Disco de Weezer: “Weezer (Blue)”

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

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

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

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

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

It's kind of hard to expound on Weezer's classic debut. In the aftermath of grunge and the death of Kurt Cobain, along came four noisy geeks who made the world safe for noisy hook laden songs about loudmouthed girlfriends ("No One Else"), the joys of high-school love ("Buddy Holly") and a great metaphor about an unraveling relationship ("Undone - The Sweater Song"). Along with seven other great songs, this was a first album that yielded some perennial material, and founded the cult that Rivers Coumo rides today.

So why should you pony up the extra dough for the "expanded" edition? Is the second disc really worth it? For a change, the answer is yes. You get four great live tracks, complete with some funny self depreciating comments, one song from a various artists rarities album that the band wrote about their lawyer ("Jamie"), and a handful of demos. The best of the bunch is an a cappella quickie titled "My Evaline" that highlights Weezer's uncanny harmony abilities, something occasionally lost in the din.

If you're reading this, you're probably already inclined towards buying this. Go ahead. Maybe we'll get lucky and "Pinkerton" will get the same royal treatment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.My Name is Jonas 4/5 - awesome rockin' intro that will soon grow on you and be in ur head all the time

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