The Official WEEZER Thread

[King Of Nowhere]

There doesn't seem to be one (or maybe there is, bloody search function...) & i've noticed a lot of Zoners enjoy their music, so here it is.


So to kick start the thread...

Over on Rivers's youtube page, he's been running Lets Write A Sawng for the last month or so.
Basically, he's writing a song with youtube users, the users are coming up with the name, lyrics, backing tracks etc.
He's doing it in steps.
Steps 1 & 2
Step 3
Step 3b
Step 4
Steps 5 & 6?

So, erm, discuss.

[Lord Voldemoo]

I didn't see a Weezer thread either, i think we're safe...

Cool idea!! I wish i had some sort of artistic talent....

[stereosforgeeks]

Preview of the new single Pork n Beans.

Apparently asked for another song to be tacked onto the new album and for it to be more radio friendly. Pork n Beans is the result. It sounds sort of Blue album-y, but without hearing more context it seems unremarkable.

[stereosforgeeks]

Weezer were a big part of my musical youth, but I haven't been a fan of anything post Pinkerton. Make Believe is the best thing they've put out since, but has been lost in the fold since it's release.

[Vegeta]

Love, love, love Weezer. I am shocked that (missing Zoner?) El Scorcho never started a thread. Regardless, one is long overdue. Seen them several times in concert, incredibly fun band!

[Fried Gold]

What with Blue and Pinkerton being as close to my own personal perfect albums, they need a thread.

[King Of Nowhere]

Now with poll!

[tapehead]

Almost voted Pinkerton, love the first two albums, and green a little, seen them play twice, will give anything Rivers Cuomo gives a listen, although I'm getting more critical I still think it's just a matter of time 'til they do something wonderful again.

[stereosforgeeks]

although I'm getting more critical I still think it's just a matter of time 'til they do something wonderful again.

That's what I keep telling myself!

[tapehead]

It's funny, I was just thinking, weezer was the first band I ever heard called 'emo', and I guess in a few ways they are the prototype, although the term sort of means something else now.

[stereosforgeeks]

It's funny, I was just thinking, weezer was the first band I ever heard called 'emo', and I guess in a few ways they are the prototype, although the term sort of means something else now.

Man it's funny how that label has changed *sigh*. I will not ramble on the evolution of the term, however.

Hum was the first band I heard described as emo.

[Keepcoolbutcare]

Sunny Day Real Estate

eta: but, once the term was coined, there was obviously some attention then paid to proto-typical "emo" acts, the acts whose sounds and motif may have influenced a nascent "emo" in it's arms, loved, nurtured, and cared for the little bastard, only to see it grow into a sullen, whiny, blame others for their misfortune cuntflapping bitch.

[burlivesleftnut]

I never really got into them until the Green album, and I loved it. That got me listening to all of their stuff. I look forward to each album, but the last one was teh suk.

[Vicarious]

Love, love, love Weezer. I am shocked that (missing Zoner?) El Scorcho never started a thread. Regardless, one is long overdue. Seen them several times in concert, incredibly fun band!

I guess this is as good a place as any to confess that I am/was El Scorcho.

I haven't posted here much here in the last year or so (I think I was banned for starting pointless threads over 2 years ago), but I still love Weezer. The last two albums were missteps, but I look forward to Red.

And I don't like Ann Coulter. I have no idea where that came from.

[dablunt89]

I always thought the first emo band was the smiths. Sure they weren't the classic high pitched whiny voiced punk rockers but they sure loved them some self pity.

[dablunt89]

huh I didn't expect Pinkerton to beat out their first album. While I love pinkerton their first one just has the hooks, the self-conscious geek appeal and the clean cut pop sounds down to a science. Pinkerton is definitley a more mature album, and across the sea is thier cutest song by far, but blue album is what always made weezer what they were (and hopefully will be again...fingers crossed!)

[Maui]

Where I come from isn't all that great
My automobile is a piece of crap
My fashion sense is a little whack
And my friends are just as screwy as me


This actually describes me perfectly and one of my preferred Weezer ditties.

[stereosforgeeks]

I always thought the first emo band was the smiths. Sure they weren't the classic high pitched whiny voiced punk rockers but they sure loved them some self pity.

First emo band was probably rites of spring back when "emo" meant emtoional hardcore.

Which then flowed into Nation of Ulysses, Still Life, Clikitat Ikatowi, and many others. Then came the SDRE era of emo with Get Up Kids, Texas Is The Reason, etc... Hot Water Music, Boy Sets Fire were around the same time and were more of mix of the latent hardcore and pop sensibilities... Then Thursday hits the scene with a more goth type emo and the pop punk decide that because they whine about girls they are emo too and you get all the nu-emo that touted today.

[King Of Nowhere]

bah, everyone knows that THEME FROM M*A*S*H was the 1st emo song.

[Fried Gold]

huh I didn't expect Pinkerton to beat out their first album. While I love pinkerton their first one just has the hooks, the self-conscious geek appeal and the clean cut pop sounds down to a science. Pinkerton is definitley a more mature album, and across the sea is thier cutest song by far, but blue album is what always made weezer what they were (and hopefully will be again...fingers crossed!)

I flip-flop between the two, but Pinkerton just happens to be the current one I listen to a lot.

The production of Pinkerton is pretty unique, and I've not heard another album sound quite like it.

[stereosforgeeks]

huh I didn't expect Pinkerton to beat out their first album. While I love pinkerton their first one just has the hooks, the self-conscious geek appeal and the clean cut pop sounds down to a science. Pinkerton is definitley a more mature album, and across the sea is thier cutest song by far, but blue album is what always made weezer what they were (and hopefully will be again...fingers crossed!)

I flip-flop between the two, but Pinkerton just happens to be the current one I listen to a lot.

The production of Pinkerton is pretty unique, and I've not heard another album sound quite like it.

The songs are a bit more experimental too, which is why it got my vote.

[tapehead]

Agreed on all counts, I voted for blue 'cos it's never made me wince, and there's a couple weaker tracks on the later album for me, though both are great.

[King Of Nowhere]

huh I didn't expect Pinkerton to beat out their first album. While I love pinkerton their first one just has the hooks, the self-conscious geek appeal and the clean cut pop sounds down to a science. Pinkerton is definitley a more mature album, and across the sea is thier cutest song by far, but blue album is what always made weezer what they were (and hopefully will be again...fingers crossed!)

Pinkerton has the geeky, self-conscious thing going on too.
Particularly El Scorcho.
Not just the first verse with "god dam you 1/2 Japanese girls do it to me every time...", or the second verse with the ECW & Greenday references, but the bridge (is it the bridge? i gotta listen to the song again) with "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 you give me a minute, just come up to me and say hello...".

Lyrics like that make Pinkerton the album i relate to the most.

It's like, fuck, how more open could he have been about what's going on in his head? It's simple yet right on the point.
Getchoo too, it's straight to the point from the get go.

[Fried Gold]

but the bridge (is it the bridge? i gotta listen to the song again)

I believe it called the "middle eight".

[JpPrewitt789]

I love playing Say it Aint So on Rock Band.

I once had a dream where their song "Hash Pipe" was playing the entire time in the background. I woke up and listenend to the song about 20 times in a row.

[Vegeta]

Well, i had to go with the Blue Album. Pinkerton was a very close second, though. The other three are okay, but the first two are stellar.

[King Of Nowhere]

but the bridge (is it the bridge? i gotta listen to the song again)

I believe it called the "middle eight".

Thanks.

As a musician & songwriter, i should really know this shit.

[Fried Gold]

New album out late June:



That's right....The Red Album.

And that new single's pretty good, very much sounding more akin to the Pinkerton style.

[King Psyz]

so stoked on the red album...

I hope they tour to support it

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

New album out late June:



That's right....The Red Album.

And that new single's pretty good, very much sounding more akin to the Pinkerton style.

Loving the red! Can't wait to hear this, especially if it is similar to Pinkerton as you say the single is dude.

Rivers looks fucking scary though Brian looks like he should join Kings Of Leon

[King Psyz]

I think Pork & Beans sounds more like something off the Blue album than Pinkerton myself. But I am very curious Red album now.

[Fried Gold]

Of the nine tracks I've heard so far, it is a very diverse collection of music. There are hints of sounding like Blue album and Pinkerton, but then other parts go off on a tangent towards other influences.

"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" could possibly be one of the best songs they've written.

[Vegeta]

Cool, looking very much forward to the red album! The cover is awesome!

[tapehead]

"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" could possibly be one of the best songs they've written.

It's very good, I love River's hip hop stylings and it grows to rock-opera proportions over five and a half minutes to rival the pompousity of the Beach Boys, Queen and Radiohead "If you don't like it, you can shove it! but you don't like it, you LOVE it!' - but at the same time, that 'Angel Girl / Cold Dark World' track could sink a lesser band for good, it's fucking weak.

[Vegeta]

Love, love, love Weezer. I am shocked that (missing Zoner?) El Scorcho never started a thread. Regardless, one is long overdue. Seen them several times in concert, incredibly fun band!

I guess this is as good a place as any to confess that I am/was El Scorcho.

I haven't posted here much here in the last year or so (I think I was banned for starting pointless threads over 2 years ago), but I still love Weezer. The last two albums were missteps, but I look forward to Red.

And I don't like Ann Coulter. I have no idea where that came from.

Apparently you like Tool as well

[Fried Gold]

"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" could possibly be one of the best songs they've written.

It's very good, I love River's hip hop stylings and it grows to rock-opera proportions over five and a half minutes to rival the pompousity of the Beach Boys, Queen and Radiohead "If you don't like it, you can shove it! but you don't like it, you LOVE it!'

It's a smorgasbord of styles and influences - rap, rock, choral, falsetto, crooning, metal - yet all tied with that main hook, which I keeps popping back into my head at the moment.

- but at the same time, that 'Angel Girl / Cold Dark World' track could sink a lesser band for good, it's fucking weak.

That song I don't mind too much, although I agree it isn't as strong. The one that bothers me is "Thought I Knew" which is really only b-side quality stuff and doesn't seem to fit.

[doglips]

P/F says Interscope have pushed the release date forward, so all you Weezers will be able to get this June 3rd instead of the 24th now.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

Some first impressions, after 3 complete listens.

1. Troublemaker - while being similar to previous Weezer tracks, this feels like something different. I don't know why! A good pop tune, very catchy and it sits just fine in their catalogue. Thumbs up. 3/5

2. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived - erm...okay, this track threw me initially. I'm not a hip-hop fan so Rivers rockin' the mic didn't exactly thrill, but upon repeat listens, it works just fine in the context of the whole track. Gotta agree with Fried Gold on this one - could be one of the best things they've ever written. Could be. Think it would be better placed at the end of the album though, would be an awesome closing track. 4/5

3. Pork and Beans - reminds me of some of the better tracks from Maladroit. Decent rock number, very much a single. Following 'Greatest Man That...' though it feels really out of place on the record. It's not one of Weezer's best IMO but it's a fun listen. 3/5

4. Heart Songs - Weezer channeling Elliott Smith?! I like Some very sweet harmonies, love the lyrics and the instrumentation is just right. The opening guitar riff is reminiscent of 'Say It Ain't So', and I like the mirroring there. 4/5

5. Everybody Get Dangerous - it's a damn fine riff, but the lyrics are just too stupid for my tastes. They're not witty self referential, like 'Mo Beats' from the August 2002 Demos, they just come across as something Rivers tossed off in an afternoon. It's a shame, cos the middle eighth is lush musically. 2/5

6. Dreamin' - despite coming across as a b-side, this is a really sweet tune! Reminds me of the lighter moments on Pinkerton or something as fun and upbeat as 'Island In The Sun'. Probably one of my favourites on this album, classic Weezer sound and very memorable. 4/5

7. Thought I Knew - this sounds like something one of these popular emo bands might spin out. Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Bollocks, whatever band you want to pick. Seriously unimpressed by this one and I don't think it's a track I'd often revisit. Nice little guitar solo, but it doesn't make up for the fact this sounds like an intruder on a Weezer record. 2/5

8. Cold Dark World - a good tune, a good sound. But sadly it's pretty standard fare and doesn't sound finished IMO. Similar feeling about this as I had with 'Troublemaker' - good song, like it, but nothing special. 3/5

Overall, what I've heard so far (still missing last 2 tracks) suffers from the same problem Make Believe did - a few great songs scattered amongst mediocre material, making the overall album feel uneven. It doesn't flow as a single record with a single vibe, in the way that Pinkerton or The Green Album did so well. Will get a better feel for the thing when I have the missing tracks, but right now I'd place The Red Album in the rankings as so:

1. Pinkerton
2. Weezer (Blue Album)
3. 4.5 (August 2002 Demos)
4. Weezer (Green Album)
5. Maladroit
6. Weezer (Red Album) / Make Believe

Don't let the rankings fool you though - it's simply order of preference. Weezer have yet to make an out-and-out shite album. This is not a shite album, it's simply hampered by some mediocre tracks, just as Make Believe was.

[Nordling]

I fucking love these new songs. "Greatest Man That Ever Lived" straddles that line between stupid and clever like a stripper on a pole. "Heart Songs" is very poignant, and the bit about NEVERMIND actually made my eyes glisten a little bit. "Troublemaker" is a lot of fun, and "Pork And Beans" is too, although they're essentially about the same thing. All the songs I've heard so far throw off a "Don't fuck with me and my badass jams" vibe.

[Vicarious]

The Pork and Beans video is attracting quite a bit of attention on Youtube, for obvious reasons...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI

[stereosforgeeks]

The Pork and Beans video is attracting quite a bit of attention on Youtube, for obvious reasons...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI

It's a funny video until you realize it will be obsolete in ohh say 14 more seconds.

[King Psyz]

it will be a nice time capsule though...

like the buddy holly video

[Seppuku]

I actually far prefer that Let's Write a Sawng track Cuomo wrote with the Youtubers to Pork & Beans.

[stereosforgeeks]

it will be a nice time capsule though...

like the buddy holly video

the buddy holly is atleast ridiculously specific and speaks to multiple generations.

This video no one will remember half the references in a couple months let alone years.

[Seppuku]

Yeah, it's definitely the Shrek of music videos.

[Vegeta]

But, they are totally paying tribute to Toshiro Lucas in teh video, no? What with all the light saber play.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

I'm enjoying the hell out of the video. I think it works so well because they aren't making fun of the YouTube people. Bonus points for lightsaber drumsticks.

[Nordling]

After listening to the complete album now, I'm pretty convinced this is their best album to date.

[Worst Part's Almost Over]

After listening to the complete album now, I'm pretty convinced this is their best album to date.

Why?

[Nordling]

The songcraft is the best I've heard yet. "The Angel And The One" may be the best song they ever wrote. It's beautiful, and it builds from a simple melody to something rather epic. I think the honesty that people love about PINKERTON is back. There's a lot of cock-swagger songs too, but they're definitely tongue-in-cheek and "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" is just brilliantly stupid/clever.

Music is the most subjective medium there is, in my opinion. Different songs strike different emotions in people. And this album feels like coming home to me.