Pinkerton, Weezer Review by: Tyler Dumont Rating Options

[Andres]

WEEZER
Pinkerton

Submitted by: Tyler Dumont

After the success of Weezer's first self titled album, or "The Blue Album" as fans affectionately call it, frontman singer/songwriter/musical genius Rivers Cuomo went into hiding. Well, he grew a beard. Enrolled at Harvard for his first semester, Rivers would constantly become full of pain due to a leg brace that he had to crank a half an inch to lengthen one leg. Who'd want to go out after that? Clearly not Rivers. Needless to say, he became a recluse and painted his walls and windows black. He even disconnected his phone, and in this room which many would consider depressing and uninspiring, Rivers wrote the best and most relatable songs he'd ever written.

Songs about being lovelorn and lost. Songs about being tired of groupie sex, then wanting to get back to the "good life". Songs about wanting a girl whom you can't have, all layed over beautiful vocals, distorted angry guitars, pounding drums, melodies, and climaxes. A line from the song "El Scorcho" states the whole mood of the album: "How stupid is it? I can't talk about it, I gotta sing about it and make a record of my heart. How stupid is it? won't ya give me a minute? just come up to me and say hello to my heart. How stupid is it? For all I know you want me to, maybe you just don't know what to do, or maybe you're scared to say 'i'm falling for you' "

Sound familiar? this is the palate most of today's emo-rock bands, and you'd think this album would a smash it, right? Wrong. Pinkerton was way ahead of it's time. Like "voted 2nd worst album of 1996 in rolling stone" ahead of it's time

After this, Rivers became very depressed, and the band went on hiatus. In the years following the hiatus emo-rock had gotten popular, and Pinkerton was now a "cult-classic". Rolling Stone Magazine recently re-reviewed it and gave it 5 stars and put it in their hall of fame.

So you're looking for something you can relate to? Well, from the raunchy solos and rock of "Tired of Sex", to the beautiful acoustic album closer "Butterfly", Pinkerton's rollercoaster ride is right for you.

[greendaykicksbal...]

yea...ive lsitened to the full album a few times, not liking it 100% of the time... (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/down.gif) yea...not a big weezer fan....

[Lotus Eater]

Yeah, it's not the kind of thing you can listen to all the time, but it can be fucking great if you're in the right mood. I agree that the songwriting on this album is the best of any Weezer album.

[¿Whatsername?]

yea...ive lsitened to the full album a few times, not liking it 100% of the time... (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/down.gif) yea...not a big weezer fan....

I hear you...
The only songs I like are El Scorcho, Good Life, and occasionally I listen to Butterfly.

[greenday=love]

weezer is okay i defintaly agree you have to be in the right mood to listen to these songs but its okay when you are.

[dookiehead]

The Good Life is probably my favourite Weezer song of all time, but this isn't even close to being my favourite album of theirs. It is good, and the lyrics are probably the best, but it's just difficult to get into.

Everyone says it's their best, but it just doesn't really click for me.

[xBasKetxCaSex]

.. i didnt read the whole thing through.
but Pinkerton is a book series for kids about a great dane type dog (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/laugh.gif)
i used to love those books.

weezer.. i really have to be in the right mood to listen to

[Greenforaday101]

This album is in my top 5 albums of all time.
I don't need to be in the right mood for it.
The songwriting is just fantastic.

EDIT: "Across the sea" is the greatest song rivers ever wrote.

This post has been edited by Greenforaday101: Jul 25 2006, 02:56 AM

[kelsey.]

This CD brings me back to my 8th grade year. I had a two month Weezer binge. Seriously.

[Angel Andres]

Pinkerton?

[inpoyeija]

not my favorite album, but i still love it (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/wub.gif)

[queen_for_a_day0...]

Weezer has 2 be one of my favourite bands and I really love pinkerton it is a good album, it is better than their new album and the Green Album. If i had to put their albums in order of favouratism i would put:
1. Blue Album
2.Pinkerton
3. Maladoit
4. Green Album
5. Make Believe

I think that Weezer r a very unique band, they have a different sound which enticed me into listening to them. On Pinkerton I luv El Schorcho, Pink Triangle, Tired Of Sex and Getchoo on this album. I think it is great and it you haven't listened to it I recommend that you do. (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/thumbsup.gif)

[Another Urchin]

There's something delightfully pathetic about Pinkerton. Its raw, unpolished, and Rivers Cuomo is completely and honestly open about what he is feeling. His sincerity helps you relate to him in what could easily seen as whiny bitching. Songs like Good Life and El Scorcho are just fun. Pink Triangle is great as well (you can't tell whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him).

In the Blue Album, I felt like Weezer put the most effort into every song. Pinkerton doesn't work like that. It works by being simple and honest. While not every song is unforgetable, I think it ends up being a strong album.

[Girl_Rage_And_Lo...]

This album is in my top 5 albums of all time.
I don't need to be in the right mood for it.
The songwriting is just fantastic.

EDIT: "Across the sea" is the greatest song rivers ever wrote.

i totally agree with you!!!!
love every song on it and i can't find words for across the sea...best song ever

and el scorcho...i asked you to go to the green day concert...yeah...i start to smile everytime i hear that line

[No Man Can Eat F...]

There's something delightfully pathetic about Pinkerton. Its raw, unpolished, and Rivers Cuomo is completely and honestly open about what he is feeling. His sincerity helps you relate to him in what could easily seen as whiny bitching. Songs like Good Life and El Scorcho are just fun. Pink Triangle is great as well (you can't tell whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him).

In the Blue Album, I felt like Weezer put the most effort into every song. Pinkerton doesn't work like that. It works by being simple and honest. While not every song is unforgetable, I think it ends up being a strong album.

Wow. Nice critique my friend. (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/cool.gif) I couldn't agree with you more.


And I'm currently obsessed with this album. (IMG:style_emoticons/dark/happy.gif)

[Juan]

This record is incredible, it's just all honesty and rawness into 30 minutes of music, My favorite weezer album for sure

[IAmARevenant]

"Pinkerton" is by a mile one of the most uncomfortable records I've ever listened to front to back. It was so uncomfortable an experience, I don't think I ever want to do it again. Even the few upbeat tracks are relentlessly and unapologetically harsh, nakedly emotional, and nearly a pain to listen to.

If you think I'm criticizing this album for these reasons, then you're wrong. The pain that this album is to listen to is not a pain that hurts; it's a pain that demands your attention, intrigues you, demonically interests you, and nevertheless makes you want, almost need, to hear the rest of the album; just because you really want to relate to Rivers Cuomo and understand his pain.

Besides all this, I can't say much about the album that hasn't already been said. But I will say this: If you had a gay ol' time listening to The Blue Album, or any other Weezer album, and are expecting anything similar, you'll be wrong.

5/5

[Quorx]

I've heard El Scorcho and Pink Triangle.

Great songs. I could listen to the first a dozen times over.

Now to find a place that sells it...

[Kate Austen]

This record is incredible, it's just all honesty and rawness into 30 minutes of music, My favorite weezer album for sure

I'm with you, easily their best record. For me, this is actually one of my all time fav albums. It's so raw and emotional. No wonder Cuomo took it so hard when people didn't receive it well. He literally was pouring his guts onto this record, it's one of the most personal records I have ever heard.

[Juan]

yo, early posts FTW, kinda. That's an old post, I was just entering this place. Anyway, I find this album to be a non-skipabble album, meaning, you just chill back and enjoy it, no filler whatsoever, every song is a good one, lovely album