Weezer -- Classic or Dud?

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So I've just seen the new video. Listen if you guys like Weezer there's a WHOLE BUNCH of bands that play at Arlene's Grocery on Stanton Street that you'll probably really really love. They're nerds, they rock, they sing about their socks... honestly. There is no shortage. It's an artificial monopoly.

― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

just picked up pinkerton, partly because of its high placing on the ilm poll. i can't say i like it very much though. it seems curious that so many people seem to love it when it seems very ordinary. there's nothing bad on that album, but nothing very good either. perhaps i was wanting a rerun of 'only in dreams', which, it seems, is the only truly great weezer song.

― gareth, Wednesday, 13 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I've never really investigated Weezer beyond what got played on the radio, but I'm slowly becoming obsessed with "Hash Pipe". (The secret to getting Dan to like your video: put sumo wrestlers in it. I hope Christina is taking notes...)

― Dan Perry, Wednesday, 13 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Gareth - it helps if you listen to it really really loud.

― Josh, Wednesday, 13 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

two weeks pass...

You guys are pathetic fans.

― Rivers, Saturday, 30 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

For your information The Rentals SUCK. No balls I hate em. Period. Stupid ass should have stayed in the band. Idiot.

― ChoopyTrags, Tuesday, 3 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Somehow I should have guessed this thread would thrive. And even if Ethan's not around any more, thanks.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 8 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Rivers... if that is your REAL name... None of these people are fans. Don't sweat it, champ.

Gareth: It also helps if you know all the words and can't sing.

― JM, Sunday, 8 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

i have just acquired a $6 cassette copy of weezer's first album and am willing to concede classic status.

― sundar subramanian, Wednesday, 11 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Weezer is the bomb.

― Ally, Wednesday, 11 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Yeah, a STEEENK bomb!

― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 12 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

THE RENTALS SUCK! FUCK MOOGS!

― ChoopyTrags, Friday, 13 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I saw Weezer on the Telly last night - don't know the name of the song or indeed the program, but I guess it may have been a current single as it was a video. Anyhoo, based on this limited exposure they seemed like a very poor 1993 pop-grunge outfit, slightly preppy. Is this representative of their other material, or just a tossed out single? I wouldn't normally give a shit, but I'm intrigued by Sundar's positive comments. He's normally reliable!

― Dr. C, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

it struck me as "what if the pixies got bossanova right?" (i. e. what if the pixies were actually the brilliant pop band people claim them to be and not the arty noise-rockers they actually were). they sing boldly, harmonize sweetly, have a strong sense of melody and rhythm, and have a lot of energy. all of which breathes life to the simply stated stories of adolescent losers. the swinging, surging "holiday" is especially beautiful. "only in dreams" actually struck me as the least remarkable song on the album. there's better stuff in that vein on smashing pumpkins' pisces iscariot.

all that said, it is a mid-90s alt-pop album, not something hugely groundbreaking and innovative -- ll cool j good not public enemy good. if you don't like "buddy holly" you probably shouldn't bother with the rest of the album.

now if only i can get josh to concede cinderella;)

― sundar subramanian, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

also, the just-enough sinewing guitar melodies suggest to me that they've listened to and picked up on the best aspects of cheap trick/boston aor, which in turn suggests an admirable willingness to go beyond obvious indie touchstones.

― sundar subramanian, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Well... "I've got/Ace Freely/and I've got Peter Criss"...

― Josh, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Weezer is a good band. That's all it comes down too, they aren't too artsy, they aren't too pop-ish, they're just good. Listen to the music and enjoy it. I hate it when people start to over analyze musicians in any way they can. Yes, some song have meaning, and some songs don't...some relate to life experiences, and some don't. I can't imagine being a rabid fan and chasing after some rock stars hair brush just because it's his. I think successful musicians like being treated like people...most of them at least. They have problems like the rest of us, some just happen to be talented. As far as the emo thingy? Who cares what it's called and who started what...I worked at a college radio station for two years, and I got sick and tired of every band identifying themself as some weird cross between "The Catherine Wheel" and modern emo/pop/punk/alternative rock. There are so many sub genres its sick. And they only exist so labels can market to a specific crowd. I like music...Weezer, Radiohead, Rachmaninov, Portishead, Robert Johnson, Daft Punk...who cares what they identify with, or which specific bands they were influenced by. Now-a-day in the rock scene you have to like the smallest indy club band that put out one 3 ep song and disappeared to have the respect of your "cool" peers. Grow up! Weezer is Weezer...a good band...with good songs...nothing less.

― Jeremy, Thursday, 19 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

two weeks pass...

Weezer is a fantastic band. Pinkerton is still my favorite album. The Green Album is pretty sweet, too, but, Pinkerton kinda spoiled me. ;)

And don't be so harsh on the Rentals- Matt's not Rivers, but, nobody but Rivers is Rivers. ;Þ (Say that 5 times fast!!)

Maybe one day Rivers will become happy. That would be wonderful for him, but, then who would the rest of us sad geeks have to identify with?

― Laura, Sunday, 5 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Sundar, why would you boast aboot paying $6 for the first S/T cassette, when you could've bought it new on CD for 99 cents more at Record Runner or Future Shop?

― Vic Funk, Sunday, 5 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

They only played one measley song from Pinketron at their show!

― jel, Sunday, 5 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

three years pass...

Weezer records, like a fine cheese, get better with age. i've been listening to disc 2 of the blue album reissue with the acoustic versions and OH YEAH IT FUCKIN RULES>> the dvd is really good too and their last album WASNT REALLY BAD AT ALL!!!
http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/news/images/w/Weezer/sq-rivers-kermit-keep-fishin-int.jpg

― chaki in charge (chaki), Monday, 3 January 2005 02:16 (nineteen years ago) link

I think their last two albums are nowhere as good as the first two and yet both wound up in my top 50 of the decade so far.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 3 January 2005 08:01 (nineteen years ago) link

that said the dvd footage of them practicing "prodigy lover" has a real "c. everett koop, koop koop e doop" quality to it.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 3 January 2005 08:02 (nineteen years ago) link

I remember hearing "Undone - Sweater Song" on the radio when it was released and thinking, "hey, somebody else actually listened to the Pixies, yay". Then I really enjoyed "Buddy Holly" - classic single and video. "Say It Ain't So" was great too. I never really kept up after that - I sensed some weird drama from reading the intros to interviews and decided that I didn't care about them as people whereas most magazine stories seemed overly obsessed with their biographies. "Friends of P." is also classic and a template for some of New Pornographers great singles.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Monday, 3 January 2005 08:12 (nineteen years ago) link

I have the second Rentals albnum, and really like about 2/3 of it; never heard the first, or any Weezer outside of the singles, which left me cold.

This thread had the potential to be the original DMB thread, but it (luckily?) didn't pan out. to be dormant for 3 1/2 years is impressive.

― derrick (derrick), Monday, 3 January 2005 08:34 (nineteen years ago) link

that said the dvd footage of them practicing "prodigy lover" has a real "c. everett koop, koop koop e doop" quality to it.
-- miccio (anthonyisrigh...), January 3rd, 2005.

I bet they're gonna name the next album "Bigger Than Jesus" then!

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 3 January 2005 14:23 (nineteen years ago) link

Some fine, isolated tracks but CRAZILY OVERRATED otherwise.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 3 January 2005 14:25 (nineteen years ago) link

Weezer records, like a fine cheese, get better with age. i've been listening to disc 2 of the blue album reissue with the acoustic versions and OH YEAH IT FUCKIN RULES>>

i though the early demos on that second disc (kitchen tapes???) were really great. they actually kinda sounded lo-fi like the drag city pavement, while also making me wonder if they really did like the feelies (my favorite was 'paperface' or 'somethingface' which has screeeming - see they ARE emo)

― artdamages (artdamages), Monday, 3 January 2005 16:28 (nineteen years ago) link

i mean i guess rivers thought he should scream cos so did black francis (and kurdt) but coming from him it sounds really funny!

reminds me i need to check out his myspace page again.

― artdamages (artdamages), Monday, 3 January 2005 16:38 (nineteen years ago) link

Grew up with the Blue Album, so I'm biased. And I spent many nights listening to the majestic "Only in Dreams" in complete rapture. The second album was even better. After "Pinkerton" they sucked to a level that was unimaginable at the time.

― Adam Bruneau (oliver8bit), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:29 (nineteen years ago) link

thats a misconception you are perpetuating

― chaki in charge (chaki), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:30 (nineteen years ago) link

awful. Occasionally catchy but mostly gives me the hives.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 3 January 2005 18:34 (nineteen years ago) link

so very wrong

― chaki in charge (chaki), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:34 (nineteen years ago) link

sorry, I've never been able to get over my mid-90s indier-than-thou hatred of them as a vastly inferior Pavement cash-in ("Buddy Holly" vs. intro of "Silence Kit" = Pavement wins)

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 3 January 2005 18:38 (nineteen years ago) link

Weezer are way more "musical" than Pavement. Pavement were way cooler dudes that got laid. Weezer were band nerds that practiced their guitars and vocal harmonies constantly. Pavement didnt care about that stuff.

― chaki in charge (chaki), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:40 (nineteen years ago) link

― Ganbare Goemon (ex machina), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:41 (nineteen years ago) link

― Ganbare Goemon (ex machina), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:43 (nineteen years ago) link

b-b-but Rivers Cuomo is so into getting laid (specifically by little Japanese girls) its fucking creepy! seriously.

also Malkmus is FAR and away the better, more inventive guitarist. really knows his weirdo english folk records, bizarre tunings, phrasing, etc.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 3 January 2005 18:44 (nineteen years ago) link

Pavement were way cooler dudes that got laid.

I never got that impression from a Pavement album.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:46 (nineteen years ago) link

http://www.benchmarkalpacas.com/SweetEmoFull1203.jpg

― Ganbare Goemon (ex machina), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:47 (nineteen years ago) link

lol @ alpacas

b-b-but Rivers Cuomo is so into getting laid (specifically by little Japanese girls) its fucking creepy! seriously.

yeah thats pent up frustration from years of NOT BEING FAMOUS

also Malkmus is FAR and away the better, more inventive guitarist. really knows his weirdo english folk records, bizarre tunings, phrasing, etc

WEEZER ALSO USE WEIRD TUNING AND RIVERS IS BETTER AT METAL AND 70S ROCK SOLOS THAN MALK.

― chaki in charge (chaki), Monday, 3 January 2005 18:48 (nineteen years ago) link

("Buddy Holly" vs. intro of "Silence Kit" = Pavement wins)

Dude I just bought the CR reissue and am listening to it - "Range Life" now playing - and loving it but CAUCASIAN PLEASE.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 3 January 2005 19:41 (nineteen years ago) link

I don't remember if I like the Blue album or CR, CR more

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 3 January 2005 19:42 (nineteen years ago) link

dood do you even hear the connection I'm talking about re: "Silence Kit" and "Buddy Holly"?

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 3 January 2005 19:44 (nineteen years ago) link

Yeah, but I don't give a shit. Buddy Holly is better.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 3 January 2005 19:45 (nineteen years ago) link

two months pass...

bumping pinkerton for the first time in years.

makes me want to wear my old weezer t-shirts and make that "W" sign with my hands that everybody makes at their shows.

i really like a lot of the kind of hard to find pinkerton demos and stuff between pinkerton and the green album. 'Keep Your Distance', 'Longtime Sunshine', 'Walt Disney' in particular.

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 6 March 2005 23:20 (nineteen years ago) link

dud

― The Grand Piano, Sunday, 6 March 2005 23:22 (nineteen years ago) link

Somewhat unconvinced by Maladroit, (I notice most of this thread was written prior to its release) but otherwise classic all the way, esp.Pinkerton.

― Si Carter (Si Carter), Sunday, 6 March 2005 23:52 (nineteen years ago) link

Classic. I think RC writes well, his lyrics are always a little less throwaway than you first think. I really dug Maladroit, and not just because the 'Keep Fishin' video had Muppets in it. But it helped.

― VegemiteGrrl (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 7 March 2005 00:01 (nineteen years ago) link

I've always considered Rivers a reconstituted or repressed metal guy. Ok, maybe he's smarter than Mickey Mars, but the power chords, the pushy way in which he rams his adolescent miseries rams them down your craw with said power chords, reminds me of, I don't know, Slaughter or something.

I was a couple of years' too late for the Blue Album to have any fascination for me; "Pinkerton" has its moments; I really dug "Hash Pipe."

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Monday, 7 March 2005 00:10 (nineteen years ago) link

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