezer is just what it sounds like: a band that has risen to fame despite their truly nerdy roots.

On September 14, Los Angeles’s Weezer released their eighth album “Hurley.” The disc is the band’s third new release in the past three years, ending a songwriting run that puts younger artists to shame.

On the new album, Weezer channels their inner (and outer) nerd with a cover featuring nothing but a picture of Jorge Garcia’s character “Hurley,” from the recently ended, massively popular drama “Lost.” Despite their recent pop-orientated sound, on “Hurley,” Weezer returns to the rock and roll sound that fans know and love.

From the time they burst onto the scene in 1992 to their present successful years, the band’s sound has evolved many times throughout their career.

Since their self-titled “Blue Album,” Weezer has gone from performing with a grunge sound, to a pop-punk sound, to a mostly pop sound on 2009’s “Raditude.” With “Hurley,” they commemorate their early years in the 1990s by paying homage to the tunes that made them famous.

The debut single and opening track “Memories” is a catchy number with lyrics that remind fans of the “Blue Album” days. Front man Rivers Cuomo wrote the track, which discusses the band’s experiences up until this point; including everything from listening to techno songs on the tour bus to lying to journalists who were covering the band.

“Hurley” also features some familiar faces showcasing some not so familiar talents.  A track titled “Hang On” features indie-nerd hero Michael Cera on backup vocals, while “Memories” includes chanting and screaming courtesy of Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the “Jackass” gang.

The late 2000s left many hardcore Weezer fans disappointed, but 2010 finally delivers. If “Raditude” was 2009’s tribute to “Make Believe,” “Hurley” echoes the moods of 2001’s “Green Album” which pleased fans with tracks that found the perfect harmony between pop and rock such as “Photograph” and “Island in the Sun.”

Weezer is the band that brings nerdy Dungeons and Dragons fans hope for being what every person wishes they were, a rock star. “Hurley,” while different from the moods of their previous two albums, returns to what all true Weezer fans love them for: upbeat rock jams with smart lyrics worthy of any Vulcan.