Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Weezer's Cuomo Heading Back To Harvard

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is heading back to Harvard University in February, with plans to graduate in June with a degree in English, according to a recent chat session on AOL Music. Cuomo returned to Harvard at the beginning of the year after an eight-year-hiatus but has spent the bulk of 2005 recording and touring in support of Weezer's latest Geffen album, "Make Believe."

The group is winding down its fall outing with Foo Fighters, after which it will play seven shows in Japan through Dec. 22 in Tokyo. It is unclear if there will be any activity in the Weezer camp next year while Cuomo is back at school.

During the chat, Cuomo revealed further details about his devotion to meditation as well as his vow of celibacy, which he began June 13, 2003. "I decided to try celibacy because I heard it would help the meditation, and I tried meditation because I heard it would help with the music," he said. "So, it all really comes back to the music."

"Listen to 'Make Believe' and compare it to the previous album, 'Maladroit,'" he continued. "I know I can hear a difference in my singing. My voice just sounds much more sensitive and dynamic now. I also notice a difference in the lyrics. I'm much more open and communicative about my emotions now."

Cuomo said he believes his own personal transformation has rubbed off on the other members of Weezer. "You might wonder what my meditation practice has to do with the other members' contributions, but I think my meditation has allowed me to be a better collaborator in the studio," he said. "I don't have so much fear that I won't get my way. I don't have so much anger if people have opposing opinions and generally I'm much more happy and comfortable in collaborative situations. So I think the guys finally got an opportunity to really shine on this album."

"Make Believe" has shifted 790,000 copies in the United States since its May release, according to Nielsen SoundScan, a significant improvement over "Maladroit," which has sold 590,000 to date.

Up for Discussion

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.