Customer Reviews

Weezer

5 star:		(448)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

As someone who is more of a Pop/R&B and hip hop fan, I'm going to go out on a limb and throw in my two cents for this album. Here it goes...

Back in 1994, I went through an "alternative" phase. I found myself enjoying music by the Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots (especially), Live, and some random singles here and there (like Candlebox and Collective Soul). Near the end of my phase, I heard a new song debut on a San Francisco radio station (Live 105) one August morning, and it was called "Undone/The Sweater Song". I Loved it. Immediately, I took note, and kept my eyes and ears open for more Weezer material...

Next came "Buddy Holly". The song was ridiculously catchy, and it sounded nothing like "Undone" (hey...variety!) and the Spike Jonze clip for the song was definitely fun to watch. I immediately borrowed the album from one of my friends at school. I was simply amazed at how consistently good Weezer's album was; absolutely no filler tracks whatsoever - at least in my opinion.

The songs that I still enjoy to this day (despite the fact that my alternative/rock phase is over) are "The World Has Turned And Left Me Here", all three of their singles ("Undone", "Buddy Holly", "Say It Ain't So"), "Holiday" (my absolute favorite song on the album) and "Only In Dreams" (what a long, yet perfect song...)

I guess the reason why I wrote this review is because...to me, really good music has the ability to leap out of its respective genre and attract just about anyone with an open mind, and an open ear. I'm very much looking forward to hearing Weezer's new material; by all accounts it's more of the melodic, sing-songy material that made this album such a classic.

Thanks for reading.

Knyte.

It was back in 5th grade when I had first started my ventures into music past Disney tunes. Weezer's self-titled debut was one of my introductions next to other albums of the time "Nevermind" by Nirvana, "Dookie" by Green Day, and "The Downward Spiral" by Nine Inch Nails. While all of the three aforementioned albums were very big influences on me musically and emotionally, none of them hit closer to home than Weezer. I must have moved on to other music and Weezer began to collect dust and was lost. Now upon entering 12th grade, the entire musical scene has changed, and I've been through a lot more music that has influenced me - OK Computer by Radiohead, Rid of Me by PJ Harvey, Post by Bjork, Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney, and others. Yet a small article about Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer of Weezer brought everything flooding back. I immediately went out and purchased another copy of Weezer. And now I can finally say this album is timeless. It'll always remind me of those lazy humid summer days me and my friends spent strumming on old acoustic guitars while watching Monty Python and arguing over Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules. "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" reflects those alienated times, when we felt the world was against us - stuck in the dredges of suburbia. While I've kind of outgrown those feelings, the song is still a beautiful display of yearning. "Buddy Holly" with its charming "ooh-oohs" was one of those songs that left us humming and tapping our feet. And "Undone-The Sweater Song" with its ambient guitar beginning, voices streaming in and out of the conscious is absolutely brilliant with its short phrasings. "Say It Ain't So" was our geeky anthem of despair and lonelieness. We practically thought "In The Garage" was written for us. Cynical and self-depreciating, Weezer writes witty songs with an amazing pop sensibility. This is one of those albums that I will always hold close to heart because it basically represents my childhood in a way. Weezer is one of those albums that will take a long time to manifest itself as a timeless classic.

As the title of this review suggests, I really don't think Weezer ever made a more consistent, more infectious, or more charming album than this one; their debut. It's got it all: loud, heavy, swirling, electrified guitars which create a lush wall-of-sound, infectious sing-a-long melodies which are as sweet as candy, charming & quirky lyrics (and vocals) that anyone feeling alienated -- or in more popular terms, anyone who feels like a "geek" -- can relate to...really, how can you go wrong here?

There's something very refreshing and nostalgic about Weezer's music -- you get the sense that they exhibit something of a vibe from the '50s and early '60s; meaning that they seem to exhibit the kind of stomach-turning (well, not stomach-turning to me, but to most "hipsters") vibe of artists like The Beach Boys (but not necessarily sounding much like them), or any other band/artist from the aforementioned time period that is highly associated with the Summer, or the beach, perhaps, yet they update -- and transmutate -- this vibe, to make it seem nearly-unrecognizable; in other words, they somehow manage to shake-up this aspect enough to make it fit in with modern times (with "slight" bit of irony and angst, but not overbearingly so), which makes Weezer's presence quite interesting and refreshing, considering what most of today's music scene is filled with.

You know the popular tracks here: "Undone (The Sweater Song)," "Buddy Holly" (probably my absolute favorite track here, ironically, considering it was a hit, and usually "hit" songs are not my favorites from albums), "Say It Ain't So" -- all excellent tracks. But, the rest of the album is just as strong in it's delicious treatment of loud, heavy guitars lurching out melodic noise, with the quirky, seemingly-harmless, "geeky" vocals; "My Name Is Jonas" is a highlight, as well as the beautifully-punchy, summery melodies of "No One Else." Really, the whole album is excellent from top to bottom.

Loud, heavy pop confections, which are soaked in melodies as sweet as candy, and quirky vulnerability to boot; You can't go wrong here. Recommended for any fan of alternative rock, or for fans who like their heavy-rock doses high in melody.

I am a 14 year old struggling guitarist in a relatively unculutured location, and music labeled popular to some (The Blue Album) is alternative in my community. This is my favorite album for two reasons: 1) Every song on it is great, and 2) None of it ever gets old. I can listen to this CD all the way through over and over again without ever becoming bored with any of the songs. This CD is probably the greatest musical inspiration to me (as I previously stated, I am a guitarist looking for a band) and motivated me to run to the nearest music store and buy the fakebook for it. Below I have provided a short analysis for each of the ten tracks (the short length is the album's only weakness).

1. My Name Is Jonas
The first track begins with a pretty acoustic guitar part that fades quickly into heavy distorted guitar beneath wonderfully fitting vocals. I think that Weezer is trying to grab the listener's attention from the start with a great first track. There is a small climactic build towards the end with a harmonica that brings out their talent in melodic songwriting. (9/10)

2. No One Else
The first time I listened to this song I hated it, probably due to the shallow lyrics. Lead singer Rivers Cuomo describes his paranoia in a relationship and his wishes for his girlfriend to never leave the house when he is gone. Once you get past the unsatisfactory lyrics, it really is a great song with more melodic guitar parts and a catchy chorus. (8/10)

3. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
This song has always struck me as one of the better songs on the album, primarily for its excellent guitar solo and an chorus that will not leave your head for days. I often find myself tapping out some of its rhythms in class. (10/10)

4. Buddy Holly
This is the first song on the CD that is a single. Despite its annoyingly short length, the song features an incredible guitar solo and an unforgivingly addictive chorus. One of the album's less melodic songs, but fun to dance to. (9/10)

5. Undone-The Sweater Song
This is the song that probably stands out as the most original on the album. It opens with staged dialogue between two unknown male voices that describes a reunion of friends at a concert, irrelevant to the rest of the song. There is then another unforgettable chorus, more dialogue, and a sudden modulation into a brilliant melodic guitar solo. It ends with an unidentifiable instrument playing random notes. This song features the absolute most repetitive chorus on the album. (9/10)

6. Surf Wax America
If I had to pick one song on the album to remove, it would be this one. Because this is the greatest album ever made, however, it still has to fall into the category of really good songs. It definitely meets the criteria upon which my judgements are based. I probably like it the least because it is less melodic than any of the others. It features a three chord verse, three chord bridge, and three chord chorus. There is an interesting middle section that is comprised entirely of a pretty harmony between all three singers in the band. (7/10)

7. Say It Ain't So
This is my favorite song on the album, one of my favorite songs ever. Say It Ain't So opens with an almost jazzy sounding verse due to a prominent baseline and odd guitar chords. In the chorus, the song explodes into a woeful story, I think, about a young man's memories of a distressed childhood with a drunken father. A fabulous guitar solo follows the bridge, and the song ends the way it begins, with the eerie jazzy sounding guitar riff. The album is worth the money just for this song. I don't know what happened to the brilliance that Weezer showed on The Blue Album and Pinkerton... (10/10)

8. In the Garage
This song is an anthem to nerds everywhere. The lyrics describe the garage (maybe the sight of the band's earlier practices?), a room filled with Dungeons and Dragons apparatus and posters of rock group KISS. In addition to wonderfully fulfilling lyrics, the song boasts another excellent guitar solo and creative use of a harmonica. This song is kind of an adrenaline rush. (9/10)

9. Holiday
Holiday opens with a bright bang with distorted guitars, the energy of which is not lost until a weird interlude towards the song's middle during which band members sing different parts. The energy, however, is picked up again with more guitars and great vocal parts. Another one that never leaves your head, but no guitar solo... (9/10)

10. Only in Dreams
The ultimate geek ballad, Only in Dreams is the third masterpiece of the album. I think the song is just over eight minutes long, but during this time the listener is never bored, but rather intrigued by this band's brilliance with chord progression and originality with guitar riffs. This has all the elements of a great rock song: good contrast between the verse and chorus, great guitar solo, excellent build-up to the end, and lyrics that make you want to go home and kill yourself, unless you're listening to the album at home, in which case you can just do it there. This song stays with you for years. (10/10)

Definitely worth any amount of money. If you're looking for other good stuff try Pinkerton-Weezer, Surfer Rosa-The Pixies, Warning-Green Day, Smash-The Offspring, Rubberneck-Toadies, (self-titled)-Sublime.

These days we are so crazily used to all those highly fashioned bands like Eve 6, Blink 182, Lit and Wheatus that sometimes we may get impression that these guys have produced and play something incredibly original and new. Alas, most of the things they use in their music were invented before, some years earlier, and among those really original inventors (such as Nirvana, Radiohead, etc.) were Weezer, the guys that became a whole chapter in the rock music history, being able in the faraway 1993 to find an amazingly right mixture of pop, heavier rock and smartful lyrics to create something really unforgettable.

The 1994's Weezer is easily and joyfully listenable today, sounding by no means weaker than any of the above mentioned young talents. And if you've had no idea what Weezer is, having given a listen to that cd, you would never believe the album is 7 years old.

All those brilliant songs including Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So, Undone, The World Has Turned, In the Garage, and all the rest still sound so much refreshing and can compete with all the modern tunes played on the radio stations.

Luckily, Weezer finally have their new album to release tomorrow. Haven't we been looking forward to it?

Simply put: Weezer's self-titled debut LP, affectionately referred to by fans as "The Blue Album," is one of the greatest rock albums of the past decade. Although I am far more infatuated with Weezer's follow-up release, "Pinkerton," it's hard to ignore the sheer wonder of "Weezer." Blending surf-rock riffs reminiscient of the Beach Boy instrumentation with undeniably catchy melodies and often times quirky lyrics (see, "Undone - The Sweater Song"), Weezer managed to produce a CD that could appeal to everyone. I've heard children barely out of first grade talking about it; my parents have stated, "This is pretty good. Who is it?"; and even the Deftones, known for their heavy metal anthems like, "My Own Summer (Shove It), praise Weezer at every opportunity and cover many of the songs from this CD at their live concerts. And you know what, the tatooed and pierced fans at the Deftones concerts go absolutewly crazy (in a good way) when the Deftones cover a Weezer song at a concert. Now that's what I call mass appeal!

1. My Name Is Jonas: Although the general theme behind the CD can be interpreted as hard rock meets the Beach Boys, the opening track does not actually fit into this category. Instead, it's a thoughtful, punk rock anthem about starting over (from what I can tell at least).

2. No One Else: You know how radio-friendly songs are created with hooks, which are designed to draw people into the songs, or make people hum the songs in the shower? Well, to be perfectly honest, I have yet to find that sort of device in "No One Else." Ironically, I'm beginning to wonder if the lack of hook is the hook .... Anyway, "No One Else" is about how Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer and lead guitarist, wants "A girl who will laugh for no one else." Pop punkish with a faint taste of surf.

3. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here: Almost a perfect song. It's basically about how a girlfriend leaving you can feel like the world has turned its back on you. Beatiful.

4. Buddy Holly: Everybody's heard this song! If you haven't, sheesh! Unbelievably catchy pop punk.

5. Undone (The Sweater Song): Hands down the most creative and ingenious hit rock single in years. The song uses a sweater as a relationship for God's sakes! So much fun to sing along to.

6. Surf Wax America: Appeals to the head-banger and surfer dude (or dudett) in all of us. Nowadays I don't think teens will rebel against authority by going surfing, but if it comes to that, "Surf Wax America" will be the rebel anthem.

7. Say It Ain't So: After hearing "Buddy Holly" and "Undone (The Sweater Song" one too many times, some music critics claimed that Weezer's lyrics were childish and irrelevant. "Say It Ain't So," a song about a boy's dealings with alcohol, and the third single off "Weezer," proved them wrong.

8. In the Garage: THE #1 geek anthem of all time. Another great song to sing along to.

9. Holiday: A throwback to that carefree Beach Boy state of mind. Surf rock, baby!

10. Only In Dreams: When most teens think of dramatic and/or climactic endings to CD's, this is the one they think of first. It's an album closer of epic preportions, or maybe it just seems that way to us geeks ;)

Weezer released this debut album (later referred to as the Blue Album) and indie/alternative rock fans fell in love. The songs were ever-so catchy, but had hooky riffs and a simplicity, along with goofy lyrics molded into each song, making them clever and moving. Lyrics like -- I want a girl who will laugh for no one else, when I'm away she puts her makeup on the shelf, when I'm away she never leaves the house -- show how geeky love inspired singer River Cuomo feels in his insecure self-doubted way through-out the whole album.

The dorky charm is what makes this album great. It's poppy and universal, but in it's own un-hip cool alternative way. They became one of the biggest alternative bands of the '90's. The song "Buddy Holly" is not only catchy but interesting and entertaining. You can't help but sing along to the chorus. The video even makes a rendition of a Happy Days set-black & white and forever geeky.

Weezer burst onto the scene back in 1994 with their self-titled debut album. Its everything you can want in an album and you can never get bored of it. It starts off quick then ends with the amazing guitar epic 'Only in Dreams'. This album is full of songs taht are true classics and will be legendary in 30 years like Zeppelin and Floyd are now. Here is a song by song analysis:

1.My Name is Jonas 4/5 - awesome rockin' intro that will soon grow on you and be in ur head all the time
2.No One Else 5/5 - great song...simple lyrics but sooo true
3.The World Has Turned and left Me Here 5/5 - another bomb tune
4.Buddy Holly 5/5 - The Original Weezer breakout single w/ a great video
5.Undone 6/5 - great weezer classic that makes u wanna pump ur fist and laugh while you sing along to the chorus
6.Surf Wax America 5/5 - jsut a fun songg
7.Say It Ain't So 7/5 - one of my fav Weez songs ever...classic lyrics and tune...jsut plainn amazing
8.In the Garage 5/5 - good song w/ catchy chorus
9.Holiday 4/5 - coool song that leads right into the closing
10.Only in Dreams 7/5 - Wow i would kill for weezer to make another guitar epic like this song...amazing and great to fall asleep to...worth all 7 minutes and 58 seconds of it...gets stuck in my head for hours

Weezer really can't be compared to any other band cuz theyre in their own league and have their own style. Thats what i love about them. PIck up this classic if u dont alaready have it

I bought this CD back in 1994 after seeing the video for 'Undone' on MTV (back when I still wanted my MTV). The video was quite simple, just the band playing in a blue room. Towards the end of the video, several dogs ran across the stage. I thought to myself 'Hey, that doesn't make any sense!' so I immediately ran out and bought the CD. Six years later, it's still one of my favorites (and my favorite CD of the decade was Weezer's less successful (commercialy, but not musically) follow up 'Pinkerton'). From the opening crashes of 'My Name is Jonas' through the end of the much softer 'Only in Dreams', they kept me engaged. There is not a bad song on the disc, and that's a rarity these days. The band excels at mixing acoustic guitars or a harmonica with thundering elecrtric guitar strums and sweet basslines.

Some call Weezer 'geek rock', others call it 'grunge surf' or 'power pop', but it's really just rock & roll.

Also, if you can find the CD single to 'Undone' anywhere, it's got two more great songs ('Mykel & Carli' and 'Suzanne') that would have sounded right at home on this CD.

So many artists and groups today put out CD's that have maybe 1 or 2 big hits, and the really good ones put out an album with perhaps 5 or 6 very good tunes. The collection of songs on the Blue CD, however, does not fall to this "standard." Every song on the album has a soul, making it the only CD I've ever listened to which has a flawless tracklist!

I'll now be breaking each song down with a quick summary of what makes it so great, as well as a rating of the track.

1. MY NAME IS JONAS - This song has a beautiful introduction, helping to ease into the Blue CD; then in the Weezer fashion, it blasts into a very catchy rock, with lyrics that can only be described as comically deep. This song is perfect as the first track on the list, however it won't likely be the one you find yourself humming later on after listening to the whole album.
--Rating: 8.5/10

2. NO ONE ELSE - This song opens quickly. Lots of guitar. Lots of fun. Rivers takes a song that would be otherwise bland and turns it into a hit. The words are hilarious and this song WILL get stuck in your head.
--Rating: 9/10

3. THE WORLD HAS TURNED AND LEFT ME HERE - Of all of the tracks on this album this is probably the one you'd have to put in last place. Although it is still a very good song, it seems very lack-luster compared to the other material on the CD.
--Rating: 7/10

4. BUDDY HOLLY - Probably the second most famous track on the album, Buddy Holly pays tribute to the 50's star, and does him justice too. It's a fast-paced, all-too-catchy, well-written piece. Many who listen to the Blue Album would label this as their favorite song on the CD.
--Rating: 8.5/10

5. UNDONE (THE SWEATER SONG) - This radio hit can still be heard on rock stations today, and it deserves the spotlight as the major hit song of the CD. We all know the words and we all can't help but keep a permanent place in our hearts for this song.
--Rating: 9.5/10

6. SURF WAX AMERICA - This is one of my personal favorites of any Weezer song to date. The words are nothing spectacular, but the pure "enjoyability" of the tune more than makes up for it. This is probably one of the most famous surfing songs written.
--Rating: 9/10

7. SAY IT AIN'T SO - Although my favorite band is not Weezer, my favorite song of ANY group or artist is Say It Ain't So. Is that saying a lot? Oh yes. My friends and I all agree that this beautiful song will always be the best Weezer song... ever.

--Rating: 10/10

8. IN THE GARAGE - The cult following behind this song would preach it as the best song of any Weezer album, and rightly so. The harmonica and acoustic guitar blend perfectly in this song, and the grungy sound of the chorus makes this song all-too-lovable, (not to mention the crazy-awesome guitar solo!).
--Rating: 9.5/10

9. HOLIDAY - This song rocks. What else can I say? Its radio-worthy tune and lovable lyric make it one of the shining hits of the Blue CD. This song will also get stuck in your head.
--Rating: 10/10

10. ONLY IN DREAMS - The unsung hero of the Blue Album, my friend once compared this song to sex; it starts off great, builds and builds, until finally it's just all-over-the-place great! This song is absolutely perfect as the conclusion to a remarkable CD.
--Rating 9/10

This CD belongs in everyone's collection, if it's not already there.
That'll do, Weezer. That'll do.