Among the first five albums I bought (a group with also includes Green Day’s Dookie, Live’s Throwing Copper, the Led Zeppelin tribute Encomium, and Stone Temple Pilots Core), Weezer’s self titled “blue album” contained a slew of songs I adored. From Undone to Buddy Holly to Say it Ain’t So these songs peppered both radio and MTV. So, thinking it was nothing more than a “good investment” I bought the album.
What I didn’t intend is to actually like the songs that were not singles. I never expected Weezer to be outstanding or classic, but I was please to discover that most of what is contained on their 1994 debut is unquestionably entertaining and digested in small bits it could be considered to be one of the best albums of the years and better of the decade. With that said I do think that this album is overrated and that there are definitely better albums from better bands out there. I don’t mean to denigrate the fun and appeal of many of the tracks on The Blue Album, but at the same time it is imperative that listeners look far beyond the hype.
Weezer (aka The Blue Album) is not a classic to my mind—good yes, great (can I get a) hell no.
Founded by singer-songwriter-guitarist Rivers Cuomo, guitarist Brian Bell, bassist Matt Sharp, and drummer Patrick Wilson Weezer formed in 1993. Boasting pop melodies, indie/alt rock sensibilities, and producer Ric Ocasek (front man of The Cars) they soon recorded their debut. Based in part on video eye candy and the occasional gimmicky hook, Weezer made a huge Billboard splash in 1994. I must be honest here—I fell for the hoopla. Now, a decade later, I do still see the original appeal but much of what I once thought was “cool” is now “played out.” Weezer’s debut has not by and large stood the test of time.
That doesn’t however mean that I don’t recommend the album; I do. I just find that my attention wanders early and late while listening to The Blue Album. Not that anything is offensive, but there too many “blah” moments for my liking. I’ve said it before—an album cannot be great when it is populated by a few great songs surrounded by bittersweet fluff. To make matters worse, The Blue Album is exceptionally brief—ten tracks and less than forty minutes total. That amounts to very little time to get the point across.
The problems I find with Weezer’s debut are apparent from the very beginning. My Name is Jonas is a brash, acoustic-meets-electric alt-rock opus. I’m entertained particularly by the brief quiet moments but turned off by the droning melody and rather “heavy” sound. As with so much else on this album, I believe that My Name is Jonas could have been so much better with fewer electric guitars and more focus on the melody and Cuomo’s pop-punk voice. This isn’t a bad song, just a forgettable one. Weezer continues musically in a similar vein with No One Else. The band sings about hopes, wishes, and love—all topics too often lacking from music in the mid-1990’s. But not even this refreshing bit helps out the messy, chaotic, and grinding song.
The World Has Turned and Left Me Here is a better song. More concentration on vocals and melody make Weezer sound like a better rounded and less dated band. Though the album makes a definite turn for the better with Buddy Holly, a kitschy retro track. Even back when this was an uber-popular single I wasn’t sold entirely on its quality. Now I think it’s grown on me and ranks among the best on this album and is definitely worth hearing.
One of my two choices for “album best” is the uneasy Undone – The Sweater Song. A strange plucked electric guitar anchors Cuomo’s exuberant boyish voice. There is no question in my mind that this was a perfect choice for first single from The Blue Album. There’s nothing profound about the track (it is simply an analogy to lives falling apart), but this brand of off kilter fun is enough to make Undone memorable. As much as I love that song, I think it is Say It Ain’t So that speaks to me most. It showcases the band’s ability to change things up and to be different. In an era when the rock norm was grunge (or post grunge as the case may be), Weezer focused on melody and arrangement. It’s a fantastic song, easily my favorite.
Surf Wax America is unfortunately sandwiched between two amazing songs. It’s more of a punk (ala contemporary Green Day) track than anything; maybe not as thick or undecipherable, but still punk. There are better and worse moments on the album. In the Garage is also a decent track with the occasional harmonica thrown into the mix. The contrast between the sing-song melody and the dense guitars proves interesting. Unfortunately as The Blue Album wraps up I’m none too impressed. Neither Holiday nor Only in Dreams does anything for me. The former is fine at first but the repetitive nature rubs me the wrong way in the end. The latter is simply unremarkable.
I wish I had something more and/or better to say about this Weezer debut. I loved the band a decade ago and still enjoy some of the songs and all of the singles. However, the album on the whole just doesn’t do it for me. If you would like to hear some great alt/indie pop/rock music, may I suggest the Pixies (Doolittle and Surfer Rosa), Posies (Frosting on the Beater), Gomez (Bring It On and Liquid Skin), and Beck (Odelay and Mutations) to name a few. These acts and albums are much more satisfying in the long run.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. My Name is Jonas
02. No One Else
03. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
04. Buddy Holly
05. Undone – The Sweater Song
06. Surf Wax America
07. Say It Ain’t So
08. In the Garage
09. Holiday
10. Only in Dreams
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