Some people lose interest in a band when it hasn’t released an album for over five years.

This is definitely not the case with Weezer fans.

The five-year hiatus that the band has taken between albums has actually done the opposite for the Los Angeles slack-rock outfit. It has created an excited buzz among both music critics and fans, who are wondering if Weezer’s newest album will live up to the popularity and high critical standards set by the previous two.

“I think people are so excited because their last [album] is so awesome and people have been waiting for more of that,” says Weezer fan Natalie Uhl, freshman in anthropology.

They won’t have to wait much longer. Weezer will release its much-anticipated third studio effort, “The Green Album,” on May 15.

But some Weezer fans – including those at ISU – will get a chance to hear it even sooner.

The Maintenance Shop, in conjunction with MTV2 and Weezer’s label, Geffen Records, will be hosting an album listening party tonight at 7.

“The Green Album” will be played in its entirety over the sound system at the M-Shop and past Weezer music videos and live clips will be shown as well, says M-Shop Coordinator Eric Yarwood.

Not only will attendees get the chance to sample the new ear candy early, there will also be prizes, like t-shirts, posters and hacky sacks, courtesy of MTV2, according to Greg Baldwin, MTV2 spokesperson.

“There will be lots of cool stuff to win,” Baldwin says. “But at the end of the day, we want to make sure it’s about the music . We want to keep it simple, to keep it about this record.”

Only 200 people will be allowed inside the M-Shop doors for the free event and Yarwood says he expects a capacity crowd.

The listening party is part of a pilot program MTV2 is undertaking to get people excited about new album releases and to increase awareness of MTV2 and what the station has to offer, Baldwin says.

Iowa State is one of only 10 schools in the country chosen by MTV2 to host the event. But 12 more schools will be treated to Radiohead’s latest release, and 10 others will preview the new Destiny’s Child CD, according to Baldwin.

Weezer has been a college radio mainstay with an almost cult-like following since the release of their self-titled first album in 1994. The band’s self-titled debut contained the dorm room anthems “Say It Ain’t So” and “Buddy Holly,” and was launched by the release of the hit single “Undone, The Sweater Song.” Not only did these songs appeal to the college crowd, they also crossed over to popular radio and were embraced by mainstream music consumers as well.

“Weezer” was followed by 1996’s “Pinkerton,” which wasn’t quite as critically acclaimed or widely accepted, but still contained guitar-driven pop gems like “Tired of Sex” and “El Scorcho.”

And already, “The Green Record” looks promising.

“Hash Pipe,” the first single from the album is on top request lists all over the country and is starting to climb Billboard charts.

DJs at Iowa State’s radio station, 88.5 KURE, have been giving the single a lot of play, says KURE Music Director Andrew Seitz, senior in art and design.

One reason fans are so excited for “The Green Album” is because of today’s changing musical climate. Weezer has always released albums at opportune times, and their May 15th release date is no exception, Seitz says.

“The boy band trend is coming to an end,” he says. “When the New Kids died, not too long after that is when grunge hit and then Weezer hit in `94. Because Weezer is embraced by a lot of people and it has name recognition, there will be a resurgence of power pop with their new album as well.”

Uhl says that she will be heading to the M-Shop “just to hear [the album] for the first time and because I hear they’re giving away prizes and it’s free.”

“[Weezer] is obviously talented and they’re funny,” she adds. “They’re just good musicians.”