New Weezer!

[bartleby]

From the upcoming self-titled Red Album, the first track, "Pork and Beans," started getting radio play today.

[Jim.]

From the upcoming self-titled Red Album, the first track, "Pork and Beans," started getting radio play today.
Does it sound like anything off Pinkerton?

[Jonny Z]

what is this "radio" you speak of

[THWIP!]

I thought you had a link. :sad:

[bartleby]

I thought you had a link. :sad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEC-ZXVeu4o

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

Everytime Weezer makes an album named after a colour, it rules.

[dako]

Just heard it. Kinda lo-fi sounding? Suspect it will grow on me with repeated listens as Weezer does...

[THWIP!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEC-ZXVeu4o

:)

[Skatonic10]

From the upcoming self-titled Red Album, the first track, "Pork and Beans," started getting radio play today.

And I changed the station after about 30 seconds. I was not a fan.

[JHester]

I dig it. Can't wait for the new album.

[nick maynard]

wow, i love how it goes into the "classic" weezer sound, like its just something he can turn on an off at will, and then says "im gonna do the things i want to do, i aint got nothing to prove to you". that's very cool to me.

[Guirk the Thudner]

Everytime Weezer makes an album named after a colour, it rules.

They're like the GL/ Sinestro/ Red Lanterns. Or whatever.

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

wow, i love how it goes into the "classic" weezer sound, like its just something he can turn on an off at will, and then says "im gonna do the things i want to do, i aint got nothing to prove to you". that's very cool to me.

Rivers, especially, has been like that for a while. He's gone on record as saying one of the main reasons they filmed the video for "Beverly Hills" at the Playboy Mansion was because he knew it'd piss off a large section of his band's fanbase. And he was right.

[modungo]

Everytime Weezer makes an album named after a colour, it rules.

The flaw in that logic is Pinkerton. Which kicks the Green album in the nutz. Then knocks it on the ground. Then step on it's hair when it tries to get up.

If the rest of this album sounds like this, it may wash away the stink of Make Believe.

[THWIP!]

Is it good? I'm at work and I can't listen to it.

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

The flaw in that logic is Pinkerton. Which kicks the Green album in the nutz. Then knocks it on the ground. Then step on it's hair when it tries to get up.

If the rest of this album sounds like this, it may wash away the stink of Make Believe.

"Pinkerton" is indeed the exception. But I still think "Blue" and "Green" are great.

[DaGetHighKnight]

Its funny, Hes singing about that he "has nothing to prove" but he obviously HAS something to prove or why would he write the song...I liked the Beverly Hills single better.

[nihilance]

The flaw in that logic is Pinkerton. Which kicks the Green album in the nutz. Then knocks it on the ground. Then step on it's hair when it tries to get up.

If the rest of this album sounds like this, it may wash away the stink of Make Believe.

Ah...but Pinkerton is the secret color name album. PINK-erton.

[CapnChaos]

I liked it. I don't know what era I'd say it sounds most like... Somewhere between Green and Maladroit, I guess.

[Jef UK]

People actually like Green? It has a couple of decent songs, but it reeked of Cuomo desperately trying to capture the magic of their debut.

I didn't need anything beyond Pinkerton, myself, although Hashpipe is a fun song.

[Ben Rosen]

god, that timbaland verse is horrible. the joey santiago guitar in the background in the chorus is sounding nice though.

[Patton]

I'm gonna qualify my opinion in the following ways:

We're never gonna get Blue or Pink quality ever again.
Weezer are good for background, sing along, pop rock with flavor but not a ton of substance.

As such, here's my opinion of the song, which you've all been waiting for:

Not bad.

[Albert]

People actually like Green? It has a couple of decent songs, but it reeked of Cuomo desperately trying to capture the magic of their debut.

I didn't need anything beyond Pinkerton, myself, although Hashpipe is a fun song.

I like "Photograph" a lot. And...that's about it.

[The Cheap-Arse Film Critic]

god, that timbaland verse is horrible. the joey santiago guitar in the background in the chorus is sounding nice though.

That's my favourite lyric.

[Fake Pat]

No thanks.

[Papa Ginge]

Does it sound like anything off Pinkerton?

God I hope so, love that f'n album. Tough to beat some of those songs from the first album (Jonas, Garage, Only in Dreams, etc), but Pinkerton is just so listenable from start to finish.

[Josh!]

I popped in the first album yesterday, stuck in traffic. Hadn't listened to it in years. It was, unsurprisingly, great.

This sounds okay. It's not grabbing me, but I certainly enjoy the crunchy guitar at the chorus.

[Jason California]

I like it, but like others have said Pinkerton was the best they have ever done and I doubt they will come close to that again... that was before whats his name left to form that other band right?

[Jew Mafia]

god, that timbaland verse is horrible. the joey santiago guitar in the background in the chorus is sounding nice though.

I thought it was pretty funny.

[bartleby]

I like it, but like others have said Pinkerton was the best they have ever done and I doubt they will come close to that again... that was before whats his name left to form that other band right?

No band should have to carry the burden of creating an album that's as good as Pinkerton.

[Mike_Johnson]

This thread just makes me want to go and listen to Pinkerton again. I think I will.

[Jason California]

No band should have to carry the burden of creating an album that's as good as Pinkerton.


Quite fucking true....must be what it will be like for Jesus the next time he comes back.

[Fygar]

The song has okay parts, but the Timbaland reference was definitely out of place. It's better than most modern Weezer singles, but still not great.

[Guirk the Thudner]

Quite fucking true....must be what it will be like for Jesus the next time he comes back.

Winner!

[THWIP!]

:-?

[Masculine Todd]

I'm so fucking excited. Even if The Green Album, Maladroit and (especially) Make Believe were far cries from Pinkerton, they're still solid Pop Rock albums. That said, I really, really want Rivers to indulge his brilliance a little more and take a chance as he did with Pinkerton; critics be damned!

[Masculine Todd]

Rivers, especially, has been like that for a while. He's gone on record as saying one of the main reasons they filmed the video for "Beverly Hills" at the Playboy Mansion was because he knew it'd piss off a large section of his band's fanbase. And he was right.

And yet, for not caring about anything, one of the primary reasons for their years long hiatus between Pinkerton and The Green Album, as well as the much more accessible pop rock sound of their last three LPs was Rivers intense self-consciousness after the fanbase and reviewers were initially resistant to the depraved and exceedingly candid nature of Pinkerton.

He's a conundrum.

[Masculine Todd]

The song has okay parts, but the Timbaland reference was definitely out of place.

I thought it was kinda cool. A satirical jab at Timberland being not unlike an STD among Pop and commercial Hip Hop.


It's better than most modern Weezer singles, but still not great.

It's the best since Hash Pipe.

[Masculine Todd]

I like it, but like others have said Pinkerton was the best they have ever done and I doubt they will come close to that again... that was before whats his name left to form that other band right?

Matt Sharp, the original bassist, left the band in '97 or '98. The Rentals (the band he formed) had a minor hit in the mid-'90s.

[silverboy]

It's okay. Definitely a lot better than Beverly Hills.

I like the anti-major label commercialism sentiments of the lyrics. Kind of wish the music would follow suit a bit more.

[Patton]

First off...neither the Green album nor Maladroit are better than Make Believe. But if you think the former is, then that's understandable in some ways. But seriously, people think Maladroit was better than Make Believe? Was it because the band kept saying MB was back to Pinkerton territory and everyone was annoyed when it wasn't?

Also...how is the Timbaland thing weirder than "eat some candy with my pork and beans"

Is that a normal thing and I don't know it?

[Nick Spencer]

First off...neither the Green album nor Maladroit are better than Make Believe. But if you think the former is, then that's understandable in some ways. But seriously, people think Maladroit was better than Make Believe? Was it because the band kept saying MB was back to Pinkerton territory and everyone was annoyed when it wasn't?

Also...how is the Timbaland thing weirder than "eat some candy with my pork and beans"

Is that a normal thing and I don't know it?

I liked Make Believe more than most, but it's nowhere near as good as Maladroit or the Green Album for me.

[Rosemary's Baby]

I may have said this before on here, but Make Believe is the only record I've ever sold back the day I bought it.

[Patton]

I now believe Maladroit to be the Juno of music.

[nick maynard]

I now believe Maladroit to be the Juno of music.

but what is the watchmen of music?

[Patton]

but what is the watchmen of music?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWwyjmSbJPs

[ASHLEY!]

I can't be excited. Their last two albums sucked.
I thought they broke up anyway?

[ASHLEY!]

Ok....I just listened to the new song. I could not finish it.
So sad. There was a time when I was completely obsessed with Rivers Cuomo.

[smm EBob]

im not reading this whole thread but c'mon...the red album? can we say beating a dead horse?

[Supreme Convoy]

Awesome song. I've been dying to hear new Weezer!

=w= \m/

[Brewtown Andy]

:ecstatic:

[Masculine Todd]

First off...neither the Green album nor Maladroit are better than Make Believe. But if you think the former is, then that's understandable in some ways. But seriously, people think Maladroit was better than Make Believe? Was it because the band kept saying MB was back to Pinkerton territory and everyone was annoyed when it wasn't?

Also...how is the Timbaland thing weirder than "eat some candy with my pork and beans"

Is that a normal thing and I don't know it?

The Green Album is superior to Make Believe.

[nihilance]

The Green Album is superior to Make Believe.

It's good...maybe even better...but superior seems to carry connotations it doesn't deserve. Half of Make Believe is brilliant, but the albatross of the other half weighs it down. Green has a couple great songs but most are just better than average. Overall Green is better but half of Make Believe is way better than pretty much all of Green.

[silverboy]

Order of Weezer albums:

1. Pinkerton
2. Blue Album
3. Make Believe
4. Green Album (though a very close 4)
5. Maladroit

[Masculine Todd]

It's good...maybe even better...but superior seems to carry connotations it doesn't deserve. Half of Make Believe is brilliant, but the albatross of the other half weighs it down. Green has a couple great songs but most are just better than average. Overall Green is better but half of Make Believe is way better than pretty much all of Green.

I'm of the mind that there isn't any part of Make Believe that would constitute as "brilliant." It's a slightly intelligent distortion of mainstream Pop. This is, ultimately, a subjective argument, but I find The Green Album better.

[nihilance]

I'm of the mind that there isn't any part of Make Believe that would constitute as "brilliant." It's a slightly intelligent distortion of mainstream Pop. This is, ultimately, a subjective argument, but I find The Green Album better.

Sorry...I did the same thing that I hate seeing done all the time (assigning terms like "brilliant" and "genius" when they don't actually apply).

[HoldFastNow]

I really like the chorus, but I hate the lyrics. I think Green through Make Believe had each had maybe 3 good songs a piece. Weezer is the only band that can burn me three times in a row and I'll still try out anything they do because of how good their first two where.

[modungo]

I rank the last 3 this way:

Maladroit
Green
Make Believe

My logic goes like this. I only have to delete 4 songs to make Malaldroit a good album. I have to delete 6 toke Green a good record. I have to delete every song to make Make Believe a good record.

[Patton]

Holy shit. I'm blown away here. Green Album was made up of fluffy pop songs that were mathematically created to be like every other pop song and had no meaningful lyrics. Maladroit was made up of mostly pseudo-heavy rock that comes off as poseury. MB at least had lyrics that meant something. I think even the band would agree MB is better than those two. Not that that matters really. I guess lyrics don't matter to most Weezer fans or something. I dunno.

It's all very interesting to me.

[Rosemary's Baby]

Holy shit. I'm blown away here. Green Album was made up of fluffy pop songs that were mathematically created to be like every other pop song and had no meaningful lyrics. Maladroit was made up of mostly pseudo-heavy rock that comes off as poseury. MB at least had lyrics that meant something. I think even the band would agree MB is better than those two. Not that that matters really. I guess lyrics don't matter to most Weezer fans or something. I dunno.

It's all very interesting to me.

One of the things that really bugged me with Make Believe were the childish rhyming schemes. After Pinkerton, Rivers forgot how to write lyrics.

[Rosdower 3.0]

From the upcoming self-titled Red Album, the first track, "Pork and Beans," started getting radio play today.

the music is great. The lyrics are uneven. The will never make a Pinkerton again, that was their pinnale...their high-water mark.

But, as long as they don't make another "Beverly Hills", I'll be happy!

[Ben Rosen]

Holy shit. I'm blown away here. Green Album was made up of fluffy pop songs that were mathematically created to be like every other pop song and had no meaningful lyrics. Maladroit was made up of mostly pseudo-heavy rock that comes off as poseury. MB at least had lyrics that meant something. I think even the band would agree MB is better than those two. Not that that matters really. I guess lyrics don't matter to most Weezer fans or something. I dunno.

It's all very interesting to me.

i think make believe was definitely better than maladroit and on par with green, but i think the lyrics are a big deal! the first two albums had personality. recently there are just so many cliches and easy, childish rhymes.

[Patton]

i think make believe was definitely better than maladroit and on par with green, but i think the lyrics are a big deal! the first two albums had personality. recently there are just so many cliches and easy, childish rhymes.

I completely agree with that. I just think that you could tell that MB had at least some level of personality and autobiography. Whereas Green and Maladroit were clearly just basic nursery rhyme pop songs. Nothing wrong with either I don't guess. They just aren't anywhere near the original Weezer quality. The jury's still out on the Red Album, but I can't imagine it being great based on this.

I did like that Pig song Rivers put out a while back though.

[Ben Rosen]

I completely agree with that. I just think that you could tell that MB had at least some level of personality and autobiography. Whereas Green and Maladroit were clearly just basic nursery rhyme pop songs. Nothing wrong with either I don't guess. They just aren't anywhere near the original Weezer quality. The jury's still out on the Red Album, but I can't imagine it being great based on this.

I did like that Pig song Rivers put out a while back though.

Yeah, I agree, MB was a step in the right direction. But it's hard to remember the good ones because the "i'm a hero, but i'm a zero" lines are the ones that stick out so much.

[nick maynard]

i think make believe was definitely better than maladroit and on par with green, but i think the lyrics are a big deal! the first two albums had personality. recently there are just so many cliches and easy, childish rhymes.

yeah, it definitely doesn't match the poetic heights achieved with "oh no, it go, it gone, bye bye, who i, i think, i sink, and i die".

[silverboy]

The Red Album is also going to be the first album with significant writing and lead vocals from all band members, so I don't think any of us can really know what to expect.

[Patton]

Well you can if you've heard Bryan Bell and Patrick Wilson's songs. I don't like their stuff at all.

[silverboy]

I'm watching all of Weezer's old videos on Youtube, and there's a prevailing sense of silliness throughout all of them.

I would piss myself if the Pork and Beans video featured them on Rock Band instruments.

[Josh!]

You know, this song is growing on me. I didn't love Green, Maladroit or Make Believe, but there were a few songs on each that I really loved. Maladroit was probably my least favorite album, but Dope Nose and Keep Fishing are my two favorite post-Pinkerton songs. Go figure.

[Jonny Z]

i've started my own weezer blog.

http://cuomostache.tumblr.com/

[JHester]

i've started my own weezer blog.

http://cuomostache.tumblr.com/

I've you RSS to my mail feed. I look forward to seeing the progression of the cuomostache.

[Jonny Z]

I've you RSS to my mail feed. I look forward to seeing the progression of the cuomostache.

I've decided to expand it to also include live blogging from all over NYC. I will be updating and liveblogging constantly from the NY Comic Con, thanks to the ease of use between the tumblr account and my iPhone!!!!

i'm going to make a separate thread about tumblr cuz it's fucking awesome!

[JHester]

I've decided to expand it to also include live blogging from all over NYC. I will be updating and liveblogging constantly from the NY Comic Con, thanks to the ease of use between the tumblr account and my iPhone!!!!

i'm going to make a separate thread about tumblr cuz it's fucking awesome!

That is Bad Ass! I so wish I could be at NYCC. This way I am living vicariously through you.

[Masculine Todd]

I guess lyrics don't matter to most Weezer fans or something. I dunno.

It's all very interesting to me.

That's an exceedingly condescending thing to say.

I enjoy The Green Album more than Make Believe. That's partly to do with the depraved distortion of pop-esque lyrics. It's a very interesting experiment.

[Rosemary's Baby]

That's an exceedingly condescending thing to say.

I enjoy The Green Album more than Make Believe. That's partly to do with the depraved distortion of pop-esque lyrics. It's a very interesting experiment.

The way he phrased it made it sound so, but if you're looking for deep or even sincere lyrics in music, you should steer clear of the last three Weezer records.

It's like first grade poetry.

[Masculine Todd]

The way he phrased it made it sound so, but if you're looking for deep or even sincere lyrics in music, you should steer clear of the last three Weezer records.

It's like first grade poetry.

That's true to an extent: following the tepid response from fans and critics in relation to Pinkerton, Rivers, being an incredibly self-conscious, neurotic man, took it very personal that his lyrics, laden with candidness and real emotional angst and introspection, were viewed so poorly and decided to go a different route.

Yes, The Green Album (as well as Maladroit and Make Believe) aren't necessarily clever, personal or meaningful, but they're far from "first grade poetry." I very much doubt you'd find a song that glorifies the prostitution and sexual deviancy of Los Angeles in a way that parallels it to the desirable decadence of the social fabric of celebutaunt that's portrayed in many pop songs that saturate the radio.

Sure, it's not Pinkerton, but there's some interesting lyrics to be found in The Green Album (and, to a lesser extent, the other two).

[modungo]

Holy shit. I'm blown away here. Green Album was made up of fluffy pop songs that were mathematically created to be like every other pop song and had no meaningful lyrics. Maladroit was made up of mostly pseudo-heavy rock that comes off as poseury. MB at least had lyrics that meant something. I think even the band would agree MB is better than those two. Not that that matters really. I guess lyrics don't matter to most Weezer fans or something. I dunno.

It's all very interesting to me.

Well, I have never, not for one second, considered Weezer anything but a fun guitar pop band. Even songs like "Tired fo Sex" or "Across the Sea", which are supposedly deep confessions about sexual insecurity, I mostly thought were funny. They are like Van Halen in horn rimmed glasses. I'm sure Diamond Dave wanted people take a song like "Take Your Whiskey Home" seriously, but it was ok cause even though no one took it seriously, everyone agreed, it still kicked ass.
The problem for me with Make Believe is, from a guitar pop standpoint, it fails. Miserably. It kicks no ass. It didn't make me wanna shake my butt, or bob my head, or hang out with girls or anything music like that is supposed to. It definitely did not make me wanna listen to it again. It mostly just made me wanna listen to the Blue Album.
In other words, to beat this =VH= metaphor to death, it was like a whole album full of "Dreams" or "Right Now", only they didn't have the Red Rocker to blame it on.

[Patton]

That's an exceedingly condescending thing to say.

I enjoy The Green Album more than Make Believe. That's partly to do with the depraved distortion of pop-esque lyrics. It's a very interesting experiment.

How?

The lyrics to Green and Maladroit mean nothing. MB has slightly more meaningful lyrics. Therefore, if you think Green and/or Maladroit are better than MB, lyrics must not matter that much.

Those are facts by the way. Rivers has said that Green and Maladroit have pretty much meaningless lyrics. MB was an attempt at opening back up.

I can't believe I just got called black by the pot.

[Patton]

Well, I have never, not for one second, considered Weezer anything but a fun guitar pop band. Even songs like "Tired fo Sex" or "Across the Sea", which are supposedly deep confessions about sexual insecurity, I mostly thought were funny. They are like Van Halen in horn rimmed glasses. I'm sure Diamond Dave wanted people take a song like "Take Your Whiskey Home" seriously, but it was ok cause even though no one took it seriously, everyone agreed, it still kicked ass.
The problem for me with Make Believe is, from a guitar pop standpoint, it fails. Miserably. It kicks no ass. It didn't make me wanna shake my butt, or bob my head, or hang out with girls or anything music like that is supposed to. It definitely did not make me wanna listen to it again. It mostly just made me wanna listen to the Blue Album.
In other words, to beat this =VH= metaphor to death, it was like a whole album full of "Dreams" or "Right Now", only they did have the Red Rocker to blame it on.

That makes a hell of a lot of sense. And I agree to an extent. MB was actually a bit too dead serious musically and so it lost some fun of the first two and even Green.

I love having discussions where I can come out of the other end with an understanding of something I previously didn't understand. Thanks.

[modungo]

That makes a hell of a lot of sense. And I agree to an extent. MB was actually a bit too dead serious musically and so it lost some fun of the first two and even Green.

I love having discussions where I can come out of the other end with an understanding of something I previously didn't understand. Thanks.

I totally agree about these kind of discussions. Having semi-serious arguments about things of absolutely no consequence is one of my few joys in life.

[Patton]

I totally agree about these kind of discussions. Having semi-serious arguments about things of absolutely no consequence is one of my few joys in life.

Oh and I don't know if you've ever seen Weezer live but your Van Halen reference is spot on. They even have a giant =W= just like the =VH=.

[Fygar]

How?

The lyrics to Green and Maladroit mean nothing. MB has slightly more meaningful lyrics. Therefore, if you think Green and/or Maladroit are better than MB, lyrics must not matter that much.

Those are facts by the way. Rivers has said that Green and Maladroit have pretty much meaningless lyrics. MB was an attempt at opening back up.

I can't believe I just got called black by the pot.

They may not mean much to Rivers, but I didn't connect with the song "My Best Friend" on Make Believe whatsoever. Maybe if I still drank juice boxes and had a homeroom I would. I mean look at these lyrics, they're embarrassing for an adult to listen to.

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

[Rosemary's Baby]

They may not mean much to Rivers, but I didn't connect with the song "My Best Friend" on Make Believe whatsoever. Maybe if I still drank juice boxes and had a homeroom I would. I mean look at these lyrics, they're embarrassing for an adult to listen to.

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

Imagine being an adult and penning them down.

"Let's see, what rhymes with "you," hmmm..."BLUE!"

[silverboy]

It should be noted the "My Best Friend" was originally written for Shrek 2, but "Accidentally In Love" (another mediocre song by a great band) was used instead.

[DAVE]

People actually like Green? It has a couple of decent songs, but it reeked of Cuomo desperately trying to capture the magic of their debut.

I didn't need anything beyond Pinkerton, myself, although Hashpipe is a fun song.

I thought 'Green' was a good fun summer pop album.

[HoldFastNow]

Imagine being an adult and penning them down.

"Let's see, what rhymes with "you," hmmm..."BLUE!"

The sad thing about how bad the lyrics are is that Rivers Cuomo actually has an English Degree from Harvard! He should know better..

[Albert]

The best part of Make Believe is how the MTV edit of "We Are All on Drugs" was "We Are All in Love."

[HoldFastNow]

My Weezer/Rivers ranking:

Pinkerton
Blue
Every B-side from the Pinkerton/Blue era (Jamie, Mykel and Carli, You Gave Your Love to Me Softly, Blast Off, Suzanne, etc.)
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Green
Maladroit
Make Believe

[augie680]

I actually really like Green, and think Make Believe is an underrated record. Maladroit is ear poison for me.


That being said, Pork and Beans is the best "first single" that they've put out since Pinkerton. WAAAAY better then Hash Pipe-Dope Nose-Beverly Hills (UGH!).

I cannot stop listening to Pork and Beans. It's effing great.

[Masculine Todd]

How?

The lyrics to Green and Maladroit mean nothing. MB has slightly more meaningful lyrics. Therefore, if you think Green and/or Maladroit are better than MB, lyrics must not matter that much.

That's pretty flawed logic. I like Green Albums lyrics, it's part of what draws me to LP; that alone negates the absurd claim that "lyrics don't matter to me." Seriously, that's just inane.


Those are facts by the way. Rivers has said that Green and Maladroit have pretty much meaningless lyrics. MB was an attempt at opening back up.

Interesting, because in an NPR interview Rivers conducted after Make Believe, he claimed that The Green Album was a direct take on Pop song writing, filtered through a much more depraved/darker perspective. He took conventions and added some subtle satire into it. I enjoyed "mainstream pop by way of Rivers."


I can't believe I just got called black by the pot.

Your belief is mistaken. It happens.

[Fygar]

My Weezer/Rivers ranking:

Pinkerton
Blue
Every B-side from the Pinkerton/Blue era (Jamie, Mykel and Carli, You Gave Your Love to Me Softly, Blast Off, Suzanne, etc.)
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Green
Maladroit
Make Believe

That's very similar to how I feel. Just swap Green and Maladroit, and that'd be my ranking system.

[Patton]

Cover and tracklist.

My hopes kinda went way up.

http://www.spinner.com/2008/04/21/weezer-unveil-the-red-album-cover/

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.spinner.com/media/2008/04/weezer-300.jpg


Weezer, 'Weezer' Red Album

1. Troublemaker
2. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)
3. Pork and Beans
4. Heart Songs
5. Everybody Get Dangerous
6. Dreamin'
7. Thought I Knew
8. Cold Dark World
9. Automatic
10. The Angel and the One

Bonus tracks

The following appear on the Deluxe Edition of the album.

11. Miss Sweeney
12. Pig
13. The Spider
14. King

[Masculine Todd]

Cover and tracklist.

My hopes kinda went way up.

http://www.spinner.com/2008/04/21/weezer-unveil-the-red-album-cover/

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.spinner.com/media/2008/04/weezer-300.jpg

The radical changes in appearance for Brian Bell and Rivers Cuomo are jarring. Brian with a beard and long hair and Rivers in faux-cowboy attire is crazy.

[silverboy]

i LOVE that cover.

I even lower-cased that 'i' so my LOVE would be especially emphasized.

[Masculine Todd]

Is the cover doing what I think it's doing?

Are they all dressed in a manner that evokes the various musical scenes and their respective visual aesthetics?

[Petey Parker]

The best part of Make Believe is how the MTV edit of "We Are All on Drugs" was "We Are All in Love."

Don't forget when the Green Album came out and they played "H*** Pipe" or "Pipe" MTV's censors can be a little ridiculous sometimes.

[Patton]

:shock:

[Patton]

This bares fucking repeating.

:shock:

[nick maynard]

im two tracks into the album now, and its fucking really incredibly awesome. this is so so so so good. this is exactly what i want out of music.

[nick maynard]

"everybody get dangerous" sounds likes red hot chili peppers during the verses, very weird.

[Patton]

You have it already? Is it a review copy like mine?

Dude...Greatest Man? Holy hell right?

[nick maynard]

You have it already? Is it a review copy like mine?

Dude...Greatest Man? Holy hell right?

it is not a review copy!

and oh god, that song is so insane and outrageous and awesome. i really love it. the rest is about 50/50 good and bad. but that song is intense.

[Patton]

I like it all actually. MOST of it doesn't sound like Weezer though. Crazy stuff. I think people are gonna go in expecting old Weezer and get really upset. Or blown away like me. Best album since Pinkerton by far for me.

Although I reserve the right to change my mind.

[HoldFastNow]

I like it all actually. MOST of it doesn't sound like Weezer though. Crazy stuff. I think people are gonna go in expecting old Weezer and get really upset. Or blown away like me. Best album since Pinkerton by far for me.

Although I reserve the right to change my mind.

I agree. It's different but it's the best thing they've done since Pinkerton (though really, the bar isn't set too high to be the best post-Pinkerton release)

[Patton]

Highlights:

"Marrying a beeotch, having seven keyodds"

"Oh baby! I've been told that I'm going crazy!"

"It had a baby on it, he was naked on it"

"And what will we say when our kids come to us and ask with a smile on their face 'Hey Dad, my friend's got some new ninja swords! Is it cool if we slice up this place?' "

"There are bluebirds in the meadow..."

Not necessarily lyrics-wise, but moment-wise.

[Ben Rosen]

man, really not feeling the couple of songs stereogum posted.

[Patton]

man, really not feeling the couple of songs stereogum posted.

Which?

[Ben Rosen]

lets see...

"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)," "Troublemaker," "Heart Songs," and "Thought I Knew"

[Patton]

lets see...

"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)," "Troublemaker," "Heart Songs," and "Thought I Knew"

Sorry I didn't just check myself.

Damn. I like all those songs.

[iGotKittyPryde]

Wait, so where are you people getting this from? Is it just the hypemachine or Stereogum type places, or what?

[andrew french]

haha, Rivers looks awesome.

I'll check out this album. I was curious about Rivers' solo one, too.

[Patton]

Now that I've heard the whole thing I can definitely rank it as the best thing they've done since Pinkerton. It's quite flawed and about half the lyrics don't resonate with me that much but are still better than what we've had since Pinkerton.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the other members singing. Their songs are all good but I'm not sure if they're Weezer.

Anyway, most Weezer fans will not like this album. At least not at first.

Even though I hate Maladroit it kind of reminds me of it in the sense that it's a bit spastic and somewhat unfocused. Kinda like a mixtape.

Just from the clips, I wouldn't waste my money on the Deluxe. The bonus tracks don't sound that great. The free version of Pig is way better.

[xanderharris]

Now that I've heard the whole thing I can definitely rank it as the best thing they've done since Pinkerton. It's quite flawed and about half the lyrics don't resonate with me that much but are still better than what we've had since Pinkerton.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the other members singing. Their songs are all good but I'm not sure if they're Weezer.

Anyway, most Weezer fans will not like this album. At least not at first.

Even though I hate Maladroit it kind of reminds me of it in the sense that it's a bit spastic and somewhat unfocused. Kinda like a mixtape.

Just from the clips, I wouldn't waste my money on the Deluxe. The bonus tracks don't sound that great. The free version of Pig is way better.

I pretty much agree. This is definitely their best album since Pinkerton. It has that weird/cool sound to all its songs. Some of them are so-so and such but they are all growing on me the more I listen to them. I really was surprised as I expected another Maladroit/Green Album mediocre album.

[Strikeout]

"everybody get dangerous" sounds likes red hot chili peppers during the verses, very weird.

Yeah it does. Especially at the beginning.

The only song that truly resonates with me so far (I'm on Dangerous) has been Heart Songs.

I hope the rest is better.

[Patton]

Yeah it does. Especially at the beginning.

The only song that truly resonates with me so far (I'm on Dangerous) has been Heart Songs.

I hope the rest is better.

I think you'll like The Angel and the One and that's probably all.

Let me know if I'm right.

[XXXenophile]

I'm surprised no one's saying anything bout the Pork and Beans music video.

[BENDIS!]

Loved Every Second Of It.

Shit, They Covered The Weight!!

[Patton]

I'm surprised no one's saying anything bout the Pork and Beans music video.

There's a couple of threads on it I think.

[seanmichaelclark]

miss sweeney is amazing......

[Patton]

miss sweeney is amazing......

Holy shit, it is. Why couldn't this have been on the album? As weird as it sounds, it would have elevated it quite a bit for me to replace say "Cold Dark World" with this one. But I suppose it wouldn't have been fair, which Rivers seemed to want to go for this time.

Anyway, now that I've heard the deluxe tracks:

Pig - Get the free version. It has a lot more heart.

King - 3 Doors Down? So far, Scott should NEVER ever sing and/or write a Weezer song. The lyrics are ridiculous. But somehow I can't not listen to it. It's so fucking weird.

The Spider - Kinda boring but still a bit interesting lyrically. I dunno. It deserves another listen or two.

Miss Sweeney - Really good. Experimental and yet it kinda sounds like a Blue or Pink era b-side. In a good way.

[seanmichaelclark]

this album has a few missteps, but all in all has me interested in this band in a way i haven't been in a long time.

[Patton]

this album has a few missteps, but all in all has me interested in this band in a way i haven't been in a long time.

Me too. I was just talking to my wife about how close they were to making a great album with this one. Just a few mistakes here and there:

I wish the non-Rivers songs had been saved for the Deluxe.
I wish Miss Sweeney was on the album. Maybe Pig too.
I wish Rivers spent less time at the beginnings of songs being broad lyrically and spent more time being specific to his own life and/or to the story he's telling. He seems to get into specifics and less easy rhymes towards the ends of songs but not enough.

Perhaps I'm over thinking everything but Weezer used to be my favorite band a long time ago and I hope they keep going upward to make another amazing album.

As it stands though, this one is really good and I enjoy it quite a bit.

[Shepherd]

I really love Pork and Beans, but I think the album as a whole is pretty weak. There are some simply jock rock songs that are pretty terrible. The good points are really good, but unfortunately, the bad points are also really bad.

R

[Darth Kramer]

I was surprised when I got the email from iTunes saying it was available for download, as I didn't think it was supposed to come out until the end of June. Regardless, I think it's a good album. It's not Blue or Pinkerton, but it's better than Make Believe or Green. I'll put it on the level of Maladroit, which is pretty darn good! Now, I just have to reconfigure iTunes when I get home to get Pork & Beans to actually show up as part of the album...

[Patton]

I was surprised when I got the email from iTunes saying it was available for download, as I didn't think it was supposed to come out until the end of June. Regardless, I think it's a good album. It's not Blue or Pinkerton, but it's better than Make Believe or Green. I'll put it on the level of Maladroit, which is pretty darn good! Now, I just have to reconfigure iTunes when I get home to get Pork & Beans to actually show up as part of the album...

If you make your own tracklist using bonus songs and subtracting some of the other members' songs, you might like it better than Maladroit.

That's probably cheating though.

[Shepherd]

If you make your own tracklist using bonus songs and subtracting some of the other members' songs, you might like it better than Maladroit.

That's probably cheating though.

That's not a bad idea. There's quite a few good songs on the album, but also quite a few terrible ones.

R

[Patton]

I really love Pork and Beans, but I think the album as a whole is pretty weak. There are some simply jock rock songs that are pretty terrible. The good points are really good, but unfortunately, the bad points are also really bad.

R

What's "jock rock?"

I'm just trying to figure out if you mean stuff like Thought I Knew and Cold Dark World or stuff like Everybody Gets Dangerous and Troublemaker.

[Shepherd]

What's "jock rock?"

I'm just trying to figure out if you mean stuff like Thought I Knew and Cold Dark World or stuff like Everybody Gets Dangerous and Troublemaker.

It's mostly the lyrics that make me think that, "I'm the greatest and I'll woop your ass" kind of lyrics. Super lame. I imagine high school football teams listening to those songs to get ready for a game. So anyway, maybe "Cold Dark World," "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived," and "King" (from the bonus tracks).

R

[Patton]

That's not a bad idea. There's quite a few good songs on the album, but also quite a few terrible ones.

R

Thankfully they gave us enough bonus tracks to make a pretty decent 10-11 song album. Here's mine:

Troublemaker
The Greatest Man...
Pork and Beans
Dreamin'
Everybody Get Dangerous
Heart Songs
Pig
The Spider
Miss Sweeney
I Can Love
The Angel and the One

[Patton]

It's mostly the lyrics that make me think that, "I'm the greatest and I'll woop your ass" kind of lyrics. Super lame. I imagine high school football teams listening to those songs to get ready for a game.

R

I get what you're saying. It comes off that way but if you delve into the lyrics, none of the songs are really like that.

[Shepherd]

Thankfully they gave us enough bonus tracks to make a pretty decent 10-11 song album. Here's mine:

Troublemaker
The Greatest Man...
Pork and Beans
Dreamin'
Everybody Get Dangerous
Heart Songs
Pig
The Spider
Miss Sweeney
I Can Love
The Angel and the One

Not a bad list. I'm going to listen a few more times until I narrow it down to what I like. I've still only listened to it once through so far.

R

[Shepherd]

I get what you're saying. It comes off that way but if you delve into the lyrics, none of the songs are really like that.

I'll give the songs another listen, but I was really unimpressed by a lot of them on the first pass through.

R

[Darth Kramer]

My initial impression of the album is that about half of the tracks would have been much stronger if they were about a minute shorter. When "King" started, I thought it was great, then by about the 3.5 minute mark, I just was waiting for it to be over...

[bartleby]

So is it worth the extra $2 for the deluxe edition?

[Patton]

So is it worth the extra $2 for the deluxe edition?

Yes. Miss Sweeney is worth 2 dollars by itself. Plus, there's a badass booklet if you're into that sort of thing.

[seanmichaelclark]

this album's a grower. i hated it my first time through. it's good stuff though.

[bartleby]

Yes. Miss Sweeney is worth 2 dollars by itself. Plus, there's a badass booklet if you're into that sort of thing.

I :heart: booklets.

[Patton]

My initial impression of the album is that about half of the tracks would have been much stronger if they were about a minute shorter. When "King" started, I thought it was great, then by about the 3.5 minute mark, I just was waiting for it to be over...

The first time I heard them, the other members' songs sounded okay. But now, I can't stand them.

On an unrelated note, I Can Love is one of the best songs Weezer's done in a while. The production is kinda terrible though. But if they had produced it and put it on this album it would have been amazing.

[seanmichaelclark]

I :heart: booklets.

i'm pouring over this one like i haven't done since highschool.

[seanmichaelclark]

The first time I heard them, the other members' songs sounded okay. But now, I can't stand them.

On an unrelated note, I Can Love is one of the best songs Weezer's done in a while. The production is kinda terrible though. But if they had produced it and put it on this album it would have been amazing.

i believe both those itunes songs are demos from the make believe era. makes me wonder what we missed out on......

[Patton]

i believe both those itunes songs are demos from the make believe era. makes me wonder what we missed out on......

When did Make Believe come out? I think they're from 2003.

Lyrically I Can Love is pretty standard, maybe a bit above Green Album stuff. But the melody kills.

It's Easy is not terrible. It's certainly better than Thought I Knew though, similar to how King is better than Cold Dark World.

They're capable of making good/great music. They just need to be better at realizing what's good and what's not.

[seanmichaelclark]

make believe came out in 05 and maladroit came out in 02, so that's about right on the timeline. although i think in 03 they were pretty much posting all their demos on their website and i don't remember hearing either of these then.

[mkecub]

Just wanted to let people know that Pinkerton is available as a download today at Amazon for $1.99. The whole album. If you don't own this, do it now!

Oh, and don't forget to click the link on the board to get there!

[Gordon Chumway]

Just wanted to let people know that Pinkerton is available as a download today at Amazon for $1.99. The whole album. If you don't own this, do it now!

Oh, and don't forget to click the link on the board to get there!

I wish they would do a deluxe edition of Pinkerton, I don't have any of those B-sides.

[Glixy]

I wish they would do a deluxe edition of Pinkerton, I don't have any of those B-sides.

Is Matt Sharp back in the band yet? Can someone make this happen?

[Mylazycat]

I got this today and love it, love it, love. Fuck, yeah, this is an awesome album!

[MicahO]

The new album is amazing. Heart songs is so elucidating, Dark Cold World is alot more of what I'd expect considering his music tastes. Thought I Knew is a great departure from the "Rivers" sound; it fills my "Special Goodness" needs although it sounds like he's channeling Butch Walker in parts.

[Patton]

Weezer teaches you how to play their songs for the hootenanny tour:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36216578

If you're in these cities, and play an instrument, you should try to go because it sounds like they're gonna record/release it.


TUES JUNE 17: Phoenix!
Thursday 6/19: Portland, OR!
Friday 6/20: San Francisco, CA!
Saturday 6/21: Seattle, WA!
Monday 6/23: Los Angeles!

[silverboy]

I wish they would do a deluxe edition of Pinkerton, I don't have any of those B-sides.

I was hoping they'd continue releasing Deluxe Editions on the 10th anniversary of the albums, but it looks like they don't think Pinkerton deserves the privilege.