Weezer - Make Believe

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Here's the first single, "Beverly Hills" :

http://www.albumfive.com/downloads/weezer_beverlyhills_bostonradio.mp3

I can't stop laughing.

The album is out May 10th.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 19 March 2005 02:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it suppoused to sound fucked up?

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 19 March 2005 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

some people call me the space cowboy...some people call me maurice

― 6335, Saturday, 19 March 2005 02:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm... this is a poor song.

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 19 March 2005 02:53 (twenty-one years ago)

This album is going to be sold on TV through commercials that are run only on E! during the Howard Stern Show. It will be bracketed with Girls Gone Wild! adverts and 1-800-Hot-Leggs.

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 19 March 2005 02:55 (twenty-one years ago)

this is so sad.....
are you sure this is the same band that did "Only in Dreams"?

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Well... I guess technically it's not...

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:27 (twenty-one years ago)

what are the little female voices saying in the chorus?
are they asian females?

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm sure they are in the video...

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:29 (twenty-one years ago)

this album is going to rule.

― charleston charge (chaki), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

you can hear the rick rubin-ess in the drums

― charleston charge (chaki), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:43 (twenty-one years ago)

THE GOOD LIFE II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO!!!

Rivers is totally getting back to the Pinkerton lyrical style. Feelin' it! So excited.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:44 (twenty-one years ago)

ooh I just hit the wah wah

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:44 (twenty-one years ago)

it's a little slow

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually its "Good Life" lyrically but "El Scorcho" musically. Hot diggity damn.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:45 (twenty-one years ago)

kinda dangerous to make a song about how you don't want to be famous. america has a way of making your wish come true. Ask jakob dylan.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:49 (twenty-one years ago)

this sounds nothing like "The Good Life" or "El Scorcho"

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh! and another thing....who told Rivers he could rap?

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 19 March 2005 03:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm excited for this album. Big time. Karl (Weez.com webmaster) says this song was just made to please the label anyway, and considering it isn't THAT terrible, I'm pretty excited.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 19 March 2005 04:00 (twenty-one years ago)

he just as much on "el scorcho"

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 04:01 (twenty-one years ago)

he rapped just as much, I mean

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 04:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I like it. It kinda reminds me of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," musically. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

― John Fredland (jfredland), Saturday, 19 March 2005 04:32 (twenty-one years ago)

fun.

― I got the job because I was so mean, while somehow appearing so kind. (AaronHz), Saturday, 19 March 2005 04:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Terrible.

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Saturday, 19 March 2005 07:46 (twenty-one years ago)

The tune moves along as if it just took a bong hit. Hmmm.. makes me think those might have been some HAZY sessions. Weezer's "Sgt.Pepper" anyone??

― ZionTrain, Saturday, 19 March 2005 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought they'd dumped Rick Rubin and were going to self-produce it?

― Nick H (Nick H), Saturday, 19 March 2005 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Rick Rubin didn't do the day-by-day but he worked on the pre-production, and oversaw from a far. Came back in for Rivers' final vocal performances. He's the guru.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 19 March 2005 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG

it's like it's 1998 all over again. Kottonmouth Kings, Space Monkeys and Bran Van 3000 4 life!!!!

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

for the record, this is a good thing.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

i expected somethig much worse. it is fun to marry steve miller with rap.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Saturday, 19 March 2005 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

this is greeeat.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/05-03-22.shtml

This is such a stupid review. This guy is obsessed with college students and not much else. Is that all you need to get a writing job at pitchfork? Apart from the two words we get about the music "guitar solo" (for those who can't find them; it's hard i know) he just rants about the lyrics in a vaguely coherent manner. I happen to like this song (not love - but certainly not hate) and I love 'You Shook Me All Night Long' - in a decidedly un-ironic way.

What's worse - the kid that drinks beer, hangs carmen electra on his wall and probably listens to John Mayer. Or is it the guy that takes easy shots at people like our friend? At least the kid doesn't need irony to justify anything. He probably thinks it's ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife.

(NB: I know Nick posts here and I don't mean this as a personal attack at all - but man, that review sucks.)

"The only thing worse than this song's "ironic" 1-4-5, "ironic" lyrics, and "ironic" guitar solo are the people who genuinely like it all. You know the type-- he threw the party in Lowell House last week that had "Laid" and "Instant Pleasure" and "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "TNT" and "Baba O'Riley" on his Winamp playlist. He hung "Must Be 21 to Drink" signs on the walls between his Belushi poster and the inkjet printout of Carmen Electra wearing suspenders. He made a point of telling everyone he bought Smirnoff Ice "for the ladies." He wears flip-flops year-round, studies government, and at last count, has five different nicknames for his dick.

Actually I thought of one more thing worse than this song: all the L.A. kids smart enough to get Cuomo's joke, but still lame enough to quote the song's chorus in their AIM profiles when they really miss their big fucking houses and Harvard-Westlake proms and "animal-style" slabs of cowshit-- the world's most overrated sandwiches in the world's most overrated city. For Chrissake, somebody give Cuomo a star so we can forget about him again. [Nick Sylvester]"

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 09:28 (twenty-one years ago)

yah thats a pathetic write up. sorry.

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 09:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I was disappointed to find it was Nick Sylvester. I usually like his writing. But this is insipid.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

What in god's name is wrong with playing AC/DC and The Who and drinking Smirnoff Ice at a party? I've been to parties where all they had was Limp Bizkit and Coors Lite.

― I got the job because I was so mean, while somehow appearing so kind. (AaronHz), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 12:19 (twenty-one years ago)

i think someone stole the guy's girlfriend or something. preoccupied with all the totally unnecessary, bitter invective, he forgot to actually say anything of substance about the track. you know, to 'review' it...

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Woah, did Nick have a Shining moment there? The spirit of 20th century Pfork take over for a sec?

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean this song is their worst 'first single off our new album' by far, but christ 'GRRR I HATE PREPPIES,' wtf.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

That's easily one of the worst things I've ever read on Pitchfork. Insulting a band because of their fans is one of those things I can't stand about rock critics. Hey man, I play "Baba O'Riley" and "You Shook Me All Night Long" at parties too! It's like you're insulting ME.

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

once again, Pitchfork is accurate in their rating, but the review sucks....re: the song, it's complete garbage, is worlds away from Pinkerton, and even Good Charlotte would be embarrassed to put out something this lame

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:15 (twenty-one years ago)

This was even worse than their review of Arular. The whole time I was like, "Okay, when is he gonna talk about the actual songs?"

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

The only thing worse than this song's "ironic" 1-4-5, "ironic" lyrics, and "ironic" guitar solo are the people who genuinely like it all.

Yeah, and they'll never EVER be as cool as you, you self-loving conceited git.

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I really like the track. I like the drums in the verse with the handclap and Rivers rap-esque vocal style. I really like the breakdown with the "the truth is..." bit. Could have been SO much worse.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I wonder if Nick would dare tell us the type of black music fan he can't stand.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i have to say that i actually really like the song too.

but then i'm a cock rock frat boy and my dick has an identity crisis, so i guess i would.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I've met Nick and he's a cool guy, but this is embarassing enough that I think it deserves being decried.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 15:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean this song is their worst 'first single off our new album' by far

..."Hash Pipe"?

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

hash pipe is one of the best songs ever you crazy fool

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:49 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hash Pipe" blows this track away. He's an angry tranvestite prostitute through out the song! Sounds like a dope on the bridge of "Beverly Hills."

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:58 (twenty-one years ago)

"Beverly Hills" makes me worry about that in the near-decade since he last got confessional he's done nothing but take stupid pills.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"Keep Fishin" was their only shite single, so no, they never had a bad 'first single off the new album'.

― billstevejim, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

'This guy is obsessed with college students and not much else. Is that all you need to get a writing job at pitchfork?'

yes

― latebloomer: damn cheapskate satanists (latebloomer), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow. "Keep Fishin'" is my favorite Weezer single by far!

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Would it kill someone to have this on slsk? I'd really like to hear this new song.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

If someone would like to e-mail it to me at [email protected], I'd be very thankful.

― Jacob Åström (Jake!), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

whoa

not that there's some brilliant labyrinthine structure to the blurb, and i bet mr sylvester doesn't think this is his best work evah either but:

1. sometimes it's a critique that there's nothing to critique? the song really is rock-by-numbers chord progression, undistracting and familiar solely to set up cuomo's irony-by-numbers lyrics (ie if the song was more complex cuomos'd be buying into his song more, defeating the once-offed shtick he's going for methinks). // oldguyrockcrits who would just review the packaging and grooves of the vinyl to meet word count.

2. as for going after college types who like "beverly hills" face value (the song and the place) and miss cuomo's small degree of subtlety, yeah, those are extramusical and entirely unwarranted-- just character-based you know the type of guy who does X and remember the time in school when X happened jokes (but not riffs). mr sylvester probably didn't mean to offend the guy above who said his dick has an identity crisis (good luck with that btw). that's not to say ALL weezer fans are dudes, and that all dudes are terrible (having partied with mr sylvester, he's totally a dude, and loves baba o riley)

― Riff Central, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Jokes are supposed to be funny.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

haha i thought you wrote "jocks are supposed to be funny"

― Nick Sylvester, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

hi nick. why'd you write that?

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

point 1 is a better review than the review. point 2 is a cop-out.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

"This song makes me want to review the packaging and the grooves in the vinyl like Lester Bangs would" >> "Don't you hate dumb people who do dumb things but don't know they're dumb?"

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow. "Keep Fishin'" is my favorite Weezer single by far!
-- Matthew C Perpetua (perpetu...), March 22nd, 2005.

me too!

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

you guys know they were around in the 90s, right?

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I really like this a lot! It's "The Joker"-ific! It's very fun. I can't say I really care about the lyrics one way or another.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Anthony, I just listened to 'the blue album' by choice for the first time about a month ago. so yes, you could say I missed that boat.

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:07 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hash Pipe" blows this track away. He's an angry tranvestite prostitute through out the song! Sounds like a dope on the bridge of "Beverly Hills."

If a girl ever breaks my heart the way "Hash Pipe" did, I will most likely never love again.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:08 (twenty-one years ago)

It seems really weird to me that anyone would be disappointed by there being irony and dumb jokes in Weezer since they've been doing that since day one. All of their hits are novelty in some way, whether it's the lyrics or the sound of it or the videos.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Personally I'd rather them be doofy than emo.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's a CD quality rip in case you bloggers want to put this up:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/weirdo1769/weezer-beverlyhills320.mp3

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm sure Rivers does that all the time

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:24 (twenty-one years ago)

not looking to defend this review-- again, not much to write about the song musicritically since it's so goddamn obvious, i went for character assassination that plenty kids liked, and plenty of you didn't, so it goes-- but matthew, it's not the irony itself that ever bothered me, it's how blunt and predictable and smug i felt cuomo's use of it was.

― Nick Sylvester, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

its a way better first single than 'Dope Nose'... not great, but not bad at all... shows potential for the entire LP... and i didnt like 'El Scorcho' at first either, and now its true love... so i'll give it time and a B-.

― Don Walton, Jr., Wednesday, 23 March 2005 00:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"hey man, you're an all-star, get your game on, go PLAY"

― 6335, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

man, what happened to those guys?

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Does anyone have a working link?

― jenn K (satellitesynth), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 17:13 (twenty-one years ago)

this is much better than i was expecting... better than anything i've heard off the last 2 records. still not as good as most of the 1st record though.

― Vestigal Appendages, Esq. (King Kobra), Thursday, 24 March 2005 00:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought the review was fun nick.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Thursday, 24 March 2005 03:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Rivers never gets angry when his Mom smokes pot.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 24 March 2005 06:07 (twenty-one years ago)

A cover of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" will be on the record! Haha... I'm getting more excited for this by the minute.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 23:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard the cover's been scrapped

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 23:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh no :(

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 23:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I doubt that would've turned out well.

I've seen the vid for "Beverly Hills" a couple times now, and the song's pretty good, yeah. I think it sounds more like The Blue Album than anything they've done since, so I'm sorta surprised that more people aren't excited about it, especially the fans that never got over Green and Maladroit. Subject matter not geeky enough? 7.5 or so.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 30 March 2005 23:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Saw the video for this the other day. Song is unbelievably bad.

― jason., Thursday, 31 March 2005 01:38 (twenty-one years ago)

This sounds nothing like The Blue Album. Dr. Bill lies.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 31 March 2005 01:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Haven't heard the new single yet, but I'm excited about the very thought of it.

I'm wanting to sort out gig/lp reviews, but none of my colleagues know who does their pr in the UK . If anyone does know, it would be greatly appreciated if you could drop me an email...

Thanks.
x

― Stewart Gardiner (Stewart Gardiner), Saturday, 9 April 2005 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

from mtv.com:

Similar in spirit, if not in structure, is "This Is Such a Pity," on which Rubin adds enough new-wave synth squirts and squiggles to disguise the fact that this song is really an unabashed guitar ballad (including a solo that recalls Europe's "The Final Countdown"). It's also likely the first tune in history where Cuomo addresses his many detractors, wailing, "You think I'm a fascist pig!"

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 10 April 2005 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

I've heard Bev Hills once and was shocked by how utterly abysmal it was. Those guys, I used to have affection for them, but this thing is like some pure distillate of everything they ever did wrong.

― Kim (Kim), Sunday, 10 April 2005 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm really clinging to the idea that Hills is their "sop to the label," but it seems more likely that the dude's decision to be Honest and go Pinkerton again is going to reveal how much his brain has fried over the last decade.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 10 April 2005 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I wanna live a life like that
I wanna be just like a king
Take my picture by the pool
'cause I'm the next big thing!

this song is so great.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Sunday, 10 April 2005 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

"This Is Not a Pity" sounds really amazing judging from the clip I've heard. It's the track I'm looking forward to the most.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 10 April 2005 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Brau, animal style burgers are bomb, brau

― Scott Warner (thream), Tuesday, 12 April 2005 23:34 (twenty-one years ago)

If every song is as ridiculous and catchy as "Beverly Hills," then this could be my favorite Weezer album. I have no need for emo Pinkertonness, but I'll gladly listen to Rivers Cuomo go crazy the fun way.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

oh i totally have a theory about this song!!

THEY REMADE THE SWEATER SONG! its the same 1-4-5 change but what made the SWEATER SONG hip was they did the 1-4-5 change into a FLAT 3rd. what makes B.H. hip is they take it to a FLAT 7 insted. its basically "fuck you. you want the sweater song again? then here it is motherfuckers!" fucking genius!

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 00:41 (twenty-one years ago)

You think? Cos it's clearly an interpolation of "The Joker."

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

matt.. dont be silly
songs that use the 1-4-5 change

The Joker
The Sweater Song
Louie Louie
Wild Thing
Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)
All Star (Smashmouth)

and about 23409238523956 other pop songs

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Hang on Sloopy

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, but he's also singing the vocals in ways that interpolate/reference "The Joker."

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:22 (twenty-one years ago)

OK FINE MATT DESTROY MY THEORY AND DREAMS WHY DONT YOU

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I can't believe I never made that "Joker" connection before.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 01:40 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought 'el scorcho' was the remake of 'the sweater song'?

― irrigation can save your people (irrigation can save your peopl), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 02:04 (twenty-one years ago)

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 02:08 (twenty-one years ago)

for some reason, i equated beverly hills to pour some sugar on me's chorus. i think weezer as a hair metal band is more fun than the joker.

― natedey, Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:05 (twenty-one years ago)

or more fun than "ironically interpolating the joker," that is.

― natedey, Thursday, 14 April 2005 04:06 (twenty-one years ago)

pour some sugar on me also uses the 1-4-5 chord structure

― charleston charge (chaki), Thursday, 14 April 2005 06:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I just pleasantly passed a 1-4-5 chord structure that was more inventive than Beverly Hills...you apologists let him get away with too much...Pinkerton may have been "emo" to some, but the songwriting being honest and even heart-wrenching at times is also the reason it stands out from the embarrassing tripe Rivers effortlessly craps out nowadays

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Thursday, 14 April 2005 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard "The Joker" for the first time in ages last night. Totally pwns "Bevery Hills" (which yes is reminiscent of "The Joker," but I think its totally meritous to note that its reminiscent of the band's first hit). Steve Miller sounds like a perceptive, self-aware guy compared to Rivers now.

― miccio, the midnight toker (miccio), Thursday, 14 April 2005 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I totally wish they'd just covered "The Joker" actually.

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 14 April 2005 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

el scorcho is so the sweater song.
both opening singles
quiet verse w/ arpeggiated chords
big singalong chorus making little sense
(1-4)-1-5 vs. 1-4-5-4
textbook powerpop

― irrigation saved my people, Thursday, 14 April 2005 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I finally heard it. It sounds like every Weezer detractor's complaint is showcased in this song. I wanted to like it...

― Cunga (Cunga), Saturday, 16 April 2005 06:38 (twenty-one years ago)

wasn't "The Good Life" the opening single for Pinkerton?

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Saturday, 16 April 2005 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

"good life" was second after "scorcho"

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 16 April 2005 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

this is gonna suck so bad

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 16 April 2005 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

i mean. i want it to be good and all but there is just no way it will be

― Aerodynamic (Aerodynamic), Saturday, 16 April 2005 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Leakage. It's on oink.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Saturday, 23 April 2005 23:45 (twenty-one years ago)

And can we get this as a ysi file pls?

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll try.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to believe RC made up all the celibate monk shit up.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7249178?rnd=1114304791381&has-player=false

― bliss kid, Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Bless you, sir

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

ah somebody post little mp3 YSIs and i'll love thee

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

oh bloody hell

i'm feeling physically ill because i'm excited about this. Somebody said it's the album that should have come out in 1998.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah it's really quite excellent. The YSI is almost done.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:16 (twenty-one years ago)

oh bloody hell

i'm on dialup but im going to have to try and download this huge YSI file.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:20 (twenty-one years ago)

eeeeeee

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:20 (twenty-one years ago)

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

― ihope (ihope), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:20 (twenty-one years ago)

IM SWEATING

I'M ACTUALLY PERSPIRING THATS HOW EXCITED I AM FUCK

SHIT I MIGHT NEED A SHOWER

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:22 (twenty-one years ago)

ITS HALF PAST TWO IN THE MORNING AND I WILL NOT SLEEP ANOTHER WINK UNTIL I HAVE THIS

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay guys, here it is:

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2UEU4NRGCR35H1SJHSOZWXVZ5N

Enjoy.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

71mb

poo...

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll put up what I think to e the standout tracks (after 1 listen) for you

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

eeeeeee

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:30 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks anyway though

i'll give it a shot

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm. Sports metaphor as first lyric on 2nd song. . . not promising.

― I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Third track and they're sounding more like the Cars than they ever have. What was Ocasek's role in this one?

Very radio rock.

― I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Make that "stadium rock". Oh well, sad, but not a surprise.

― I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Try this: pop in at any given point of any of the tracks, and listen for three seconds. You won't be able to distinguish any of them except for the first and next to last.

― I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:40 (twenty-one years ago)

"This Is Such A Pity" :

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2KFTSJEFTYNKD1GF8U4HFVS6S4

"Haunt You Everyday" :

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=35OQPRKBASVLT0LCW1B0XRDLEZ

"Peace" :

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=25MV9BAJ77MVE1RJ800IH87LHZ

"Perfect Situation" :

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2F4AAJKZUEOYW1XF10EEP47FFV

And this track so someone can tell me what song it reminds me of! It's nagging me... I know one of the licks is straight from Bowie's "Joe the Lion," but the main riff... so familar.. :

My Best Friend - http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3H62ZY5O8YWLI2J5AC6LWKDHM3

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:41 (twenty-one years ago)

YES YOU RULE BRAINWASHER

RULE A LOT

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:43 (twenty-one years ago)

oh my lord...

look at that t-shirt guys:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/indieEaglet/c0cc0093.jpg

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:46 (twenty-one years ago)

WHAT IS UP WITH THE EUROPE-STYLEE GUITAR SOLOS

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Have I told you lately that I love you, Brainwasher?

Haha I may put off plans to go drink with my gf (and her friends) so I can listen to the new Weezer album. I feel so young.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah dude, thanks so much

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

If there's anything on this album as good as "Shakin'" by Rooney (best Weezer song of the century) I will cry with joy. 6 minutes of downloadin' to go!!!

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:53 (twenty-one years ago)

It sounds pretty decent so far.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

miccio

i expect a running commentary of your first listen (please!)

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Fine then!

"Bevery Hills": growing on me. Pleasant if a subject I totally can't relate with on any level. I'm an east coast guy.

"Perfect Situation": Rick Rubin, I kiss you.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:08 (twenty-one years ago)

"This Is Such A Pity": the first four bars just made me shit myself

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:09 (twenty-one years ago)

"Perfect Situation" is pretty great.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

In this really strange way I find that I relate to "Beverly Hills" more than most of Rivers' songs about girls. That whole spoken section at the end leading up to the "I might as well enjoy my life and watch the stars play" line rings true to me, in a kind of "I make no money but enjoy reading Gawker Stalker" sort of way.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:14 (twenty-one years ago)

The keybs and guitar solo on that rule.

"hold me": first quarter round-up, this is kind what I'd hoped/settled on. Rivers is putting more energy into arrangements and lyrics than he did on the last two albums, but in the near-decade since Pinkerton he's been detaching further from reality and really lacks the detail and insight that made that album so remarkable and one of my favorite albums of the 90s. Rubin's zen tutelage has brought him out from his cloistered gibberish-bashout scene but he's not going to drop much science, just platitudes. But they're pretty as fuck and the variety of hooks and honesty mean that for the converted (which I certainly am) we're still gonna get some sweet sounds. It's a sell-out album but that might be better than Green Album III: Maladroit II (which I still would probably enjoy). That said the distance between "Across The Sea" and "Hold Me" is kinda sad.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

keybs and solo on "Pity" I mean.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I typically have not much use for his music, but OMG when did Rivers become such a cubbish little cutie?

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Ok now i have 'perfect situation' and i LOVE this so far, but the auto tune on this is kind of annoying. I loved when rivers voice couldn't quite make it to places and broke and stuff on pinkerton.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:19 (twenty-one years ago)

"peace": Lovely guitar tones but two moony songs in a row does not bode well.

haha Matthew you like later GBV albums right? you must be eating this up.

yeah the rough edges of Pinkerton are missed, though I like the novelty of these guys going for ultra-ultra-polish

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

"My Best Friend" is pretty fun.

Seriously, the further Cuomo gets from "reality," the better. Less emo, more wackiness, thanks.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

"We Are All On Drugs": This lacks the profundity of Paul Revere & The Raiders' "Kicks"

ON DRUGS...

You want your (merely) wacky cock-rock, here ya go.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:25 (twenty-one years ago)

"The Damage In Your Heart": Ok I miss the gibberish bash-out. The summer wind, came blowing in, from across the sea...

I'd probably like this song more if it didn't follow "Hold Me" and "Peace"

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:29 (twenty-one years ago)

"Pardon Me": ok this is their worst album yet.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait till you get to Freak Me Out

― Jimmy Mod Knows You Eat Your Own Farts (ModJ), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, this isn't far off from Isolation Drills and Do The Collapse.

"We Are All On Drugs" is pretty good, but "The Other Way" is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for. I haven't spent much time with this obvs, but I think this is above average for a Weezer album. Most of them are only good for four or five songs, and this might have six or seven keepers, like the Blue Album.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:34 (twenty-one years ago)

My favorite thing about this record is that it sounds like he's writing it specifically for high school kids to enjoy.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Or elementary schoolers.

"My Best Friend": Vapid and moony are the two adjectives that come up the most when thinking about these songs. This song is more up-tempo than the last few.

God, I was actually planning to buy this at full-price. I owe you, Brainwasher.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:37 (twenty-one years ago)

OH NO :(

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:37 (twenty-one years ago)

its like Barney meets Boston

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:38 (twenty-one years ago)

What do you mean by "moony"?

It kinda blows my mind that you're disappointed by the depth of the lyrics. Dude, it's Weezer. It's always been this way.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:39 (twenty-one years ago)

The harmonica solo on "Freak Me Out" made me laugh out loud the first time I heard it! Nicely done.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Matthew, the first two albums have loads more detail and specifics in the lyrics the lyrics. You're a non-fan, a'ight? Surprised you don't prefer Maladroit as its more cryptic.

"The Other Way": another relatively uptempo number. The guitar solos are enjoyable.

"I HAVE MANY DOUBTS ABOUT MOTIVES! I HAVE MANY FEARS ABOUT MY GREED!" Sting would have put a literary reference or two in there.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

What do you mean by "moony"?

Hoooooolding his nooooooootesssss. Dopey (you know, for kids!)

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:44 (twenty-one years ago)

"Freak Me Out": Very nice, unexpected arrangement. My favorite song since "This Is Such A Pity"

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm a fan of Weezer songs, but not so much of Weezer, if that makes sense. The lyrics on the first two were more concrete and specific, and I appreciate that, but the general content has been pretty much the same thing since day one. I don't think this record is a departure or anything. None of them have been. They are a very formulaic band.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

three songs downloaded and this is really good so far.

i love the female "this is such a pity" on the track of the same name.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:48 (twenty-one years ago)

It's funny, I was excited for the big studio turn here but the last two albums had a lot more swing and zip (haha relative of course). Rivers's gibberish allowed you to focus on the melodic hooks and rocking out. So many of these songs are slow, with lyrics that are devoid of value. yahh.

"Haunt You Every Day": welp. yeah. that's over.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess if Pinkerton really "spoke to me" then maybe I'd be kinda upset or something. The only Weezer song that I have any emotional/sentimental attachment to is "Keep Fishin'"

The way I see it, Weezer is intended for a relatively narrow age group, and it's totally logical to grow out of it. It's like how superhero comics are really meant for kids and young teens, but people older than that can still enjoy them for sheer entertainment value, nostalgia, or because they are still kinda stuck in that mindset. I think that Cuomo is definitely writing for teens, and that teens will like this better than the post-collegiate folks who have moved on a bit but still cling to the first two albums.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. And yeah, "This Is Such A Pity" is the standout to me.. magical really.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:52 (twenty-one years ago)

if the teens want to be given goo-goo platitudes and slack tempos

(x-post)

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:54 (twenty-one years ago)

and of course people in high school will prefer this to people familiar to their previous work

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:57 (twenty-one years ago)

"This Is Such A Pity" is only kinda so-so for me right now. I like the part where he sings "you think I'm a fascist pig" but the rest is just kinda lukewarm faux-new wave and that's not working for me.

Since when do teenagers not love terrible lyrics?

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:57 (twenty-one years ago)

haha I like your "yeah this is inocuous crap but the kids will eat it up" mentality. very a&r.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 01:58 (twenty-one years ago)

But it's true!

I like how artless and unpoetic the lyrics are, how it just sounds like he's singing lines from email. So direct and baldly stated that it's actually really weird. It's emo as imagined by robots.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:02 (twenty-one years ago)

the handclaps in 'perfect situation' are so good.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the first three tracks and "Freak Me Out" are all I really ever want to hear again (though I'll give it all another shot or three)

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:05 (twenty-one years ago)

"This Is Such A Pity" really does stick out. Brisk tempo helps oodles.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Have we figured out what song "My Best Friend" rips off yet?

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:09 (twenty-one years ago)

ok I'll put it on again because you have some satanic pact with the leak world and I OWE YOU

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:11 (twenty-one years ago)

the guitar riff is kinda "taxman"

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:12 (twenty-one years ago)

on the verse, obv

btw i bet once the music sticks out to me more and I notice the lyrics less I'll enjoy this album more than I currently do. It's not like New Found Glory bad or anything.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:13 (twenty-one years ago)

im on to Hold Me, which i had an acoustic demo of before that was RUBBISH and it was that that destroyed any excitement i had for this album about a week ago. But i like this version.

this really is the album they should have done in 1998.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm glad they are using more piano/keyboards on this ala 'longtime sunshine'. One of my fave weezer tracks.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:16 (twenty-one years ago)

oh yeah I've heard that acoustic demo. and "longtime sunshine" is nice.

in case I later talk about this album as a batch of dopey little good-time hooks and why people hatin' just remember I was ASKED to do a play-by-play by Hari here. First listens are usually the most disappointing when something heavily anticipated.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Hearing some of these tracks out of order (just threw on "Peace" after "My Best Friend") makes them more listenable. The wait for speedy after "This Is Such A Pity" was tickin' me off.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

That could explain things. I certainly don't have the patience to listen to much of anything in order anymore. I just flicked through to whatever grabbed me.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

you sonuva...PLAY BY THE RULES

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i think this would be disappointing me had my anticipation level not reached absolutely zero last week.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:22 (twenty-one years ago)

That's the other thing, I really didn't care whether this was good or not.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:23 (twenty-one years ago)

you guys really should check out "Shakin'" by Rooney if you haven't already. I heard it on the radio months ago without knowing who it was and wondered if they leaked a Rubin/Weezer track superearly or something. It's got a similar production vibe, more pep and a dropdead vocal imitation.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I like Rooney's album.. nice little power pop outfit. They have a new one coming out this year.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a feeling this is the end of weezer though. I think it'll sell well but i predict some kind of hiatus before summer 2006.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I dunno if its the end of them professionally (depends if Rivers can keep himself sane) but I've definitely given up on the possibility of them reaching previous glories. If Rubin couldn't make it happen nobody can. Cuomo's still a tunesmith but totally beyond the pale.

Rooney's got the video up at their site listen-not-watch and you won't believe it.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:29 (twenty-one years ago)

But isn't that half of Cuomo does, though? They spend more time on hiatus than recording and touring.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 24 April 2005 02:30 (twenty-one years ago)

So everyone here likes this? Guess I'm totally checked out from "alternative rock and roll". I just can't take the fakeness of the oh-so-huge-and-slick wall-o-guitar. It doesn't express anything to me--not fun, not "emotions," nothing. It's like the production equivalent of how after Pearl Jam/Stone Temple Pilots, every white rock singer on the radio thought each word have to be sung with lips tight against teeth and three extra vowels in each word.

― I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 03:39 (twenty-one years ago)

that Roony song is really not so good. Weezer have done about a half-dozen songs this decade already that blow it out of the water. Including "Beverly Hills".

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Sunday, 24 April 2005 04:31 (twenty-one years ago)

miccio OTM about Rivers being nuts. that Rolling Stone cover story seriously creeped me out in a way that few tales of traditional rock star eccentricity have. I can't even watch the new video without noticing how dude looks dead inside when I look at his eyes.

― Al (sitcom), Sunday, 24 April 2005 05:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Rivers totally comes across all J Mascis on 'perfect situation'

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:39 (twenty-one years ago)

"Freak You Out" = Ash b-side

I wouldn't mind "Perfect Situation" if it didn't have that old-hat chord progression.

First impressions: not so good.

― Simon H. (Simon H.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

i finally have the whole thing

So far i think it's alright but with a WEEEEAK middle section.

from 'peace' to 'the other way' is pretty blah.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

The Blue Album was like air when I was growing up (soundtracked my grade 8 grad, it was the only thing we could all agree on), and although I didn't get into it until it started hitting discount bins I really like Pinkerton.

But my favorite one is the Green Album; so quick, so simple, so awesome. I'd take it over the Blue Album (which has not aged well with me AT ALL) any time. Maladroit is decent but is mostly worth it for how creepy it is hearing how much further down the Howard Hughes path Rivers is/was getting. I was genuinely surprised/happy to see him looking normal and happy in the video for "Keep Fishing" (plus Muppets!).

"Beverly Hills" is the worst a "comeback" single has ever made me feel. I was fully prepared for him to keep cracking up (I don't think there's much anyone can do at this point, and that RS story isn't making me think any different), I was prepared for gloss or whatever, but...

I don't think it's the lyrics (well, maybe - they're definitely bad). I don't necessarily think it's the music. What it is he/they've lost, it's something intangible. Or else it's me. Whatever. I downloaded all the individual songs up there (thanks My Best Friend!), and they're not horrible, they're certainly not bad, but I feel no desire to hear them again. Not even "This Is Such A Pity".

And Andrew, dude, how can you hate "Hash Pipe"? "Hash Pipe" is awesome.

― Ian Mathers, Monday, 25 April 2005 05:37 (twenty-one years ago)

dumb song, dumb video. Not much else to say about it, sorry.

Maybe in a vacuum it's a good song but I'll still never get over how harshly it broke my heart. Some things are not forgivable.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Monday, 25 April 2005 14:45 (twenty-one years ago)

one of my ex-boyfriends got a leaked copy of this album AND HE WILL NOT SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT. Every away message is lyrics from that goddamn album, every conversation he initates with me is about that goddamn album AND I WISH I WAS DEAD.

I'm sorry, but I think everything post-Pinkerton is just terrible, this album included.

― Jessie the Monster (scarymonsterrr), Monday, 25 April 2005 17:28 (twenty-one years ago)

hahaha

its got a couple good songs. Lyrics are trite and awful though.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Monday, 25 April 2005 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm one of the Weezer/Pinkerton fans, grew up with them, sang them in middle school, yah yah yah. Like many of my generation after Matt Sharp left and the new stuff came out it just felt like dropping, like slick little animal droppings. The Green Album came out and I was like "shit, what happened, they dropped the ball!" and then I gave it to listening to it as a pop album and for a week or two I saw satisfied. "Maladroit" I hoped would restore them to past glories but as the demos leaked my expectations dropped and by the time it came out I could only bring myself to keep a handful of MP3s, which I haven't listened to in years.

This new one was hinted at as something that could be good and soulful like "Pinkerton" but listening to it, it's really wretched, and on top of that all the choruses and hooks are not very catchy at all, even compared to the last two records. Anyways my final ruling is "weak, weak, weak". I won't even keep the "Beverly Hills" MP3 this time around. Just bad music. Sorry, Weezer.

― Adam Bruneau (oliver8bit), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Matt Sharp really was the key to this band. I don't know why people give Rivers any time at all. Overinflated sense of self-worth does not = mysterious crazy talent.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

so the verdict: mostly sucky with a few good tracks. sigh.

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 06:52 (twenty-one years ago)

all is forgiven if they make a video for "This Is Such A Pity." That solo!

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

So Pitchfork gave it a 0.4 today. I listen to this album once and it’s so unbelievably bad that it makes the awful Maladroit seem like a long lost classic (not). I think the ranking is a bit harsh but I will never play it again, so maybe it’s right on. Haven’t read the reviews because I already knew it was bad. They should pack it in and go away for ten years and reform for Coachella 2015.

― BeeOK (boo radley), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 02:58 (twenty-one years ago)

What. Ever.

That Pitchfork score is totally uncalled for.

― The Brainwasher (Twilight), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, really. As far as I'm concerned, Weezer only has three albums. This one and the two from the '90s.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:04 (twenty-one years ago)

From a hardcore Weezer fan, I thought the review was good. Who cares about some number? The review easily could have had a 4.5 next to it, which no one would get upset about. He seemed genuinely disappointed, and he explained his case without resorting to anything childish, unlike Sylvester in his review of "Make Believe." I don't like to see anything Weezer does get panned, but the review was reasoned and articulate.

― Roadkill Bingo (Roadkill Bingo), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Pitchfork is working?

― Jimmy Mod, Sultan of Sexxitime (ModJ), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:18 (twenty-one years ago)

The rating was absurd but ratings are dumb shit anyhow. Fine, dead-on review, and the only sentence I had any beef with was: The one half-decent song on the record, "This Is Such a Pity", fails to even maintain its status as a pleasant Cars homage, interjecting a guitar solo that sounds like it was cut from the original score to Top Gun. There's an implication that the Top Gun solo is a bad thing.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Seriously, it teh 'Fork working for other people?

― Jimmy Mod, Sultan of Sexxitime (ModJ), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:27 (twenty-one years ago)

it wasn't working earlier for me today but its working now

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:28 (twenty-one years ago)

!!!

― Jimmy Mod, Sultan of Sexxitime (ModJ), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Internet is broken, someone fix it, thx.

― Jimmy Mod, Sultan of Sexxitime (ModJ), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

you're not missing that much, dude

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it really that bad then?

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

The Pitchfork thing is just a lot of bitching. On their rating scale, it's more of a 6.5-7.0 This is all "I've been wronged!" fanboy whining. It's not that great but it's not that bad. Anything with a song as good as "Beverly Hills" can't possibly be called a bad album.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, are you trying to get a job at Interscope at something? Are they watching?

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm curious cuz you're more hung up on dismissing negative reactions than explaining why this album is actually good (aside from that teens like crap or something).

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

oh and in case Rob Mitchum is watching, I'm listening to Pinkerton now and while the lyrics may not be mondo affecting depending on your mindstate and ability to fathom Rivers as a human, the music is still brash and hella fun. I'm curious if anybody who likes Make Believe has played Pinkerton in the last five years.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

haha omg I've hit "El Scorcho" and this album is still a frikkin classic. Screw this "was a kid at the time" talk, I found out years after I got into the album that it was Chuck Eddy's favorite rock album of '96 when it came out and the dude HAD kids. Lots of crazy hooks everywhere, loaded with funny, touching, honest details, Pat Wilson rules, great melodies, just a top notch mix of pop-metal musical glee and indie-style sadsack lyrics more specific and evocative than all the imitators.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm still getting off the mat after that "zero / hero" rhyme in the 2nd (3rd?) song. (Little things kill, tearing out my brainpans & shit oh littah littah littah littah etc.)

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 14:01 (twenty-one years ago)

God, these songs on Pinkerton have such full arrangements, tons of breakdowns, choruses always slightly altered, there's quite a bit of PROG going on here only you don't necessarily notice it cuz the melodies are so good.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 14:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Rivers must've removed the Magma & Amon Duul from the spreadsheet before he went to Harvard.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

pinkerton is one of the most awesome things of the 90s, for absolute certain.

― Sean M (Sean M), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I always wondered if those Harvard music classes were to credit for his songwriting ambition here.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 14:19 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:z9en97rfkrkt

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

it's pretty much a given that they won't respond to Rick Rubin's sleek, layered, propulsive production, which makes Weezer sound far more new wave than Ric Ocasek ever did. (Rubin also keeps the band far away from the pseudo-new wave of the Killers and the Bravery, which is why he's a highly paid pro.)

???

― elgek, Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:52 (twenty-one years ago)

i know i'm missing most of the record but the weezer i like only seems to shine through on "this is such a pity".. other than that- this thing has been boring me madly.

― ZionTrain (ZionTrain), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 15:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I enjoy "This Is Such A Pity" but I feel weird because I realize I'm laughing AT Rivers rather than with him. It's a great goofy song that actually uses the rhythm section but god he really is beyond the pale.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Miccio - the record is good because there are eight good, catchy, fun pop songs on it. It's pretty much as simple as that. It's good for the same reason the other four Weezer albums are good. This idea that they've changed much is a bunch of nonsense. They are less consistent and the lyrics are worse. Boo hoo.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I love how we're all pretending like Pinkerton doesn't have duds on it too. "No Other One" and "Pink Triangle" are nothing special.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

No Other One is the weakest but Pink Triangle is absolutely CLASSIC.

― Crackity (Crackity Jones), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

...and are completely sucked dry of energy and fun and aren't catchy and don't have good melodies and are a big hollow shell with KISS's guitar tone kind of AND THATS IT NONE OF KISS'S ROCK

PS no other one is my favorite Weezer song

― 1/10th of my life span, Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

actually wait, that's Falling for You. I always mix them up. both are classic.

― 1/10th of my life spant, Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

This is interesting...it could come down to a question of what constitutes "catchy."

― Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

'Catchy' like flypaper vs. 'catchy' like VD?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I think it's okay, better than the last two records for sure. Best since Pinkerton.

― jel -- (jel), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 17:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Is there anyone out there who is going to slam this record without resorting to reactionary hyperbole? Everyone who disses it just sounds like they are talking about somebody who dumped them and ran off with their best friend.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

at least the vigor of those who once were incredibly fond of Weezer makes sense. Your strong enthusiasm for an album you yourself admit is subpar and mediocre is way more baffling.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 18:32 (twenty-one years ago)

people are disappointed because 1. the lyrics are incredibly banal 2. the production removes much of the "rock" that made people enjoy the previous releases 3. the pace of the album is exceptionally sluggish 4. some people think the band was once exceptional at this kind of pop-rock, both musically and lyrically. its distressing for them to see how the band has lost their charms. Yes, you never cared for their previous full-lengths. Bravo. Others did. The differences between them are obvious and have been stated.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

If anything you should be patting yourself on the back a la Matos, saying they were always a mediocre group with some mildly amusing hits, rather than trumpeting the quality of this album.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

miccio=making some serious sense here. that pretty much breaks it down.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah that's basically why the album isn't that good to me. I do enjoy parts definitely. But knowing the Blue Album and Pinkerton are just never going to happen again sucks.

― Roadkill Bingo (Roadkill Bingo), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Your strong enthusiasm for an album you yourself admit is subpar and mediocre is way more baffling.

I think that the LYRICS are subpar and mediocre. Songs are much more than a bunch of words, Anthony.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Curious, but which albums ARE going to happen again, Roadkill Bingo?

My position is that they are a singles band and that this album does nothing to tarnish their record of perfect singles, so long as they release the obvious songs to radio/mtv. (That being any song from side a, really.)

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Songs are much more than a bunch of words, Anthony.

if you read, you'll note I acknowledge flaws far beyond the lyrics.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:03 (twenty-one years ago)

!!!

Yeah. They are mostly better than Weezer....

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Geir, the fact that you seem to kinda like !!! is very interesting to me.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:09 (twenty-one years ago)

It is the part of me that likes electronica that kinda likes !!! too.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:09 (twenty-one years ago)

And as for Weezer, borrowed a couple of their CDs from the library. Tried to get into them. But I just can't get into them. There may be some nice tunes, but they are mostly buried in a way too loud wall of big and noisy guitars. "Buddy Holly" was great though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:11 (twenty-one years ago)

hmm....but !!! seems very anathema to some of your core values, like songwriting, melody, *cough* good singing *cough*....

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)

man this album sucks :(

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:37 (twenty-one years ago)

if you read, you'll note I acknowledge flaws far beyond the lyrics.

Yeah, but I didn't. You were putting words in my mouth: Your strong enthusiasm for an album you yourself admit is subpar and mediocre is way more baffling.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:41 (twenty-one years ago)

*shocked agreement w/Geir*

Buddy Holly is the only good song this band was ever capable of. And even *that* one is painfully paper-thin and silly.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

(i kinda don't mind two or three songs off the first album, and that's it. ok bye.)

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:52 (twenty-one years ago)

hmm....but !!! seems very anathema to some of your core values, like songwriting, melody, *cough* good singing *cough*....

Doesn't help much when everything is buried in loud guitars.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm kinda shocked at Chaki's not liking the new album, actually! Or well, not shocked but sad that it let him down, since I know he loves him the Weezer.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:54 (twenty-one years ago)

that does it. Next album, Rivers goes Broooooooooooooaaaadway!

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I also heard Rivers is going to sell all his guitars and buy two turntables.

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:57 (twenty-one years ago)

yah. it let me down. i love the weez.

xpost.. pinkerton was based on madam butterfly so maybe thats not a bad idea!

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 22:58 (twenty-one years ago)

DJ Cuomo's God Ma Dam Dog!.. street date, spring 2006

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:00 (twenty-one years ago)

It would be fabulous if this record ended up being their biggest selling record. "Beverly Hills" is already a big hit and they could totally squeeze four of five hits out of this record. The last time I went to the mat against a legion of haters like this it was Gwen Stefani, and I was totally vindicated by the massive popularity of that album.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)

...er, vindicating what, though?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:02 (twenty-one years ago)

It would just prove to me that a whole bunch of people more or less agreed with me, and it would probably keep the band from distancing themselves from the record like they seem to be doing with Maladroit, in spite of that record having two of their best singles ever.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:04 (twenty-one years ago)

The last time I went to the mat against a legion of haters like this it was Gwen Stefani, and I was totally vindicated by the massive popularity of that album

get over one self

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:07 (twenty-one years ago)

if I ever spent more time talking about how special it was that I liked Good Charlotte rather than explaining why I did and why I think other people would enjoy it to, I apologize.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Just teasing you, matthew, but the interscope rumors are only getting worse with every post ;)

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

get over one self

Well I'm not trying to say that I had anything to do with it, Anthony! Just that it's nice to have the "will of the people" on my side since they disagree with me about almost everything else.

If only I was working for Interscope! Seriously. I'd love to, you know, have money.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

you miss my point, matthew

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:13 (twenty-one years ago)

It would just prove to me that a whole bunch of people more or less agreed with me

Is that important, though? I'm serious! (I mean, I *love* it when something I like gets popular and gains praise, but I don't know what if anything that proves to me.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:14 (twenty-one years ago)

id like to have money too

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, it matters to me in cases like this cos I really really really realllllly hate reactionary "I liked their old stuff but now they SUCK!!!" indie boy bullshit. It's just a thing.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:15 (twenty-one years ago)

but in this case its true and miccio is the farthest thing from an 'indie boy' on the net.

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, it matters to me in cases like this cos I really really really realllllly hate reactionary "I liked their old stuff but now they SUCK!!!" indie boy bullshit. It's just a thing.

Well, sometimes the early stuff is better (and that's a subjective thing after all, bladdy bladdy blah). and the opposite is just as reactionary and bullshitty. I'm not saying you're doing that, Matthew, but contrarians are more prone to being reactionary than human indie clichés...

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah yeah, four hundredth verse same as the verse, Chaki...

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:19 (twenty-one years ago)

oh I'm not the farthest.

(x-post)

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:19 (twenty-one years ago)

though I have sold back a lot of Rob Pollard in recent years

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, but I don't really think I'm necessarily being contrarian about this - I definitely feel a need to stick up for the record cos I think it's being unfairly dismissed, but I genuinely like most of the record and I'm mystified as to why so many people who are already predisposed to liking the band would dislike it given that it's not very different from their previous work. Maybe it's because I was never as invested in them as, say, Miccio. That could be it. Most people I know who have had a similarly casual relationship with the band over the years seem to feel the same way as I do.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I would describe how the album is unlike their previous work, but then I already did that.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:24 (twenty-one years ago)

the only good thing i can say about it is rivers' voice sounds really good. i will go see them on this tour to hear him sing the old songs with his beautiful voice. sorry if this has already been said. i dont read whole threads.

― charleston charge (chaki), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Matthew you really should read people's whole posts (and listen to a band's whole album for that matter) if you're going to comment on them.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I blame being too old, though I don't argue it 100% successfully

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Anthony, I have read your whole posts, and I have listened to the entire album. I just thing you're wrong.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Think you're wrong, that is.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:30 (twenty-one years ago)

well would you mind pointing out how I'm wrong rather than ignoring the details I bring up and just chalking it up to "investment."

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:31 (twenty-one years ago)

unless you really want to come off like the Roger Adultery of the irrelevant.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, it's just a matter of subjective preference - I think that eight of the twelve songs are good, you do not. I side with me. Does that make sense?

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:36 (twenty-one years ago)

so i guess the answer is "you do"

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Besides, I know that you read my little review on my site, Anthony. You already know what I like about the record. There's no need for me to get into here when I already explained it, especially not when I'm participating in this thread between segments of Gilmore Girls.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:49 (twenty-one years ago)

well if you're going to dismiss why people don't like it here without acknowledging why they do and if you're celebrate it here, then yeah, if you want to sound like you have a clue (and again I don't see how these lyrics are in any way more adolescent than their earlier ones - just dumber) you might want to detail your stance. Otherwise people are going to assume you're either a shill or a reactionary (which is what you sound like when you, of all people, moan about "indie boys").

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

No, I understand why you're saying why you don't like the songs. You hate the lyrics (granted, but a) I don't really need lyrics to be good and b) I find these lyrics perversely fascinating in the context of Rivers' public persona) and think that the songs aren't well written. I disagree on the last point. I understand why some people think that the lyrics and performance on the album seems hollow and soulless, and I don't totally disagree with that. I think that's one of the interesting things about the record, I think that adds a really interesting subtext to the songs. I think that this record says just as many odd and uncomfortable things about Cuomo as Pinkerton did, and I think that is actually the most similar record in their catalog, though the music sounds more like The Green Album.

I absolutely love the video for "Beverly Hills." He just looks so incredibly uncomfortable at the Playboy Mansion, but he's still putting on that smile and looking on with those cold empty eyes. He's still looking like he's having some kind of good time regardless. I relate to that a hell of a lot more than stalking half-Japanese cellists.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, it matters to me in cases like this cos I really really really realllllly hate reactionary "I liked their old stuff but now they SUCK!!!" indie boy bullshit. It's just a thing.

This usually applies when the early stuff had hardly any commercial success while the more recent stuff has sold bucketloads. In the case of Weezer, their first album was their biggest hit by far.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 00:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, that attitude is hardly limited to music that isn't commercially successful. It's usually more intense and insidious when the early music is hugely successful and/or canonized.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I hope Miccio appreciates the hilarity of this thread and how he finds himself banging his head against what he perceives as the kind of stonewalling reactionary contrarianism that he's so often accused of. (note: I plead ignorance on the issue at hand as I don't give two shits about Weezer. but this thread's been very entertaining).

― Al (sitcom), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 04:19 (twenty-one years ago)

This thread is hilarious but I don't think I get accused of stonewalling or being reactionary. Just contrarian.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 04:54 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, stonewalling probably isn't right. reactionary, though, maybe.

― Al (sitcom), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

also if I find people knocking an album I enjoy and feel the need to comment, its usually to point out specific qualms I have with people's comments and note the qualities I enjoy. Deriding a strawman (is there anybody posting here who dislikes Make Believe and also disliked the last two albums? I voted for both in pazz'n'jop myself. Don't see how we could be comeback-hating nostalgiacs) and describing how I hope the album will do well and prove you all wrong...what's the point of that?

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 05:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm suprised that people even have the energy to discuss this tripe...treasure Pinkerton, it will always be a classic...Cuomo has lost "it" and can now only spew lazy, tuneless garbage....albums released this month that are more worthy of your discussion: Smog, Spoon, Scout Niblett, Boredoms, Gorillaz, Four Tet, Quasimoto

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I don't think my "strawman" is quite so hypothetical, Anthony...

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, let's talk about the "tunefulness" of Smog! That should be a real corker of a thread.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Perpetua - your idea of a "tune" falls in line with that of most A&R men, I suspect...and please, Callahan can say "fuck all y'all" and emit more pleasure, poignancy and yes "tunefulness" than anything Weezer has produced in the last 9 years

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 13:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I just have always really disliked Smog. I would never consider Callahan to be a guy who has written many catchy pop songs. What he does has merit, but it's really not the same thing.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Jandek >>> Smog

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

it seems like matthew thinks that listening to music with totally objective ears is something admirable... a skill to be honed. he may even have equations that can scientifically prove to us that "make believe" is a good album.

― shut up, Wednesday, 11 May 2005 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, kinda - there are eight songs on Make Believe that I like, which is equal to Pinkerton in the sense that that album also has eight songs that I like. But with the exception of "Beverly Hills" and maybe "Perfect Situation," I like the Pinkerton songs more. It's hard to be entirely objective about art appreciation, but I can be objective in counting the number of songs that I like on any given record and having that factor into whether or not I would recommend it to others. Any record that is 2/3 good is waaaaaay above average in my experience. Most albums are lucky to have even two good tracks.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I think Matthew actually, genuinely likes the album, guys.

― Eppy (Eppy), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 16:35 (twenty-one years ago)

The guitar solo in "Beverly Hills" makes me gag and the rest of the song is just embarrassing.

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 17:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Maladroit is kinda underrated I think. Dope Nose....now THAT was a SONG, boys!

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

haha if anything this stuff has made me excited to throw on that and the Green Album again.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Green Album, Maladroit, Make Believe - all the same. 2 or 3 decent tracks, rest are average. Can't understand this hysteria at all. Weezer have not been an album band since their return in 2001, that's all.

― zeus, Wednesday, 11 May 2005 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Seriously, why are people saying Green and Maladroit were good albums? Maladroit is one of the worst, most half-baked albums I've heard. His vocals and the guitar sound terrible.

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

its ok cuz the next album is guna be another beard album

― charleston charge (chaki), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it just me, or does "This Is Such a Pity" seems like some sort of bizarro anti-war song? Rivers has basically turned into a wacko hippy now with all his meditation.

― Roadkill Bingo (Roadkill Bingo), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Matthew, admit it: YOU LOVE IT.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

If Matthew won't, I will. I LOVE MAKE BELIEVE.

Does anyone else remember how sourly Pinkerton was greeted, only to be regarded now as Weezer's masterpiece? All I'm saying is that, in 10 years, I'll be able to say "told you so."

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd think you'd have better things to do than worry about a spat on a message board about an album in ten years' time.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, the hate for Make Believe is not confined to ILM. It's rampant and widespread.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I still think you'd have much better things to do.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I do too. I don't plan on sitting around for ten years marking off days on a calendar until May 2015 arrives. But, if I think of it then, I'll come back and say "told you so."

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Charlotte in NYC will post a response saying you're an old man. Be warned.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:53 (twenty-one years ago)

actually, as I noted upthread, it was Chuck Eddy's favorite rock album of 1996. I was judging albums the same way Matthew was when it came out (I said a lot of things Matthew says when I was in high school) and thought it was a 7 out of 10 for having seven great songs. It got a three stars in rolling stone. It was a commercial flop but I don't remember Pinkerton getting much in the way of hate aside from that Rolling Stone worst albums thing.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 20:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"El Scorcho" and "Good Life" were decent sized radio hits here too. The headline of my article about Pinkerton for the local paper was oddly "Pinkerton is dirty, but it works" thanks to an editor who misunderstood my statements re: its coarse sound.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Metacritic has a score of 43, which makes it the second worst album released, so far, in 2005. Only Moby scored worst with a 42 rating. Only three publications have given it a 65% or better grade and that is Rolling Stone, E, and Entertainment Weekly.

After refreshing this thread I decided to listen to it again. It didn’t make me want to pull my hair out, like I wanted to on first listen, but can’t really see the need to play it many more times. Don't think that this album will go down in history as being a classic.

― BeeOK (boo radley), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

and also you guys aren't exactly telling us what we'll realize in ten years other than that it rules. Oh, and that Rivers is writing intriguingly awful lyrics.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Little did we know that a cult of young bands would take the banality of Make Believe as a musical touchstone, a forerunner of the "dummo" rock trend.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:03 (twenty-one years ago)

The emphasis on lyrics is ridiculous. Unless you're a folkie, lyrics are completely secondary.

Musically, I think Make Believe is some of the band's best stuff. Certainly better form than anything they've made since Pinkerton. It may not be a touchstone like Pinkerton, but it's the proper third link in the chain that began in 1994.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

my statement re: banality did not refer merely to lyrics.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I haven't bothered to read about 70% of this thread, but you like Green and Maladroit don't you? The absurdity of calling Make Believe banal while liking their last two albums is beyond comprehension for me.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I could see the argument that those albums are banal as well, though in a different way (they both rock a hell of a lot more if rhythm sections mean anything to you). But then I'm not saying you'll all realize how awesome they are in ten years. I think one's opinion of either today will probably stand the test of time.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I was judging albums the same way Matthew was when it came out (I said a lot of things Matthew says when I was in high school) and thought it was a 7 out of 10 for having seven great songs.

oof, low blow.

― Al (sitcom), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Rivers has basically turned into a wacko hippy now with all his meditation.
-- Roadkill Bingo

"Now"? He was born and raised on a Yogic ashram.

― Mark (MarkR), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:31 (twenty-one years ago)

matthew you need to hurry up and mature to singer songwriter bullshit so you won't be where miccio was in high school. get with it dude!

― j blount (papa la bas), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:33 (twenty-one years ago)

were you waiting for an "in," dude?

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:34 (twenty-one years ago)

and I'm referring much more to the debating style than my musical tastes.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

haha my high school self would jump off a cliff if he knew the pop crap I've reappreciated.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:37 (twenty-one years ago)

so much style that it's wasted!

― j blount (papa la bas), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I still like Pavement, though! Just have a harder time telling friends that they're missing the beauty and feeling self-righteous about my fanship.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Rather how I feel about R.E.M. these days

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

OTM

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

granted, I'm a little suspicious of Matthew's overly simpleheaded "catchy poppy yay" value system here, but Anthony, I hope you realize that saying "oh, you're thinking the way I did when I was 16, maybe you'll catch up to me someday" is not that different from saying "oh, in 10 years you'll realize this album is good".

― Al (sitcom), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

"oh, in 10 years you'll realize this album is good"

Man, I really wish I would've elaborated on that a bit more instead of simply sounding catty.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

no I'm saying that I used to have a similar way of dealing with opposing opinions and espousing my personal favorites.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

and catchy poppy yay is totally valid.

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

oh Fever, I didn't mean to specifically pick on you, although that is kind of an unwinnable argument. (xp)

― Al (sitcom), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I really should let sleeping threads lie and stop being a dick on here, but I'm spinning some of the tracks I don't plan to keep ("Perfect Situation," "This Is Such A Pity," and "Freak Me Out" will do me fine) and ok this ain't adolescent poetry shit this is BARNEY shit. "Pardon Me," "My Best Friend," listen to those lyrics and tell me you don't see a big purple dinosaur dopily leading children in some inane good manners yammer. Boston meets Barney. Feel it!

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:26 (twenty-one years ago)

http://pbskids.kids.us/images/sub-square-barney.gif

When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you
You make things alright when I'm feeling blue

You are such a blessing and I wont be messing
with the one thing that brings light to all of my darkness

You are my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

There is no other one that can take your place
I feel happy inside when I see your face
I hope you believe me
Because I speak sincerely
and I mean it when I tell you I need you

You are my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

I'm here right beside you
I will never leave you
and I feel the pain you feel when you start crying

You are my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do

You are my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
Yes I do...
Yes I do

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me, Anthony - should I be cowed by the majority of people who hate the record and assume that I'm wrong for enjoying the record? Am I wrong for engaging with music in the digital age, and I can just delete the songs I don't like, and focus more on the accumulation of good songs rather than insist than every record be an unimpeachable classic? Should I be totally unforgiving and unsympathetic to musicians, and demand that they always do exactly what I want and never go off on weird tangents that displease me as a consumer?

Sorry, but I'm not going to disagree with myself simply because a bunch of disappointed fans are hating on the record because it's not what they want it to be. (Maybe some of you would dig "Beverly Hills" more if the chorus was "Hot Asian teens, that's who I want to bone! / Stalking hot Asian teens!")

In ten years I doubt many people will think of Make Believe as being a classic, but I do think that a lot of Weezer fans will cool down and have some perspective on the record and maybe give the songs a fair shot because they won't feel so betrayed or whatever.

I really don't see how a goofy pop song about loving your best friend is any more or less dumb than a goofy pop song about going surfing because you don't like someone's face.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:36 (twenty-one years ago)

the pitchfork dude was right about how "We Are All On Drugs" fits with the diarrhea song

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, he was.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

And thus poop unites the warring factions.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

http://pbskids.kids.us/images/sub-square-barney.gif

― miccio (miccio), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 22:50 (twenty-one years ago)

The only "betrayal" fans seem to feel is that Weezer made what is by a fairly wide consesus a shitty album. Whether you enjoyed Maladroit or the Green Album is immaterial, and should be.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:03 (twenty-one years ago)

(Maybe some of you would dig "Beverly Hills" more if the chorus was "Hot Asian teens, that's who I want to bone! / Stalking hot Asian teens!")

HI STRAWMAN!

I just wanted some decent Weezer tunes dude. I don't ask for much.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Weezer are the only band I know where there was tons of discussion about how the general consensus on each album's quality was discussed three times in a row (S/T [Green], Maladroit, and Make Believe), and that it was mostly negative... yet Weezer fans have not given up by now, not in the least. Most bands wouldn't even last a lukewarm album consensus, much less three negative album consensi. (or is that consenses?) (Matthew is the exception here, obviously.)

Pavement never went even through that degree of scrutiny (aside from Pavement dedicated forums, of course)... not even Brighten The Corners or Terror Twilight. But then again, they broke up before they had a chance to outdo Weezer in this specific instance.

(I think we all agree that a best-of Weezer is now highly craved and highly due in about a year or so)

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:23 (twenty-one years ago)

(I mean, this plagued Neil Young in the 80s, obviously, but I'm talking about the same generation of fans of a given band here.. by the time the 90s rolled around, Young's fanbase certainly amended new recruits..)

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

(hmmm, i'm starting to think my original hypothesis is total bunk. Oh well. :( )

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Well it's probably also worth noting that The Blue Album and Pinkerton got tons of hate back when they were new records too. It was painfully uncool to admit to liking Weezer until at least 1999.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought lots of people liked Brighten the Corners....I did, at least...it's one of my favorites, actually. Am I outside the norm? Was it generally poorly received?

Terror Twilight doesn't get much love from anyone though.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't remember any Weezer hate back then.. but they weren't on a pedestal that they are on now, surely. I remember a back page review of a Weezer show from 1996 or so in the L.A. times, and it was terrible. The review went "Weezer are a fun 'average guy' rock band that has perfected songs for people who are average males!".

Certainly not a review they'd get now.

I won't comment on Pavement as I think Terror Twilight's their best album. I'd be SKWEWING WITH THE STATS!

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:43 (twenty-one years ago)

In fact, right around Pinkerton, Orange County CA (where I was living) got an influx of Weezer influenced bands, or even Weezer rip-off bands.. like Nerf Herder. (anyone remember them?)

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't remember any Weezer hate back then

Hi there! (I do agree that they weren't held in such high esteem then. Also, Nerf Herder were from Santa Barbara.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:46 (twenty-one years ago)

that Van Halen song is rad, I don't care what anybody says! I got the CD single for a buck at Cheapo! YAY!

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:47 (twenty-one years ago)

A lot of people love Brighten The Corners. There's some people who don't like it (I know Gygax has been very consistent in expressing disdain for that album since at least 99 or so), but I think that it's a lot of Pavement fans like but not as intensely as the first three lps. I know that it's a big classic to me, but it's not quite on the same level as Slanted & Enchanted and Wowee Zowee. I think BTC is the pinnacle of Malkmus as a lyricist, and it's definitely a big turning point in his career as a songwriter. I think a lot of folks who don't enjoy his solo/Jicks music view BTC as the beginning of the end, but whatever.

I'm a big fan of Terror Twilight too, but I'd have to say that out of the five Pavement LPs and the three Malkmus records, it's my least favorite.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 11 May 2005 23:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I knew this would turn into a Which Pavement Album Is Best? thread.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 12 May 2005 00:16 (twenty-one years ago)

i know it's supposedly trouble to do so, but why is no one going at this from the angle of authenticity or sincerity? i don't know how it plays out but i have no trouble admitting that i prefer the first two records to the next three because (regardless of whether they have well-constructed songs or acceptable lyrics that can be taken as signs of cuomo's neuroses) they're ahem more 'real'. i'm sure one can argue that there are, like, all the usual (to the tradition of pop-rock songwriting) emotional and rhetorical contents in the songs on the third and fourth albums, but i had trouble hearing that through what seemed like a constant layer of distance, like 'THIS IS A POP ROCK SONG' prepended to every note. and not in the interesting way that calls attention to the artifact or the process or something like that. more like a sign of poor human development.

to take the records this way is problematic, i suppose, but i don't think it can be avoided if you go for the band on an album level as opposed to a singles level. those first two records went for -some- kind of authenticity of -something- even while leaving it out in the open that doing so was not without problems. (like: reappropriating kiss? etc.)

(i say 'next three' but i haven't heard the new one, just the single; i haven't seen yet from that why i would want to hear the whole thing, but i'll probably hear it eventually.)

(i have not read every detail of this thread, so apologies if this is out of place.)

― Josh (Josh), Thursday, 12 May 2005 01:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I think its fair to say that this one will not undergo any Pinkerton-esque revisionism....people assaulted Pinkerton because it was more gritty and less immediate than the debut...people assault Make Believe because it is bland, lazy and cringe-worthy...Beverly Hills sounds like a Gap commercial,and the ballads are such an obvious ploy for a "hit single" that they sink from their own bloated expectation...Pinkerton had some childish lyrics but it came across as sincere, whereas MB just comes across as fake, in a very embarassing way....Cuomo is trying to mold the Weezer pattern into "catchy" (the same way that a commercial spot is "catchy" in that you cannot get the annoyingness out of your head) songs, whereas his first too albums created a Weezer pattern out of his own tortured insides...some of these aspects were cringe-worthy (such as the pre-pubescent japanese girl crush) but they were cringe-worthy in a sincere way...he's definetely (though I'm not sure he's doing it consciously) putting his fans on with this one, giving them something palatable that he expects they will buy, rather than creating something real...I'm not surprised Mathew likes this, as his taste usually falls for such pop music

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

something real

Please, never use this phrase again ever ever.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I wish the new Joss Stone Gap ads sounded more like "Beverly Hills" and less like super Latte lameness.

I hate to tell you this, but Weezer has been catchy in the same way since 1994. You can't unfry things, dude. He can't be what he's not.

Yeah, I do love pop music! That's totally true.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:31 (twenty-one years ago)

"something real" = something not banal/uninspired/put-on/forced

Mathew - I didn't necessarily mean it as a put-down, you have popist views and from a pop-ist standpoint I can see your love for this album....however, it runs conradictory to my views and everything I believe makes great music

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:39 (twenty-one years ago)

and I have no problem with pop music either...my criticism lies in your popist lack of quality control, the ambiguity of what you percieve as "catchy"...from your comments it doesn't seem that you have the ability to see-through the fake, commercial aspects of certain mainstream music...anything with a "hook" you can enjoy without being able to discern that which is made as a product (i.e. not art but a commodity) and that which is made as a true reflection of an artist...there's pop music that does this (Rivers Cuomo was once able to do this himself)...maybe its because I'm a musician and not a critic, but Make Believe reeks of a farce, a put-on stale tasting product, and you're buying into it

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

So what's your take on Avril Lavigne, then?

― Baaderonixx (it must be a camel) (Fabfunk), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

a stale-product as well, though she never even had the integrity that would inspire such fan-outrage

― Space Is the Place (Space Is the Place), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha, just wait til her fourth album.

My name has two t's!

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 12 May 2005 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

josh k otm.

I don't like the individual songs as much as you, Matthew ("Perfect Situation" is the one I -adore-), but the thing that stops me from even conceiving of this as a good -album- is what josh says. even if the number of good songs bumped above the 50% mark, i think i'd still prefer Pinkerton because of the way it mixed awesome punk-pop singleness -and- some good ole rock earnesty. i love bands that mix awesomely pure pop melodies with a little bit of heart and soul. (obv i'm not alone, and this is a fairly banal thing to say, but a lot of the talk hee has been about splitting into two camps - popist/rockist, love/hate MB, want 'real'/dismiss 'real, - and there's an obv middle way.) sigur ros's agaetis byrjun is like the bizarro version of pinkerton, albeit arted up.

avril's a perfect example! i love her last album, and it's got that same stupid emo genuineness that i love on Pinkerton (which Make Believe lacks). That doesn't matter at all on a singles level, nor would it if I thought MB was a super-awesome singles album (like Matthew does), but since I don't, the record's degree of disney-surf-rock distancing makes it much less compelling than Weezer's first 2.

I actually think it's pretty identical to The Green Album in terms of what it is.

― Sean M (Sean M), Thursday, 12 May 2005 15:05 (twenty-one years ago)

The word "authenticity" should be srtricken from all ILM threads.

As for "Make Believe," guys, c'mon. Follow the Oscar Wilde dictum: an [album] is either well written or badly written; that is all.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 12 May 2005 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

The word "authenticity" should be srtricken from all ILM threads.

The real problem is connotative. My feelings for and against many pieces of music are incredibly authentic!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 May 2005 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

i am not unfamiliar with ilm's history with concepts like authenticity. but it remains that some people relate to some things in ways centered around concepts like authenticity, sincerity, and so on. it's appropriate to some music, for some people, in ways not easily dismissable with ilm truisms. (a lot of the controversy over 'authenticity', for example, has had to do with instances where the concept is used as a way to characterize 'good' genres against 'bad' ones. but its failure to achieve what some people would like it to in those instances doesn't also thus take it out of circulation, stop it from being at play.)

how else to try to understand the weird, lurching artfulness/artlessness of say 'across the sea' (the most japanese song off pinkerson)?

― Josh (Josh), Friday, 13 May 2005 05:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I think a lot of the hate going Weezer's way is good in the long run as it will probably cause Rivers to go all self-conscious/breakdown again and make another record like Pinkerton, which many critics and fans want. It's a musical good cop/bad cop.

― Cunga (Cunga), Friday, 13 May 2005 06:57 (twenty-one years ago)

four months pass...

This song is awesome so don't say anything else if you think it's bad you have horrible taste..

― Ciara, Tuesday, 27 September 2005 19:43 (twenty years ago)

like Nerf Herder. (anyone remember them?)

I have some High School friends who worked with them on some tracks last year in Santa Barbara.

― Cunga (Cunga), Tuesday, 27 September 2005 20:38 (twenty years ago)

we are weezer / we used to be kinda cool and eccentric / but now everything even remotely endearing about us / has turned to corporate bullshit

― richard wood johnson, Tuesday, 27 September 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

'beverly hills' is my favourite weezer record.

― N_RQ, Wednesday, 28 September 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

but people think they're being all ironic, which they aren't.

― N_RQ, Wednesday, 28 September 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

but people think they're being all ironic, which they aren't.

which is odd, because a lot of people here are complaining about their lack of sincerity now!

― richard wood johnson, Wednesday, 28 September 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

eleven months pass...

this album pretty much killed me
hold me was like the only good track

― ashley shey (stillearning), Tuesday, 5 September 2006 21:22 (nineteen years ago)

if only they'd simply break up and quit giving us all these crap not-even-good-cars-rip-offs!

all the fun has been misplaced

― edde (edde), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 15:51 (nineteen years ago)

dood the next album will be dark and difficult. doesnt anyone get it yet?

― chaki (chaki), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 15:54 (nineteen years ago)

oooo!
see, now that sounds enticing!!!
like a glow in the dark cupcake.

― edde (edde), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 16:47 (nineteen years ago)

Got to admit I only really ever listen to "Pinkerton" and the two self titleds nowadays. Still quite like "Beverley Hills" though.

― Nick H (Nick H), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 17:59 (nineteen years ago)

it's got a fine simple riff, but it always makes think of 'I Love Rock n Roll'...and i find that song better.

― edde (edde), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 19:52 (nineteen years ago)

weezer was killed in a bus accident in 1998 and replaced with a group of malfunctioning androids.

― Steve Go1dberg (Steve Schneeberg), Wednesday, 6 September 2006 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

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