Music Appreciation
Related: About this forum15 Reasons Why Weezer’s Blue Album Is One Of The Best Records Ever
Weezer have always been a band that divides opinion. From moustaches and ten gallon hats to round the world cruises, theyve never been a band to do things by the book. Each time a new album comes out, there seems to be a buzz about it being a return to form, with form being the brilliant Blue Album, Pinkerton or, at a push, the Green Album. Whilst the latter two do hold up as great albums, (especially Pinkerton, Tired of Sex, anyone?) its Weezers first effort, 1994s Blue Album that still holds a special place in every Weezer fans heart. If you havent heard it, heres why you should give it a spin. If you have heard it, heres why you should stick in on right now.
1. They sang about Superheroes before it was cool.
These days, everyone from Eminem to Alkaline Trio are dropping superhero references into their lyrics. Hollywood are to blame, I tell ya. Rivers Cumo, however, was somewhat of a trendsetter. In geek-anthem In the Garage Cumo sings,
Ive got the Dungeon Masters Guide/
Ive got a 12-sided die/
Ive got Kitty Pryde/
And Nightcrawler too/
Waiting there for me/
Yes I do, I do/
Its a fantastic ode to Geekery and unashamedly pursuing what you enjoy. Who gives a fuck about anything else when youre holed up in your garage with Dungeons and Dragons and X-men comics?
2. The first 2 seconds of Holiday.
That first little intro riff bursts with energy, excitement and happiness. Weezer are brilliant at little superfluities like this, and they make the album shine with a vibrancy that still resonates almost a decade later.
3. The lyrics to My Name Is Jonas.
It might just be me, but I dont really have a fucking clue what Cumos singing about here. Choo choo trains and builders? Its also quite possibly the only song to make people scream about drinking tea made by their grandma. God bless.
4. The unashamed insecurity of it all.
Say it aint so is a song which kicks a thousand types of arse, but at the base of it all is one mans insecurity. Somebodys heiney is crowding my icebox/somebodys cold one, is giving me chills/guess Ill just close my eyes. These fantastically understated verses erupt into one of the most powerful choruses to feature on any Weezer song, and it works fantastically.
5. The little trill in the first verse of Buddy Holly.
Again, this is one of those superfluities that elevate the album to the next level. It adds a new level of mystique to the verse, just who are these homies, and why are they fronting? Somethings brewing, and by the time we get to the bang bang, knocking on the door middle eight, we feel like weve been expecting this violent outburst from the beginning. Theres really no need for that de-du-du-du-du down on the 14th fret, but Cumo sticks it in and you instantly think fuck, thats cool.
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