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Weezer

 


 

Weezer
Released 1994
Track listing: 1) My Name is Jonas; 2) No One Else; 3) The World has Turned and Left Me Here; 4) Buddy Holly; 5) Undone (the Sweater Song); 6) Surf Wax America; 7) Say it Ain't So; 8) In The Garage; 9) Holiday; 10) Only In Dreams

 

reviewer: Roland

Overall Rating: 13

Record Rating: 9

Band Rating: 4

 
 
Ah yes, another landmark rock band, another landmark debut album.  There is not a soul in America, aged about 25 as we speak, that doesnt know this album intimately, because they were in high school when it came out, and like Green Day's Dookie, it caught fire fast  (pun not intended).
 
I have no problem with naming this album great, even revolutionary.  However, I feel very strongly that it does NOT follow the FOB rule, because in my opinion the next album surpassed even this one.   I think the main reasons for that are Buddy Holly and the Sweater Song.   While there is not a bad song on this album, these 2 are SO far superior to all the rest (not to mention the obsene amounts of airplay that they get) that it overshadows the rest of the album.  And since Buddy Holly is so overplayed it actually makes me like it less than I otherwise would have, thus putting Only in Dreams as my favourite on this album.
 
Ok so I admit, I like every single song on this album tremendously....except maybe for Surf Wax America, what the heck is this trying to be, a revamped Beach Boys style song?  So for this reason and the ones mentioned above I have to give this album a solid 9.
 

Pinkerton
Released 1996
Track listing: 1) Tired of Sex; 2) Getchoo; 3) No Other One; 4) Why Bother? 5) Across the Sea; 6) The Good Life; 7) El Scorcho; 8) Pink Triangle; 9) Falling For You; 10) Butterfly;

 

reviewer: Roland

Overall Rating: 14

Record Rating: 10

Band Rating: 4

 
 
Now here is the true Weezer landmark album in my opinion, and the fact that it bombed commercially somehow makes it even more sweet, because I know it was popular in the college circuit (how many times did we see El Scorcho and The Good Life on those video monitors in college?).    I cant even begin to pick out a favourite song out of this list, nor even a single bad one.  This is the epitome of a perfect modern rock album for me.   And its so short!  maybe I should dock points for that, but I say heck, just put the thing on loop, thats what I did for 3 months!!
 
Yeah, Rivers Cuomo matured as a songwriter in this second album, blah blah blah.  All that is true, just listen to the pain in his voice when he sings the last 5 songs or so. ("G*ddamn you half-Japanese girls!!").  I love those non-sensible lyrics too, perfect for Weezer-style.    How do I explain the rawness of this album to someone who hasnt heard it?  Its like....if you hear it while driving, you instincively press the pedal going about 25mph faster than you normally would.  Especially through the first 2 tracks...."I'm beet, beet red, ashamed of whaaaa-(Insert primal screaming here)-aaaaaat  I said!!!!!"   As soon as the first songends, the next flares up........."aaaaaaAAAAAHHHH GETCHOOO!!!  uh, HUH!").....boom, 10 mph faster still....and as you near the end of the second track: "getCHO, getCHO, GETCHOOO......(exhaustedly....)...UH HUH!!").   ....then pass out.   By the time you get to No Other One you have to seriously catch your breath, and let the song take you away....
 
Across the Sea is like that too though, so you better get ready during the rides of track 3 amd 4 (which are superb anyway), because its like an orgasm in song...the scream of "G*ddamn, this business is really lame", to "Words and dreams, and a MILLion screams.......".  C'mon, people, cant you just feel this guy bleed a river?  Yoda's head would split if he sensed how much suffering is going on here.
 
It doesnt stop there either because The Good Life is just him being pissed off and shuoting bloody murder all over the song.  (who's the guy with the background noises?  he rocks!  "Screw this crap I've had it"...<insert funny dude here in background>..."Ive HAD it!"   haha those are great).  And come on, that part where the song slows down and they sing sweetly..."I wanna go back, I wanna go back..." slowly revving up the guitars again until it comes back full speed, it just captures the whole spirit of this album, which was still kinda missing on the last one, IMO.
 
Anyway I could go on and on about the last couple of songs, which are no less exciting than the ones Ive been raving about so far, but I think Ive had enough.  I'm out of breath just writing this review, and I'm sure you are too, so go put on all 28 f*cking minutes of it, and quit yer whining cause this one gets a solid 10 baby!
 

Weezer - Green Album
Released 2001
Track listing: 1) Dont Let Go; 2) Photograph; 3) Hash Pipe; 4) Island in the Sun; 5) Crab; 6) Knock-Down Drag-Out; 7) Smile; 8) Simple Pages; 9) Glorius Day; 10) O Girlfriend

 

reviewer: Roland

Overall Rating: 13

Record Rating: 9

Band Rating: 4

 
 
After 2 marvelous albums, and not a bad song in sight, in my eyes, Weezer could do no wrong.   I was just waiting for the next Pinkerton and...it never came.  Due to the unexplained commercial bomb of Pinkerton (Rolling Stone dubbed it "worst album of the year??????"  PLEASE!), Weezer went into seclusion  for 5 WHOLE YEARS!   It was killing me, and I had just about given up, when this came along.  The godsend of godsends, Weezer is back!

Of course I was immediately scared and excited.  It cant possibly be as good as the last one, but what if it is!  Somehow I turned devils advocate right away.  I kept trying to convince myself that this album stinks monkey nuts, and that Weezer had finally lost it.  Forget it.  this album ROCKS!  They had not lost it by any means of a longshot!  ok maybe Crab is a little weak, but thats it!  It easily stands up to the first album, and with good reason:  they seemed to go back to the drawing board for this one...the uppity surf/pop formula that worked (commercially) for them in the first one.  Heck even the cover looks the same, and even the self addressed title is the same.  Could it be more obvious?  When I look at this cover though, it constantly reminds me of the pose they did with the Muppets in that video with the Muppet Show.  coooool.  :)

Maladroit
Released 2002
Track listing: 1) American Gigolo; 2) Dope Nose; 3) Keep Fishin; 4) Take Control; 5) Death and Destruction; 6) Slob; 7) Burndt Jamb; 8) Space Rock; 9) Slave; 10) Fall together; 11) Possibilities; 12) Love Explosion; 13) December

 

reviewer: Roland

Overall Rating: 8

Record Rating: 4

Band Rating: 4

 
 
 Good lord, what happened?  It seems that Weezer is now trying TOO hard (note its the first album with more than 10 songs, wow!), I liked them better when they werent trying at all, at least then Rivers Cuomo got all depressed and started writing GOOD stuff.  Not that I wish anything bad for him, but still....I dont generally listen past the first 3 songs on here (actually, I like Slob too..), not because its pure crap, but its just....uninteresting.  I'll be very willing to let someone persuade me otherwise, but I've tried hard enough already to like this album...and it just aint working, sorry...

That said, Dope Nose is one of their best songs ever, and saves it a point or two in my rating...heh I always think he's trying to say "Discotheque" (a la U2 style), but of course he isnt...

 

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